At AISB, Cabaret Night has become a beloved tradition, filled with exciting performances and meaningful moments that have brought students and teachers together year after year at the Taher Theater.
Appearing in Paris in the late 15th century, Cabaret is a form of theatrical entertainment featuring music, song, dance, recitation, and drama.
From 2022 to 2024, AISB has staged three cabaret shows at AISB, with a fourth show on the way:
Mark your calendars for Friday, December 6, at 5:00pm, when our talented band and singers will take the stage once again for another unforgettable evening of Cabaret Night.
Why is Cabaret Night Meaningful?
Cabaret Night brings out so many different emotions for students and teachers. It is a night filled with excitement and laughter as students perform their hearts out on the stage. Cabaret Night has always been a combined activity for grades 6 through 12.
MYP Music Teacher Courtney McDonald, one of the masterminds behind Cabaret Night, says, “I think traditions are important in building community, which is why we have continued to produce Cabaret Night each year in a similar fashion.”
But it is not just teachers who recognize its benefit.
Grade 9 student Lara K. has participated in all of the Cabaret Night shows. She says her favorite aspect of the event is “tech rehearsal time” where “everyone already knows each other, and everyone is making jokes backstage. You just get a feeling of community and fun that I think I wouldn’t be able to get from another type of art.”
Lara is not the only veteran Cabaret star. Grade 10 student Nini Y. has also participated in Cabaret night as the emcee, vocalist, instrumentalist, and also helps as a page turner for the pianist! She reports that her favorite time is during tech week, when rehearsals run long. “It’s nerve wracking, tiring and terrifying,” Nini says. “I also can’t seem to get enough of it. I also love the feeling of standing behind the curtain waiting for the audience to settle into the house on the day of the performance. I find it to be exhilarating.”
Why Cabaret Night?
With the help of former music teacher Dawn Lovig, who worked with instrumentalists, and Drama teacher Jennifer Lawless, who works with soloists on blocking and expression, McDonald chose to give Cabaret Night a try. Before Cabaret Night there were winter and spring musical showcases, but the idea was to try something new.
The piano accompanist, Ana Maria Ioan, has also played a significant role in the success of Cabaret Night, and Music teacher Eric Murray has stepped into Lovig’s shoes with working with the instrumental soloists and ensembles.
Cabaret consists of both vocal and instrumental performances. Most of the time they combine a few songs with both the Cabaret choir and band. They perform a mix of solos, duets, and small group pieces. The singers choose songs to audition with, and organizers use those songs to create the program.
First Cabaret Night in 2022
The first Cabaret Night took place in May 2022. It was the first performance to happen on campus since the COVID-19 pandemic impacted in-person school events, McDonald noted. Therefore, the show was well attended, with a packed house. People were eager for social connection after being isolated in online schooling for so long.
During rehearsals, the show organizers had to keep grade 6 students separate from the older grades due to the local pandemic restrictions, which made rehearsals challenging. Despite this, McDonald said, they put together a fantastic performance.
“We wouldn’t be able to create Cabaret Night without the talent, devotion and hard work of our fabulous musicians. I am truly grateful to each student to who has shared their gifts with us over the past 4 years!” —Courtney McDonald
What Stayed the Same and What Changed?
McDonald says that the music for Cabaret over the past three shows has been mainly musical theater, with a few songs from movies or TV shows mixed in. This year’s show will maintain the same format.
In the past years, Cabaret has always taken place in May, but since the Performing Arts department plans to stage a Middle School musical in the spring (“The Addams Family Musical: Young@Part“), McDonald decided to move Cabaret to the winter season.
This Year’s Cabaret Night
This year’s performance will be on Friday, December 6, at 5:00 pm. A special Cabaret Night assembly is planned for grades 6—10 on Monday, December 9.
“The past Cabaret assemblies have been really successful and the AISB Secondary students have been a wonderful and supportive audience,” McDonald says.
The assemblies and the shows have even helped recruit current performers, so be sure to check it out. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be a soloist someday at the famed Cabaret Night.
Wonderful article, Vika. You’ve covered a lot of information in detail while keeping it short. I remember going to this event back then, can’t wait to see it again this school year! Thank you.