The Last Talent Show

Today is the day. Today is the last Talent Show that I will run at my current facility. I have no idea if there will be a Talent Show next year, and I am okay with that thought - mostly. I have sixteen acts to coordinate and one of the students is coordinating a "surprise" for me that I will have to play guitar for... we'll see how it goes.

I think I have run at least 29 of these shows. We even did virtual talent shows during COVID. It has been an interesting process of finding how I like to run things to provide my clients with opportunities to show off a bit.

There is not one right way to run anything, and I've found that my attitude towards the talent show is that flexibility has to be the key. I've had students freak out about being looked at by everyone in the school and run out to pull the fire alarm. After that happened, the student sent someone to tell me that the student wanted another chance. I did not allow that. Sorry, but putting everyone in potential danger is not the way to convince me that they need a second chance - fool me once and all that.

The talent show has provided some very poignant memories for me.

There was the year that one of my students forgot that he was wearing my guitar, raised his hands in triumph when everyone cheered, and the guitar rolled down his body to clonk on the floor. The silence in the gym when that happened was historic at my facility, and I felt the gaze of everyone as they needed to check my response to the situation. I continued to applaud the student while looking at the instrument from a distance. We had a music therapy guest that day, and he noted that the atmosphere of the entire school changed in that moment. (The guitar was fine, by the way!)

The talent show and holiday sing have always been my domain, even through the presence of 36 interns. I have always been the one to coordinate both of those events because I enjoy watching my clients show off a bit. I also have a way to do both that works well with my brain and energy level.

The biggest challenge for today is moving the drum set, bass guitar, and all the microphones down to the gym for a three minute performance by three young men. I am already hurting, so the additional strain on my body will sideline me a bit, but I also have a cart and several offers for assistance. I can do things that will help me preserve my energy.

The performance itself is always flexible, but students only get one chance to perform. If they refuse, then we move on. I have lists for co-workers who help me coordinate students just before their performance time. It is always an adventure, but it is also very fun to see who can sing and who can dance and who has stage fright and who is a ham. Many of my students are hams, and I love to watch them soak up the positive attention that comes along with performances.

Tomorrow, I will be exhausted, but it will be worth it. This is the last one, so it is time to get going. See you on the flip side, all!

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