34 FEBRUARY 2018 ARCAD A NEWS By Mallory Gleich H opi Elementary School is gearing up for its annual variety show on February 20 and this year’s show will be chock full of singing, dancing and all things Broadway. The Hopi Variety Show started in the 1980s, initially being run by Hopi staff and performed in the school’s cafeteria. The show grew in popularity so much after being taken over by Sheryl Cooper in the mid-1990s that it was moved to the Arcadia High School auditorium in 1996, where Cooper and her team (including her fairly well known husband Alice), stage a full-fledged production with increased lights, sounds, props and seating. “It gives kids something to be excited about, and gives them a taste of the arts and a level of confidence that nothing else could,” said Emily Blais, one of the directors who has been working with the show for 14 years. Throughout the years, the show has been directed by members of the PTA and parents of Hopi students. This year, there are seven directors who help put the show together: Emily Blais, Jenny Kelly, Kerri Flader, Julie Baird, Nicki Ess, Cindy Krawczyk and Susie Ning. “In in recent years, we have found it’s more manageable if we work together as a team of directors to tackle all the components of the show,” said Blais. “We divide up the responsibilities and conquer. We have a solid committee who knows how to make it all happen.” Each year’s show features a theme to provide commonality between the acts. Themes from past years include Hopi Night Live, Hopi TV, Hopi Loves Disney, Now That’s What I Call Hopi and Hopi School Musical. This year’s theme is Broadway. Acts by the students include dancing, singing, Broadway-themed Hopi Elementary Variety Show takes the stage Arcadia News 25 th Anniversary Feature Broadway-themed Hopi Elementary Variety Show takes the stage The article below was featured in the February 1998 edtion of the Arcadia News . After starting out in the Hopi elementary cafeteria, the Hopi Variety Show has grown over the years into a full-fledged theater production featuring set pieces, professional lighting and realistic costumes.

35 FEBRUARY 2018 ArcAd A News skits, piano and guitar solos, comedy acts, and gymnastics routines. “We encourage the acts to be as creative as they can. Almost anything goes,” Blais said. “The show lasts around two hours and has from 28-40 acts. There are almost 400 kids who participate.” Each act has a master of ceremonies who introduces the act. The emcees are all fifth graders who try out for the position months before the show. Normally there are around 60 kids who audition to be emcees, with 12-14 chosen. The emcees perform mini-acts and skits to introduce each new act. This gives the next act time to set up and keeps the audience entertained throughout the entire show. Some of the acts require props and parents have helped set up things like pirate ships, pizza parlors, Flintstones cars and ghosts. “Word on the street is that we will have Swiss Alps and a beauty parlor this year,” Blais said. One of the more entertaining acts, especially for the students of Hopi, is the Teacher Act. In between the dancing and singing kids, the teachers get on stage and perform an act all their own. “Kindergarteners are always good for a dose of cute, and usually some laughs, but the kids love watching their teachers on stage,” said Kelly, one of the directors. The Hopi Variety show is a PTA- sponsored event. Through the help of parents and volunteers, it has become one of Hopi’s longest standing traditions. “I do it because I love it. I believe in The Hopi Variety Show. I have seen it change children’s lives. There’s nothing else like it. Nothing,” Blais said. (left) In 2017, seven directors dedicated their time and energy to put together the Hopi Variety Show. (above) Emcees for the 2018 Hopi Variety show. Each year’s show is themed. While this year’s theme is Broadway, past themes include Hopi Night Live, Hopi TV, Hopi Loves Disney, Now That’s What I Call Hopi and Hopi School Musical. Serving the Arcadia area since 1958          Like us on Facebook! Member Since 1959      •  •    •    •    •         www.ingleside.com WE ARE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK BRIAN A. SERBIN, DVM • RACHEL BART, DVM KATIE CHILES, DVM • KATHERINE HEWITT, DVM • TALI TONCRAY, DVM HOSPITAL 602-840-3446 | GROOMING 602-952-1754 Grooming OPEN Tues - Sat PROTECTING WHAT’S YOURS. v a n l e e r i n s . c o m K R I S T I N E D W A R D S 4 8 0 . 7 7 6 . 6 9 7 9 BUSINESS HOME AUTO HEALTH LIFE