On Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16, 150 CVR students from the dance, drama, music and performing arts classes of grades 10 and 11 took to the stage for “A Rockin’ Cabaret.”
The variety of the different numbers in the show epitomized just how diverse the term Rock and Roll can be. The Directors’ Note in the show’s program summed up this aspect best when they quoted the Billy Joel lyrics: “Hot funk, cool punk, even if it’s old junk … Next phase, new wave, dance craze, anyways … Everybody’s talking ‘bout the new sound – Funny, but it’s still rock and roll to me.” This eclectic scope of the theme ensured that there was something for everyone- both in terms of the students connecting with it as well as the audience members (many of whom were singing along with the music throughout the show- even with the music that the tech crew put on during the transitions of the show).
Reflecting on how they decided on a theme, the directors all say that it emerged from the students. Drama teacher, Dawna Babin says looking back, “I don’t think we could have picked a better theme for this group. They loved it, they’re all rockers at heart!” The directors stress that what it all boils down to is that it was a student-generated show where the students are given the reins and the teachers help by offering them guidance. Babin continued, “If you want them to feel passion … it’s got to come from them.” That mentality was embraced in every aspect of the show and with the dedicated tech crew (working with a host of new lighting equipment that was installed prior to the show) lent their talents to showcase the passion that exuded from students who were both on stage and the array of talented musicians whose instruments were set up directly below the stage.
It was a bittersweet experience: For the grade 11 students it was their last time taking the stage together, as Danielle Renaud summed up their sentiment saying, “It’s sad to see it all be done and over with.” Whereas for the grade 10 students, for many of them, it was their first time on stage and it gave them a taste of what they can expect when they get to grade 11 next year. The teachers were also excited to get a glimpse of the talent that will be coming to them next year for the much anticipated annual performing arts production as well as Cabaret again.
The sense of camaraderie that being a part of the show cultivated within the students is undeniable as by the end of the year they are left feeling like a family—a common theme that has emerged from the performances throughout the years at the high school. It encourages teamwork and supporting each other in a way that makes principal, Brigitte Barrette, proud: “We do great stuff working together. You can’t row your boat alone, you need to craft a vision and work together and I feel like at CVR that’s what we’ve accomplished.”
A selection of graduating students express their gratitude at being able to be a part of the shows at CVR, especially when they are aware that not many other schools get such opportunities. Serena Berthiaume used to go to another high school and says that her friends from there come to see her in all of the shows and admit that they are a little jealous of the performing arts program at CVR. It is not something the CVR students take for granted as they recall with pride just how much they have evolved since first starting the classes. Marissa Moissan echoed what the others felt as she said: “I’m a lot more open and am more myself. I remember at the beginning, I was super shy … it really helped me to open up and be more comfortable.” As the teachers discuss how they have witnessed the progression of the students throughout the year, Lynn Harpers says: “That’s what it’s all about: uncovering student potential that they had no idea they have.”
