Teachers to Show Off Their Theater Skills

The curtain will rise tonight on a “talentless talent show” as Birmingham High School faculty members showcase their theatrical skills before a crowd of howling teenagers and their families.

The Village People, the Little Mermaid, the Energizer Bunny and the cast of “Grease” are among the big-name “stars” scheduled to appear in the show, dubbed “Third Planet from Birmingham,” which is being staged to raise money for seniors’ scholarships.

“This is such a spirited event for the staff,” program coordinator Irene Sipantzi said. “We have as much fun backstage as the kids do out front.”

The talent show debuted in 1984, Sipantzi said, but wasn’t put on again until last year when faculty members realized that there wasn’t enough scholarship money to go around for all the deserving graduating seniors.

Organizers hope to raise more than $5,500 in scholarship money this year and expect to honor more than 80 seniors.

The money is to be divided up based on the number of adult participants from various departments and each department establishes its own criteria for awarding scholarships, Sipantzi said.

Often seniors are cited for being a positive influence on their peers, academic performance, perfect attendance or good sportsmanship, she said.

“This [method] enables each department to spread the wealth among its students,” Sipantzi said.

Seeing the joy on the faces of seniors when they are recognized at a ceremony prior to graduation makes all her hard work worthwhile, she said.

“Some many students--and their parents--are so proud when they are recognized,” Sipantzi said. “It is so uplifting to know that we, as a staff, participated together to make it happen.”

Tonight’s performance at 7:30 p.m. will be held in the Performing Arts Building on campus at 17000 Haynes St.

Tickets are $7 and will be available at the door.