NC Standing Ovation put on their first ever Variety Show November 9 and 10. Drama Board members senior Jordan Hicks, junior Hope Kutsche, junior Isabella Keaton, and sophomore Deandre Mallory directed the show together to encourage more students to step onto the stage. With only two rehearsals, the shows went on without a hitch both nights. Audience members enjoyed the thirteen spectacular acts, which ranged from stand-up comedians to solo singers.

Hosts Keaton and Hicks told their own love story as they moved from act to act. Keaton, constantly annoyed by Hicks’ flirting, dodged past each punchline as the acts continued on. Until Keaton finally opened up about her feelings, Hicks used every trick in the book to get her attention.

“Hosting this show was so much fun since I was doing it with a good friend, and we performed an amazing skit we both came up with,” Hicks said.

The show opened with freshman Ryan LaPierre’s stand-up comedy skit. The audience could not contain themselves when LaPierre told the story of his first trip to the principal’s office in elementary school.

Before the announcement of the 15-minute intermission, the audience saw a glimpse of the NC dancers from Great Gig Dance Company. Sophomore Ashley Skaggs, freshman Morgan Hill, freshman Kayleigh Everhart, and freshman Taylor Baul danced to “Rolex” by Ayo and Teo.

“I decided to join Variety Show because I thought it would be a good opportunity to be a part of a school performance and Drama Club,” Hill said.

After audience members returned from intermission, the lights turned off and sophomore Taylor Catlin stepped onstage. Catlin lit up the stage with her light show and left audience members in awe. Bringing creativity to the stage, she put on a poi dance to “Fireflies” by Owl City. Originally performed with fire, Catlin improvised with poi balls that lit up in different colors.

“I wanted to be a part of something and show off my skill because it’s not something you would usually see outside of an event or talent show,” Catlin said.

Former lead role from NC’s production of 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, junior Chloe Vernex-Loset sang “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables. Vernex-Loset used the stage to her advantage and turned the song into her own story.

The show closed with the end of Keaton and Hicks’ romantic relationship. As Hicks continued to badger Keaton, she finally gave in and told him how she felt. The two sang “Only Us” from the broadway show Dear Evan Hansen.

The show successfully gave students the confidence to step onstage and perform. Drama Board hopes to see more students audition and participate in future shows and events in Drama Club.