We know there are lots of questions about this unique year of the Variety Show. You’ll find information on how to sign up in the last question!

Who can participate?

  • Students in K-5th Grade are invited to audition and perform
  • Students in 5th Grade may audition to be Emcees
  • Parent volunteers are needed to help execute auditions, rehearsals and the show.
  • All students, staff and families of McKinley may attend the show on Saturday, March 11 at 3:00 pm. No tickets are needed.

How is Variety Show 2023 the same as prior years?

  • Students get to showcase a skill or ability to the school community.
  • Our children will make new friends and strengthen old friendships.
  • Students will gain confidence and learn more about the performing arts first-hand.
  • As in years past, students K-5 are invited to perform and 5th graders will be able to audition to become one of the emcees for the show.
  • Students in Primetime and Character Builders are welcome to participate. Parent volunteers will coordinate with staff to bring the students to the JUP for auditions and rehearsals.
  • Students may only participate in one act, either as a solo or group act.
  • This will continue to be a community building experience. We will learn new things and make lasting memories.
  • Like all Variety Shows at McKinley, this event is produced and directed completely by parent volunteers.

Where will the show take place, and what do I need to do to attend?

  • Everyone is invited to watch the show.  The event is free and no tickets are required.
  • The performance will be located in the Joint Use Park (JUP) at McKinley Elementary. The audience will use casual, picnic style seating, so bring blankets or low lawn chairs to enjoy the performance comfortably.
  • Feel free to bring snacks and drinks. Additionally, the 5th Graders will have a concession stand with snacks and drinks for purchase. Proceeds from the concession stand support 5th grade end-of-year activities such as camp, promotion events, etc.

What type of acts are appropriate for this year?

  • All acts should be in harmony with our school rules and values.
  • Performance numbers need to be compatible with an outdoor theater environment that takes place in the late afternoon, in broad daylight. For example, this isn’t the year to do shadow puppets or laser lights. Students need to be prepared to perform on both a blacktop or grassy surface. Please also consider that natural elements like wind and sunshine will affect the performance. For example, card tricks might be difficult to execute on a windy day.
  • Acts that will work well in the outdoors can include (but not limited to) singing, dancing, magic tricks, comedy routines, sports trick shots, poetry readings, ventriloquy, biking, skateboarding, impersonations, theatre sketches/skits, routines with drones or remote-control airplanes, science demonstrations, etc.
  • Students are also welcome to play musical instruments. However, if more than a microphone is needed for your instrumental number, then students need to provide their own sound equipment, such as amps and keyboards.
  • Solo acts must be 1 minute or less. Group acts must be 2 minutes or less.

How prepared should I be at the auditions?

  • Students need to present their act in an audition so that the directors can make sure it is appropriate for a family audience and an outdoor setting. Auditions do not focus on selecting students based on skill level. However, students need to have their act “performance ready” as much as possible.
  • Students will have a few weeks between auditions and the show to continue working on their acts, but it is helpful to have costumes, music, choreography, etc. figured out prior to the audition. Please make sure your act fits the time limits. Solo acts must be 1 minute or less. Group acts must be 2 min or less.
  • All music must be submitted to the committee prior to the audition via email at mckinleyvarietyshow@gmail.com.  If you are having technical issues providing the music, please email us to let us know.
  • It is okay if students don’t have all the kinks worked out for their act during their audition. Some acts may need to be adjusted or improved after the audition, and the directors will allow time for reworking things.

What if I want to use music in my act?

  • If your act involves music, it must be appropriate for a family audience.
  • Music must be submitted to Brooke Russo before your audition. This is very important because our timeline is not long between auditions and the performance. If you need music edited, you will need to take care of it on your own before auditions. The directors and sound crew will not be cutting and splicing musical tracks this year.  Please submit your music via email to mckinleyvarietyshow@gmail.com. 
  • Two mics will be available for each act. These will be generic hand-held mics that students can hold with one hand or put on a stationary stand. No body mics will be used at this performance.
  • If you have any sound needs other than the hand-held mics and your music track, you will need to provide your own equipment.

What is the time commitment for my child to participate?

  • Auditions and Tech Rehearsal times take place immediately after school between 3pm and 6pm.
  • Students must be available to attend their audition during one of the time slots below. Students will select an audition time after they register for the show.
    • Auditions: Acts
      • Monday, February 13 from 3:15 – 5:30 pm
        Wednesday, February 15 from 4:30 – 5:30 pm
        Wednesday, February 22 from 3:15 – 5:30 pm
    • Auditions: 5th Grade Emcees
      • Wednesday, February 15 from 3:00 – 5:30 pm
  • Rehearsals are mandatory the week of March 6th.  There will be two tech rehearsals, one for Act I and one for Act II.  Tech rehearsal schedules will be announced after auditions have been completed.  Dress rehearsal will take place the week of March 6th as well.
  • The performance is on Sat, March 11. Call time will be 2:40 pm, with the show starting at 3:00 pm.

Will there be 5th grade emcees?

Yes! We will select four 5th grade students to emcee the show and several ushers and stage manager. These students need to be enthusiastic, confident, responsible and self-disciplined. They will read from a script throughout the show to announce each act and help keep the show flowing.

Auditions for 5th grade emcees will take place on Wednesday, February 15th from 3:00 – 5:30 pm. There is a section to sign up on the Audition Sign-Up Sheet. A script will be provided at the audition.

Students that emcee can also perform in either a solo act or group act. These students need to sign up for two separate audition times- one for their act and the other for being an emcee.

My child wants to perform! How do we sign up?
In order to perform in the show, students must do four things:

  1. Fill out a registration form by ***EXTENDED*** Wednesday, February 15 (acts) / Tuesday, February 14 (5th grade emcees and crew)
  2. Select an audition time
  3. Submit your music track
  4. Come to the audition well prepared
  1. Registration Form: All students who want to perform an act or be an Emcee must complete the registration form by ***EXTENDED*** Wednesday, February 15 (acts) / Tuesday, February 14 (5th grade emcees and crew). Students cannot audition without submitting a registration form. Click here to register.
  2. Select an Audition Time: Sign-ups for auditions will take place on a public google sheet. Sign up for an available slot and show up at the JUP 10 minutes before your audition time. All students in your act need to be at the auditions. Please DO NOT delete another student’s name on the audition form. To ensure privacy, the link to sign up for an audition slot will appear on your screen after submitting a registration. Email mckinleyvarietyshow@gmail.com with questions.
    • Auditions: Acts
      • Monday, February 13 from 3:15 – 5:30 pm
        Wednesday, February 15 from 4:30 – 5:30 pm
        Wednesday, February 22 from 3:15 – 5:30 pm
    • Auditions: 5th Grade Emcees
      • Wednesday, February 15 from 3:00 – 5:30 pm
  3. Submit your music tracks: If your act requires a music track or sound track, it needs to be edited and submitted prior to your audition. To help make sure that your music is appropriate, we recommend using songs from KidsBop. Send your digital sound file to mckinleyvarietyshow@gmail.com. 
  4. Come to the Audition well prepared: Students need to present their act in an audition so that the directors can make sure it’s appropriate for a family audience and an outdoor setting. Auditions do not focus on selecting students based on skill level. However, students need to have their act “performance ready” as much as possible.

    Please make sure your act fits the time limits. Solo acts must be 1 minute or less. Group acts must be 2 min or less.

We look forward to having you join the show!

More Questions? Email us at mckinleyvarietyshow@gmail.com