This Friday, March 4th, the Linsly Extravaganza will return to the stage at the Capitol Theater for its 83rd annual run after missing a year in 2021 due to COVID-19.
As a result of the disappointing cancellation last year, choreographer Greta Foose and the students are hoping to make this year’s performance one of the best ever. According to Foose, “The word ‘WOW’ is posted up on the wall in the aerobics room because that is my personal goal for the show this year.”
While anticipation from the community is high, there are some unique challenges this year to rehearsals. More students than usual are ill or quarantined during practice, leaving them to learn some parts of their dances from their friends. Foose was especially appreciative of the lower school’s efforts to help each other out after the scheduled practices, stating that she “couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Despite these challenges, as Linsly students and staff move into dress rehearsals in preparation for the show this week, excitement for Friday is rapidly building. Over the past few months, students have been steadily working to memorize and perfect their acts. Soloists and small groups have auditioned, been chosen, and have worked to polish their own parts. Although this can often be quite challenging, Foose ensures that each student is prepared by the day of the performance, which may involve extra practice and dedication for some. However, as she puts it, “On the night of the show, I am always filled with love and awe for how all of their hard work turns into such a magical evening.”
A final trial the Extravaganza has faced this year in preparation for the performance length of time of this show after the last one, meaning that there are many new boarding school students this year who have never experienced the preparation leading up to the performance or have even watched the show in the past. As the seniors who have the most experience perform together Foose is “depending on a much smaller group of students to share their experience.”
As for a hint for some of the themes of the show this year, many acts will be focused on things that have resulted from the pandemic, particularly positive aspects that have been found and explored during a more negative time for the world. A deeply personal theme for Foose, she sums it up with the statement “We are trying to shine a light that shows how much we have accomplished in these difficult times and to look forward to the future.”
