The Tigers are ready to roar.

More than 100 students in 15 acts have been preparing to take the stage for the 64th annual Tigers’ Roar variety show. The show will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the Albert Lea High School auditorium.

“This is a showcase of Albert Lea students’ talents,” said Lynda Kiesler, who is in her eighth year of co-directing the show. “It’s a positive thing for our community.”

Mindy Kruger, who is in her second year as co-director, agreed. “It’s nice to be around kids who are working so hard to put on this show,” she said.

“It’s student-driven and refreshing to see.”

There will be 15 acts in the show, which lasts about two hours, Kiesler said.

This year’s masters of ceremonies are Jeff Thorstad, Daniel Edwards and Jack Sturtz. The three have come up with a variety of skits to introduce the acts.

Students audition to be in the show, Kruger said. The masters of ceremonies are chosen first, then sit in on the auditions for the rest of the show so they can get a feel for the acts they’ll be introducing.

“They do a lot on their own to come up with the skits,” Kruger said.

This year’s acts include a lot of singers — both solos and duets — as well as dancers and a flag routine.

“It’s unique this year. There’s no student band,” Kruger said.

The teachers said year after year they are surprised by the talents they see in students.

“There are always some surprises,” Kruger said. “I might have students in math class and they are really quiet, but they get on stage and they just shine.”

Kruger said until last week, students practiced their acts on their own.
Tickets for Tigers’ Roar are $5 per person. They can be purchased in advance at the activities office at Albert Lea High School, at Doyle’s Hallmark in Northbridge Mall and at the door. Performances are at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the ALHS auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
“Some acts have put in so many hours,” she said. “The Joyce Matthies Dancers have rehearsed in their own space and another group of dancers has been practicing at the Albert Lea Family Y. Others have also put in a lot of time on their own,” she said.

In addition to being on stage, students serve as stage managers, light and sound technicians, ushers and ticket tackers. “It’s very student-run,” Kruger said.

Tigers’ Roar traditionally attracts a big crowd of spectators, the teachers said. Audiences are made up not only of students and parents, but community members as well.

“It’s really an opportunity to see student talent,” Kiesler said.