Promptly at 6:30 p.m. the black curtains parted and bright lights shone from above as an eager audience rushed to their seats and quieted their voices to be entertained. Starting off the show unintroduced, the cheerleading squad welcomed the crowd with a cheer and directly went into a routine accompanied with a music mash-up.

The squad was just one of fifteen acts that performed at the talent show. However, the cheerleaders were one of the three acts of the production that did not involve singing or rapping. According to Ms. Nevils, the English teacher that coordinates the talent show, usually rapping, singing, and dancing dominates the talent show annually. This year she hoped the talent would offer a range of more acts.

“I would like more variety,” Ms. Nevils said. “I would like it if not every act was a singing act.”

However, not every act was a singing act. Maurice House, junior, made a comedic appearance and former U. City science teacher, Ms. Conner, presented an original poem.  Among the singing acts, genres ranged from R&B to neo-soul with Asha Garrison’s performance of “Tattooed Heart” by Ariana Grande and a rendition of John Legend’s “Ordinary People” by Taylor Bass.

Ultimately, Ms. Nevils hopes to inspire students inside and outside of the classroom. For her, the talent show is a deed that will bring students into a different light.

“It’s nice to give back,” Ms. Nevils said.

Students like Makini Morrison, freshman, might just agree. He was incorporated into two acts other than his own and dubbed “Mozart” for the night as a result of his acclaimed piano skills.

“I liked performing in front of others ‘cause I like to make a good impression on people,” Morrison said.

Sloan Marion, junior, thought that the audience was very receptive to the talent presented during the production.

“I thought that the audience was really supportive,” said Marion.