Being an emcee for the “Stars On Stage” middle school show choir competition was a challenging experience that felt like being tossed into the deep end without a life raft. Initially, I thought my role would simply involve introducing acts and sharing some fun facts. However, it quickly evolved into an unexpected crash course in improvisation and crisis management.
The first challenge was the script—or lack thereof. The adults and organizers assured us that they would provide some starting points and ideas to build upon. Instead, those “talking points” turned out to be a blank page. This forced me to channel my inner comedian and come up with entertaining dialogue on the fly. It became evident that the organizers had a lot of faith in our ability to make something out of nothing, which was both daunting and exhilarating.
Timing was another significant hurdle. We were given vague instructions on when to introduce each group, leaving us to play a guessing game. This uncertainty continued until about four groups into the show, when the leaders informed us of a crucial detail: a specific light needed to be turned on before we could introduce a group. This added a layer of pressure and required us to be even more vigilant. From that point on, most groups managed to make it on stage just fine. However, one enthusiastic group misjudged our casual conversation about food as their cue to start. They began performing without the all-clear signal, while one of the judges was still missing, busy navigating their way back from the bathroom.
Reflecting on the night, I gained a new appreciation for the complexities behind the scenes of such events. The role of an emcee is so much more than just reading lines and smiling; it’s about maintaining composure and keeping everything together when it seems like things are falling apart. Despite the chaos, I emerged from “Stars On Stage” a bit frazzled but undoubtedly wiser.
This experience also made me think about the unsung heroes who work tirelessly to keep these events running smoothly. Perhaps it’s time to acknowledge their efforts and provide them with the support and preparation they truly deserve. After all, even a star needs a solid foundation to shine brightly.
