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“I’ve been very impressed with the talent shown in the auditions. These kids are good in classroom situations, but when you get to see them in solo situations, it just blows you away,” Jones said. There will be singing, dancing and even a demonstration of speed stacking with cups from a third grader.
“It (the speed stacking) is pretty impressive apparently they have competitions all around the nation,” noted Jones.
Jones said the potential of many of her students is obvious and exciting. “I can hardly wait until some of these kids get into high school,” she added.
Preparation for the variety show began in June when the school newsletter mentioned the upcoming show and urged those interested to hone their acts for the fall.
“The students created and developed their acts at home. As far as I know no teachers helped them, but I’m sure many of the students got help from their parents.
“There were auditions for the show, but since we accepted everyone, those were more for getting the kids used to performing in front of others,” Jones reported.
Fourth grader Nick Miller will be playing a song on the piano. “I’m going to be doing The Hippo and the Rhino’, ” he said.
Miller has already performed once in public (at the La Crosse Public Library) and he doesn’t think he’ll suffer from stage fright. “I’m not nervous because I’ve got the song almost memorized,” Miller said.
Tianna Sackett, also a fourth grader, thinks she’ll probably be nervous but sees a bright side to that situation. “I’ll be in the second act of the night so I can get it done and then watch the rest of the show,” she said.
Sackett and her twin sister, Tierra will be singing “I Will Survive.”
“We had a karaoke machine at home and my mom bought CDs for it. That’s our favorite song so we know it pretty well,” Sackett said. She also noted that one of the reasons she’s looking forward to this show is that she had a small singing part in a previous show at the Heider and really enjoyed it.
Jones says that she is encouraging other students to do as Tianna is planning and stick around for all the other acts. “I think it will be a great night to watch, plus the other students in the program will be watching (after they perform) so it should build a sense of camaraderie,” she said.
“We are asking audience members to bring a food item to donate to the local food pantry for the performance they’re especially in need of canned fruit and peanut butter,” Jones said.
Jones is clearly pumped for the show: “I’ve seen so much talent from these kids! We’re lucky to have such great students in this school they’re excited to be able to perform for others and help people in the community at the same time.”
Contact Michael Martin at mike.martin@lee.net or 786-6813.
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Variety Show put on by West Salem Elementary School students
WHERE: Marie W. Heider Center for the Arts, West Salem
WHEN: Tuesday, October 14 at 7 p.m.
ADMISSION: A donated food item to the West Salem Community Care and Share Food Pantry.
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