Live theater is back with an annual talent show returning to the Kiski Area School District.

The Kiski Area annual Key Club Talent Show will showcase the talent of students with a variety show on Friday.

All proceeds from the event, which is sponsored by the Key Club, will be used for the high school spring musical production of “Shrek: The Musical.”

Jason McGuire, a 2021 Kiski Area graduate, was disappointed when last year’s show was canceled because of the pandemic, so Key Club co-adviser Terra Shreffler recruited him to assist with the production.

“When I contacted him about coming back, he was so excited and wanted to help promote the show,” Shreffler said.

The talent show will run about two hours, showcasing more than a dozen performances by students in grades K-12.

Kiski Area senior Shannon Brown volunteered to direct the talent show. Brown will later play Fiona, a lead character in “Shrek: The Musical.”

She said seeing the happy faces on everyone that wanted to do this show is rewarding, especially after missing out on performing last year.

Sarah Musser said the audience can expect to be entertained by a variety of acts, including a kindergartner demonstrating his karate skills.

“It’s adorable,” Musser said. “And there’s a hula hooper; and one kid will play a bunch of separate instruments to compile one musical performance.”

Kiski Area musical director Robert Capanna said he’s grateful for the anticipated donation. He said the pandemic forced a postponement and eventual cancellation of their 2020 musical.

Production on “Legally Blonde” halted a mere week or so from opening night, with the full 2020 musical budget already spent.

Capanna said some of the costs were held on account and were able to be applied to future shows, and many sponsors generously told the production to keep their advertisement money.

“So, we promised to put their ads in this year’s program, which means a bit less advertising money coming in this year, and two years of not selling tickets has taken a toll on our budget,” Capanna said. “… Donations like this one from the Key Club Talent Show are enormously appreciated.”

Superintendent Misty Slavic will attend as one of the judges. She remarked that a solid education is more than academics.

“Education is about students learning to express themselves in various art forms, athletics, music and through additional activities that allow them to experience success and growth,” Slavic said.

The show kicks off at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Tickets are $5; $3 for students, and tickets will be sold at the door.

In case of inclement weather, a snow makeup day is scheduled for Jan. 31.

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