First Annual Cabaret Night

Loyola Academy students performed their first annual Cabaret Night on May 5. Cabaret is well known in the theater and arts community as an intimate performance that breaks through the “fourth wall” and enables actors to acknowledge and connect with the audience.
“Cabaret is all about storytelling,” explains Mr. Kevin Wood, adjunct voice faculty member. “If you don’t have a subtext or a back story to your lyrics then you aren’t doing it right.”

Students performed at the Glenview Rock House under the direction of Wood and Mr. Lennie Watts, an award winning singer, actor and director.

For most students, performing cabaret was a new experience so the advice of Watts, a professional in the field, was invaluable. “Getting feedback from another teacher is always important,” says Wood. “Students might hear the same thing, but in a different way. That helps the advice sink in.”

On the evening of the show, Glenview Rock House was full with parents and friends expecting to see a stellar show, and Wood thinks they got what they came for. “The students had been preparing for months,” he says. “The show was a huge success, and the support of this event was amazing.”

“Listening to the audience cheer after each performance was so rewarding because it showed that the hard work we did to make the night a great experience for everyone paid off,” recalls Emma Samuelson ’19.

Plans are underway for the second annual Cabaret Night. “I’ve already spoken with a female Broadway and cabaret star about being a part of the program, and she’s on board.” Wood explains. “It’s time to look at the calendar and get something scheduled!”
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