It's the parents' turn to go to prom.
Actually, it's the turn of any adult who wants a fun night of music and dancing, all while supporting local students. "Dancing Through the Decades" is happening this Saturday night, giving the community a chance to enjoy a night out and help raise money for Green River High School theater students attending the International Thespian Festival.
"We always have these comments after prom, we'd have parents always say, 'when's it our turn? When do we get to do it?'" Bradlee Skinner explained. "Sometimes it's just kind of an aside or even a joke for some, but we were like, 'maybe there is some truth to that, maybe people keep asking for it because they want it.' So we said 'well, let's make it happen.'"
Skinner is the Green River High School Theater Department teacher, as well as the owner and DJ for Phony Stark Industries. So when he got the idea of hosting an "adult prom," he also saw the opportunity to help his students at the same time.
The GRHS Theater Department has 11 students going to the International Thespian Festival in Bloomington, Indiana this summer, Skinner explained. While Skinner has taken students to the ITF two times in the past, it was only to watch the performances and attend the workshops. This year, however, all 11 students have qualified to perform during the event.
"The opportunity they have at the International Thespian Festival is incredible," Skinner said. "These are in front of industry people that are currently working in professional theater, or they'll be performing in front of professors for numerous colleges. Students will have scholarship opportunities. They get to attend numerous workshops with professionals from all over the country. The networking for these kids is huge, the opportunities to meet professors from various acting schools. This is a huge deal that our kids get to be a part of."
The ITF is international because not only do schools from all over North America participate, but foreign schools come as well, making it one of the biggest events for theater students.
Along with opportunities come costs, however, with participation in ITF rounding out at roughly $2,000 per student. While students have been fundraising since December, they're still working on getting all the money together. Wanting the students to pay as little out-of-pocket as possible, Skinner has been trying to come up with creative ways to help out, so "Dancing Through the Decades" became another way to pitch in.
"We're just trying to help them get there, and this is a fun way to do it," he said.
The event will "an 18 and older formal dance for people to come out, get dressed up, have a good night out," Skinner explained.
The dance is formal or semi-formal and people are encouraged to dress up as much as they want, although Skinner noted that anyone who wants to come casual is more than welcome as well. The Park Lounge and Stellar Coffee are also partnering for the event to provide both adult beverages and non-alcoholic drinks.
"We're glad to have some other community small businesses there to help support as well," Skinner said, noting how it is a group effort.
Perhaps the highlight of the event is the DJ for the evening. Skinner noted that he is happy not to have to DJ this event himself, since he wants to dress up and have a fun date night with his wife, Melissa. Instead, the music will be provided by Guest DJ JC, Jesse Collins, of the Savannah Bananas.
The Savannah Bananas are a baseball team that play a unique version of "banana ball" and add in performances and a variety of entertainment in all their games. The GRHS Theater Department went to one of their tour games in Salt Lake City, Utah, which is where they met Collins, who was DJing for the pre-show entertainment.
Skinner's class then had Collins as a guest for one of their "interviews days," where they interview professionals in the entertainment industry. One of the students mentioned wanting Collins to come DJ an event, and he was open to the idea. Since he had the weekend off from performing with the Savannah Bananas, he was happy to come DJ for "Dancing Through the Decades."
"When we found Jesse and he agreed to come up, we were really excited to have him be a part of this event," Skinner said.
Collins will also be spending time helping out at other events while he's in town, including DJing a song or two for the Rock Springs Middle School dance and making an appearance at the Miracle League of Sweetwater County game. But the main event will be DJing for the community dance.
"Jesse's going to be playing music from the last 50 years, so it's our 'dancing through the decades' night," Skinner said, explaining the theme. "So there's going to be music to appeal to every generation that might want to come out and enjoy it, and we're just going to have a fun night."
While the goal is for everyone to enjoy themselves, Skinner pointed out that it's an added benefit that all the proceeds will help local theater students get an important opportunity.
"It's a fun night but really it's for a good cause," he said.
"Dancing Through the Decades" will take place from 8 to 11 p.m. this Saturday, May 17, at the Expedition Island Pavilion. Tickets are $30 for an individual or $50 for a couple and can be purchased online or at the door.
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