The spotlight shifted from scripted productions to individual performances as the Wakeland High School theater department hosted its annual end-of-year cabaret, marking the final major performance of the 2025-26 school year.
Unlike traditional mainstage shows, the cabaret gave students the freedom to select their own material, allowing them to showcase their personalities and artistic growth. Performers presented a mix of Broadway hits, jazz standards and original compositions, following weeks of rehearsals that began after the spring musical.
“If I could describe this year’s theater family in one word, I would say lively,” senior Audrey Higgins said. “Everyone in theater is very boisterous and has a uniquely beautiful personality, creating a vast array of characters and companions.”
The evening also served as a farewell to graduating seniors, many of whom spent four years in the program. Students used the event to reflect on their experiences and thank directors and peers, while the department recognized achievements with awards for performance and technical work, including Most Improved Performer.
“The upperclassmen are what make the department truly special,” sophomore Summer Glass said. “When I first joined Wakeland Theater, they were so caring and welcoming — I knew right away that I was in the right place.”
Behind the scenes, the technical crew managed more than 30 lighting cues and coordinated microphone changes, while the sound team live-mixed each performance. The night concluded with a standing ovation, followed by a reception hosted by theater boosters, officially closing the department’s performance season.