Performers captivate the spotlight at Broadway Cares
On Friday, Oct. 17, Newbury Park High School [NPHS] students from ASG, the International Baccalaureate program, the Panther Prowler and more came together to become theater kids for one fateful night. At Broadway Cares, a donations-based talent show whose proceeds go to Equity Fights AIDS, is a longstanding tradition at Newbury Park that was recently reimagined by this years’ hosts. The night was a huge success, raking in over $1,000 and providing an opportunity for students of any skill or confidence level to perform for an adoring crowd.
This year, the event was spearheaded by two students: Claudia Frankfort, junior, and Amara Garcia, sophomore. Frankfort had previously participated in the event and wanted to make it an even bigger spectacle this year. “We really thought that if we marketed it more as a talent show rather than a variety show, it would bring a lot more people, and honestly, it did,” Frankfort said.
Alongside the brand new addition of a panel of guest and student judges, the show also introduced a grand prize this year. “We combined funds with ASG, and so none of the grand prize came out of our proceeds, which is really, really, really good,” Frankfort said.
Two tickets to Disneyland were awarded to the winners, allowing all the money raised from audience member donations to go straight to the foundation of Equity Fights AIDS. “[Equity Fights AIDS] helps to provide financial assistance, meals, health care, and so much more to those living with HIV and AIDS,” Garcia said.
The success of the show also relied on collaboration across the theater and technical departments, which Garcia and Frankfort spent weeks leading up to the event working on. “Claudia Frankfort [and I] went through finding all the acts in the show and then ensuring the line-up and script were as smooth as possible, as well as finding judges and receiving a lot of help from Ms. Strange and the technicians who worked on the show,” Garcia said.
Without strong bonds between all departments in the PAC, this show, along with countless others, wouldn’t be possible. “I loved every interaction I had with the stage managers and the tech crew. Being in the booth was a great time because they would always ask us on our opinion for projections or lighting ideas and it was just really fun being a part of that whole process,” Frankfort said.
Beyond the night’s grand success in revenue and popularity, it was also a welcoming opportunity for students of all areas of talent to perform. The winners of the show, Faith Faber and Claire Vasquez, sophomores, decided on their act during the last few weeks leading up to the show, and were still able to elicit huge support from the audience with their performance of “Creep” by Radiohead. “I was happy to witness such a strong community within NPHS that was able to expressively show their support and be excited for me to make this accomplishment,” Faber said. “I felt so loved by all of my friends and strangers that cheered for our win.”
Faber would recommend joining the group of performers in the future. “It’s a good outlet to make new friends and build public speaking skills,” Faber said.
Vasquez also stresses the value of trying new things and getting involved in events that matter. “It also helps people come out of their shells. The first time I performed in high school was at Broadway Cares, my freshman year,” Vasquez said. “That experience really made me feel more comfortable and less nervous in front of crowds.”
The night was a busy one for Vasquez, who displayed her talents both on and off the stage. Along with being a technician, Vasquez performed with her sister on guitar, a solo on the piano and, of course, her winning act with Faber.
The NPHS theater department is filled with talent and passion, producing countless performances like 24 Hour Theater and the upcoming fall musical. As a participant in the shows, Frankfort feels for the students who may be apprehensive about getting up onstage in front of the rows upon rows in the PAC. But with events like Broadway Cares, she hopes that anyone feels inspired to give it a go. “I feel like it’s got a great way of introducing any new performer, since they can literally do whatever they want,” Frankfort said.
