A variety of shows. One inspiration.

After much rescheduling, the Variety Show has finally been booked for April 26 and April 27 in the lecture hall from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. The show will feature performances by drill team, choir, various musical artists including the Heavy Feathers and MESA band, and Firebaugh Acting Club's play, "True Colors".

Here's our interview with co-director Alberto Leon:

What is a variety show?
"A variety show is a way for the students here at Firebaugh to perform and entertain the school with their own unique talents and skills in one show where everyone can see these talents all at once."

Who is hosting the show?
"The Firebaugh Acting Club will be hosting the show. We became a club a while back and organized the winter show last year and decided to do something different by making up a variety show where anybody at the school can perform in, even if it isn’t necessarily something that deals with acting."

What is the play "True Colors" going to be about?
"The show is really all about the different personalities and characters at any normal high school. You have the Harry Potter lovers, and the people who are really into sports, and also the people who maybe don’t think that school is the most interesting thing in the world, but we’re trying to find really common similarities and worth between all those different personas and find unity between all of them, and find out that they aren’t quite so different after all. Each character brings something to the table and we want to show how each character has an “outside” persona, the one that people see and perhaps judge, but we also want to show the “inside” persona of each character, the one that a lot of people don’t take time to understand and get to know -the real personality of a person- hence the name of the show, “True Colors”. (Duh!)"

How do you think the show will turn out, considering the time and energy put into it?
"I honestly have a lot of optimism and confidence in the show! We’ve put in a lot of time and effort into the show- we’ve been working on it since January! And all the acts are really working together to make this a great play for everyone to see. And I think one of the great and unique things of this show is that all the acts are connected in one way or another to the play itself and it feels like the whole show represents the unity that we wanted since the beginning. It’s going to be a great show. I think the only thing that would make the show better is if we got Adele! (she didn't respond back to our e-mails)"

We also were able to catch up with Ms. Thomas, the advisor:

What is a variety show?
"A variety show is a collection of rehearsed acts that come together under one theme. It includes drama, music, dance, or any other talent that students want to show, but don't think of it as a talent show because it is no competition."

How was the idea of making a variety show brought about?
"When I was in high school I was in a variety show all four years. It was the only thing I participated in and looked forward to because it was such an amazing event to bring artists together."

We heard Mrs. Damrel was the inspiration; tell us how you incorporated her spirit into the show.
"It sort of came out naturally; since she wanted the show, we made a role of an inspirational art teacher who remains unnamed but is a symbolic reference to our beloved Mrs. Damrel. This character is the inspiration to a grouchy teacher as well as many of the students that appear in the drama sketch."

How do you think the show will turn out to be?
"I think it will be absolutely amazing with all the effort and work that students put into it. There will be tears, laughter, and of course a warm fuzzy feeling at the end."

"True Colors" is a play written by our hard-working students to show that it's not easy dealing with reality, but remember to always, and no matter what, embrace who you really are.

So, that just about wraps it up. We hope to see you at the show! 'Till next time!