Every year the choir holds their biggest fundraiser at the beginning of the year by producing Cabaret.

The students are in complete control of the whole production. From lights, who gets cut, to who gets the solo’s, outfits, what the show will be about, and what songs will be featured.

The directors this year were Seniors Juliana Davis and DJ Fortner.

“Cabaret has always been my favorite part of choir and show choir,” Davis said. “I fell in love with the show my freshman year, and had always longed to have the opportunity to direct it myself. Being able to co-direct with DJ this year has truly been a dream come true.”

Davis and Fortner started working on the show months in advance.

“We started preparing for the show in June by selecting the songs and putting in ideas for the show,” Fortner said.

This year Cabaret had a different point of view then the shows before.

In the past years Cabaret has been known for the love story between a man and woman, but this year it was about loving yourself for who you are.

“My side of the story was all about accepting yourself on the inside,” Fortner said. “No matter what your orientation, identity, or anything about yourself that makes you different, that you are worth being on this earth and your life is one worth being lived, and you can never be replaced.”

Davis gives her side of her contribution to this years production.

“My story is about the perils of self-image, symbolizing a teenage girl’s journey to self acceptance,”

Davis said. Davis and Fortner not only directed the whole show, but they were also soloist.

“I sang ‘Still Got Tonight’ by Matthew Morrison because, it’s message is how no matter what happens in our lives, we always will have the very next moment to live with the people we love and to be happy,” Fortner said.

Davis took her make-up off during her solo “Who You Are” by Jessie J.

“I decided to take my makeup off as I sang the solo. Swiping the makeup wipe down my cheek as I looked at friends, family, and cast all around me was so meaningful and emotional for me,” Davis said. “I will always regard that memory as one of the most special moments of my life.”

Cabaret was a way for Davis and Fortner to share with others the importance of self love.

“It breaks my heart to see people who are just as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside hurting, struggling to reach this level of perfection that is impossible to attain,” Davis said. “Because of this I wanted my Cabaret story to celebrate inner beauty and loving yourself unconditionally- because that’s the truest love story there is.”

Fortner was inspired by a quote from Sierra Boggess which helped him understand that everyone is enough.

This quote was also on the fliers for the show. “A quote from Sierra Boggess says, ‘You are enough. You are so enough, it is unbelievable how enough you are.’ And this years show will showcase no matter where you come from, what you’re into, whatever it is that you are enough,” Fortner said.

New choir director Randall Cantu was impressed by what students were capable of producing.

“I was initially impressed by Cabaret being a fully student produced show. From set list to rehearsal schedule this production was student inspired and materialized. I’ve been apart of several different cabaret-style shows, and I’m most impressed by the product when students take ownership of a production,” Cantu said.

Cantu was able to relate to the overall message.

“It’s inspiring to see a message of self-acceptance and inclusively , I think everyone can relate to these concepts. My life has been series of these kinds of lessons, I totally relate,” Cantu said.