On Jan. 13 and 14, students from Oakton’s chorus department put their talents on display, showcasing their own unique takes on today’s popular music at Cougar Cabaret. From a cover of “Cinema Italiano” to a Mumford and Sons Medley, complete with British accents, the chorus department was on key.
“It’s one of the only times during the year where there are big solo pieces available,” said Lauren Goetz, junior. “Everyone gets a chance to audition, and only a few of those people don’t make it.”
Audience members were entertained between performances by Sarah Smith, senior, and Trevor Herrinton, senior, at Friday’s show, and by Emma Mankin, senior, and Hannah Berlin, senior, at Saturday’s. Although these MCs were cool, calm and collected while they were on stage, off stage it was a whole different story.
“I was more nervous than excited, but above all, I was stressed out,” Herrinton said. “I tended to take my stress out on other people, though. That helped to calm me down, but I’m not sure how they felt about it.”
Herrinton was not the only person under a lot of pressure to perform, Chip Comstock, Assistant Principal, was also feeling anxious preceding Friday’s show.
“I performed an original song that I wrote back in 1980. It’s called ‘Closer and Closer’ or ‘Over the Edge’, depending on how I’m feeling,” Comstock said. “I was pretty nervous, because I only was preparing for a week. I usually have a chance to put a lot more time into practicing.”
Nerves abound, the chorus department (and Comstock) showed no signs of stopping, belting out a great number of trendy tunes, proving that the show must indeed go on. But, they were by no means alone in their endeavors. The crews behind the scenes added the final touch; responsible for making sure everything ran smoothly on stage.
“As stage manager, I made sure everyone was in their place and ready to go onstage on time,” said Kayla Gaughan, junior. “I liked my job, but I wish that I could have had the chance to watch all of my friends preform.”
While the action on stage was the main course, audience members also got to enjoy a small appetizer before they settled in for the evening. 
“I helped to set up food for the concert by putting the popcorn bags and the chocolate coins on the tables before the audience arrived,” said Katherine Landes, freshman. “I know how important setting up is for any performance.”
Landes wasn’t the only person doubling as a performer and a behind the scenes hero, Daniella Beck, junior, stepped into the spotlight on stage for part of the show, and then stood behind it for the rest.
“Whenever people were on stage, I had to turn on the lights and then follow them across the stage with the spotlight,” Beck said. “I also preformed, so I had to find someone else to do the lights for me while I was on stage, but other than that it was pretty easy.”
As the lights dimmed to signal the start of the musical evening, the audience was full of eager anticipation. Some Cougar Chorus alumni were scattered amongst the crowd of friends and families of performers, hoping to get a glimpse of what they left behind.
“I was excited to see all of my old chorus friends perform,” said Vipin Reddy, now a freshman at William and Mary. “From what I could tell, it was the same set up as last year, but I still couldn’t wait to see all of the different acts.”
There was one difference in this year’s Cougar Cabaret, other than the different acts: the length of the show. But even though Cougar Cabaret was shorter in length this year, it went above and beyond in providing an entertaining evening for all.
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