I told you all a little while back that the second grade was going to put on a talent show as a tie-in to our last language arts theme of the year, which was named, "Talent Show." We scheduled it during the last week of school for a few reasons: the grade level would be finished with the theme, the students would have sufficient time to practice, and we wouldn't get in trouble for taking away from "instructional time." (Our principal frowns on anything that takes away from classroom instruction; if we schedule a speaker or something, it must have a direct connection to the curriculum. Not that we would just waste time, but it's better to be on the safe side.) Moving on...
Permission slips were sent home during the second week of May; those who wished to participate had to send their forms back two weeks before the show date to give me time to double-check song lyrics (ALWAYS do this!), arrange performances, reserve the space, and make arrangements with the custodian for mikes, lights, etc. Even with the deadlines, there were some changes as late as the day before (lost slips so notes were sent in, people dropping out or changing what they were doing, etc. It was a little crazy for a minute there, but we got it all together.).
Talent show morning began as a scorcher. The show was scheduled to begin at 9:30 and last until 10:45-11:00. It was a humid 84 degrees at 8:45 when the children came in. Let's just say that once all six classes, teachers, and various family members were in the cafeteria/multipurpose room at showtime, the place was toasty, even with the doors open!
Any students who were performing came up the to cafeteria first so we could arrange them in the order they were going to be on stage. (Their classes came up later.) Then we could have one act on stage while another was getting ready and the third was "on deck." This way we could keep the flow going with a minimum of interruption. Once the children were finished, they came back and sat in their seat; we returned them back to their classes afterward.
We broke the show into three sections to allow for changes. (Some acts had mats or needed to have the area cleared, props put up, etc.) This also allowed our hosts (students from the classes) to have a break. In all we had about 30 performances, so the hosts introduced about 10, as well as our "laugh breaks." Laugh breaks are segments where two or three students tell jokes to the audience; our version of a commercial break.
Once we got started, things went along pretty smoothly. We had one student forget her dance routine in the middle of the song, but she came back later and started over. She rocked it! We also had quite a few singers (with music and a capella, solo and in small groups), some dancers, a few gymnasts, a pogo stick act, hula hoops, piano recitals, baton twirling, a comedy skit, a guitar act, sports demonstrations, cup stacking, and several students who created artwork for display (portraits and sculptures).
Overall, the show lasted just over an hour and a half, and we were able to get out of the cafeteria in time for kindergarten to get in and sing their farewell song for their parents. (It was a little hairy there for a minute; I wasn't sure we were going to make it!)
The children enjoyed the show and were able to show off all of their talents. I would say that if you plan to do this with your class or grade level, allow plenty of time for organizing and a few extra minutes in the show schedule to allow for little mishaps (because they will happen!).
In years past, we also provided refreshments after the show, but we didn't this year because it would have been cruel to keep the parents in that heat much longer! But if the idea floats your boat and the weather (or air conditioning) works for you, then go for it!
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