Four to five times a year, the theatre department at Charlottesville High School hosts a student-based live event. These events are called Cabarets, and they feature a handful of CHS students who get to perform songs, dances, or skits in front of a live audience. The occasion is entirely run by the student-operated Thespian’s Council that helps the theater director, Mr. Becker, manage theater-related events.
Cabarets have been held at CHS for many years, and have given students the opportunity to show their talents in a way that does not require a large amount of commitment. All CHS students are welcome to perform or attend any of the various Cabarets that occur throughout the year. While songs are the most popular pieces to perform, there are also a large number of comedy sketches, skits, recitations, and dances. Any student is welcome to perform whatever they wish–with the exception of the Thespian’s Council shooting something down because it is too inappropriate or insensitive. Cabarets are completely free to attend and perform at, and are usually held from 7-8PM on Thursday nights in the Blackbox at CHS.
Ruby Hoier, a Sophomore at CHS who is in the Musical Theatre Ensemble class, has done three Cabarets. She has performed a mix of musical theatre ballads and some songs by her favorite artists at her past Cabarets. Her favorite song that she’s ever performed at a Cabaret is Nature Boy by Nat King Cole.
Cabarets are great opportunities for students to get to sing their favorite songs in front of a live audience. Ruby talks about how doing Cabarets has made her feel more comfortable on stage and better at performing in general. She says, “They’ve definitely helped me get out of my comfort zone, and they make my love for performing even stronger.”
On some occasions Cabarets have themes. For example, a Cabaret was held near Valentine’s Day last year and the event was love themed. Most of the performances followed that theme, and the Blackbox was decked out with Valentine’s decorations.
Collaborations are popular at Cabarets as well. A CHS senior named Olivia Colvin shared her experience of performing with friends: “I have done a Cabaret with multiple friends over the past few years. It was a great experience every time and it allowed me to get closer to whoever I was singing with. Even if I wasn’t their best friend, it created a stronger connection between the two of us.” In doing Cabarets, CHS students are able to work on their stage presence and practice performing. They also get the chance to make new friends and collaborate with other students on creative ideas.
The first Cabaret of this school year is on October first from 6-7PM. The sign up is through @theatre_chs on Instagram. In conversation with theatre director David Becker, he shares that Cabarets are “entirely student organized and allow every student in the building the opportunity to participate.” The Thespian’s Council, which organizes the Cabarets, is run by Co-Presidents Olivia Colvin and Georgia Downey. An official Cabaret organizer is usually selected before each Cabaret, and they take it upon themselves to plan and arrange the live performance and help the students who signed up.
If you are interested in performing at a Cabaret, contact Mr. Becker or consult the TheatreCHS Instagram for any questions you might have.
