Annual Variety Show Celebrates Rich Diversity at Palatine High School

Palatine High School's 2013 Variety Show “This is How We Rock” be presented this Friday and Saturday at 7:00pm each night.  The show this year includes thirty-six student acts ranging from vocal performances, dance, big bands, comedy and everything in between.  One of the show’s directors, Ken Stromberg, says that he and the student participants are extremely excited by the fantastic talent that was selected from close to one hundred students who auditioned for the show this year.  “What’s great about our Variety Show is that it provides an opportunity for all students, not just those typically involved in our music and dance programs, to showcase their talents. It’s amazing to see how much talent exists within Palatine High School. The students involved truly reflect the diversity of our student population and there is truly something for everyone to enjoy!”  

The Variety Show has been held at Palatine High School for over sixty years says Stromberg, who himself performed in the show from 1975 to 1978. Instrumental Director Raeleen Horn, who will be retiring at the end of the school year, says “this will be my thirty-third consecutive show.” Horn notes how the show has evolved over the years in many ways. In addition to the diversity of the student population and the acts themselves, there was a time when there were “no mics” and the current technology used in the show has greatly broadened and enhanced the performances according to Horn. For the 5th year, Palatine High School will be bringing in a professional sound and lighting company, who, in coordination with tech director Doug Gross, raises the bar and the professional quality of this show. Director Ken Stromberg explains “it gives the students the experience and feel of what it is like to perform with state of the art equipment with a real concert-like feel. It’s fun to watch them enjoy this opportunity and seems to really draw out the star quality of each of them!”

Also working with Stromberg are directors Steve Sivak and Deanna Wright.   Wright says, “the students audition with acts that touch their emotions.  They like what is current and popular but they also like music that they have grown up with in their families.  They dance with the passions of things that have influenced their lives. Seeing and hearing this transformed onto the stage will inspire all who watch these young people perform. They focus all day in school, come to rehearsals all evening, possibly have other activities as well and somehow squeeze in homework. Every night though, they give us their best.”