Middle school students are at an age where they are discovering individuality, creativity, and responsibility. Many middle school students are beginning to develop distinctive talents such as dancing, singing, gymnastics, or playing a musical instrument. Allowing them to showcase these talents in a school wide show is an excellent and positive way to bring the year to a close.
Planning Committee for the Talent Show
Choose a student organization that can help plan the show. Typically, a student council can be the students in charge. If there is no student council, invite a few students who have expressed interest in performing to be the organizers. Recruit a few teachers and parents too, since there will be jobs for them as well. Hold weekly meetings with the student committee to keep them up-to-date on the progress and give them a chance to feel responsible for the performance.
Sign ups and Auditions for the Talent Show
A few weeks before auditions, place a sign up sheet on a teacher's door and invite students to sign up for the auditions. Sign ups must be completed by a specific date. When students sign up, be sure to give out a permission slip that announces the audition day and asks the parent to give permission for their child to attend.
Holding auditions sends the message that the talent show is serious and should not be taken lightly. Invite one student, one staff or administrator, and one teacher to be the judges. Give the judges a scoresheet and have them choose the acts who will perform. Ask students to come to the auditions prepared with music, instruments, or whatever necessary to perform.
Students who make it into the show should be given another permission slip that announces the dress rehearsal (if it's taking place after school,) and the show time. Encourage students who make the show to rehearse on their own so they are prepared for dress rehearsal.
Organize Student Responsibilities at a Dress Rehearsal
The week of the show, hold a dress rehearsal. Students must be prepared to perform, or should not be in the show. Run through the entire show from start to finish. Choose a student leader to MC the show, and give that student a script with the order of performers. When writing the order, be sure to mix up the acts so a variety of talents are showcased.
A student can also be the DJ and be responsible for changing music for students who are singing or dancing. Two or three students can be in charge of props and moving furniture between acts.
Involve Parents and Staff in the Performance
Invite teachers to put together an act. Students love to see teachers perform and a teacher act can be a fantastic and enthusiastic start to the show. Invite parents to help with flyers and publicity. School talent shows can also easily become fundraisers. Parents can help students sell tickets and help to donate the funds to an appropriate organization. Do allow students to have a say over where the money is donated.
Talent shows can either be for entertainment purposes only, or a panel of judges can decide the top three winners. Judges can be a student, teacher, and faculty member. Prizes can include cash, gift certificates, a plaque or trophy.
Students enjoy showcasing their individual talents at a school wide talent show. With excellent organization, the performance can be fun, entertaining, and a wonderful end to a semester or school year. Encourage student, parent, and staff participation, and the event will be a memorable one for the entire school community.
Sources:
Talent Shows for Fun and Fundraising
Sarahlynne Davis - Sarahlynne has been a professional educator for 8 years and a freelance writer for two years. She holds an MEd in Language, Literacy and ...
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