3 minute read
NEWS
The Playathon
West High’s traditional student led talent show in which any performer can participate.
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Clayton Bopp ‘22 performing his stand up comedy bit entitled “To Slay or not to Slay”.
04 NEWS MAY 26, 2022 Andreas Warren ‘24 singing and playing the guitar to the song ‘Heart Shaped Box’.
Emma Barker ‘22 singing “Dream a Little Dream of Me” between running the event.
Principle Gross acompanying the Jazz Combo on the tambourine.
JD Deninger ‘23 playing the trombone in the Jazz Combo.
BY SIGRID ROSSI
PHOTOS BY SIGRID ROSSI
West High has many students, teachers, and programs designed towards exploring the arts and showcasing artistic talent. From the plays and musicals West High’s theater program produces to the award winning show choir groups “Good Time Company” and “Showtime”, talent shines on a stage in every way. Student’s work hard all year to memorize their lines, explore their role, hit all the high notes, and nail the choreography required of them. That’s partially why West High students host a talent show of sorts where anybody can perform any kind of act, called the Playathon.
Every year, seniors involved with theater or the arts organize the event for family and friends. Then, they pass the responsibility of the event onto a couple of people in the grade below them. Amelia Douglas ‘24, a participant in the Plaything describes it as, “a fun little get together at the end of the year where people can show off their talents.” Zoe Nolte ‘22, a senior who organized the Playathon this year described the purpose of the tradition as “[an event] just to give people more people opportunities to perform.” During more formal performances like the school musical, students have the pressure of going through the audition process knowing there are limited roles in the performance. If students do get cast in the production, they may experience stress all the way up until the final bow especially performing for such a large audiences. However, the Playathon offers the stage up to anyone that’s willing to perform, with no strict guidelines of what students can and can’t perform. “I think it means a lot because it’s a lot more low key tha like if you had to audition for like the swing show”, Nolte says when asked how valuable the Playathon is to students. The event provides performers with complete artistic freedom with little to no stress. Nolte continues, “If you want to just like do like a funny little song with your friends, you can it and it’s no stress.” Artists also feel less pressure because they are performing for mostly family and friends.
“Whether it’s singing, dancing, playing an instrument or even a comedy skit, it’s just a fun opportunity,” Douglas wrote. In short, the Playathon is a celebratory event of all kinds of artists at West High, for all who are willing to participate. And if you missed your chance to perform in at this year, sign up for the next Playathon to keep the tradition alive!
-AMELIA DOUGLAS ‘24
Martin Briar ‘24 singing and playing the piano in honor of her grandfather.
Seniors (left) Emmar Barker ‘22, Zoe Nolte ‘22 and Kira Jones ‘22 organizing the event, viewing the performances
MAY 26, 2022 NEWS 05
