Seven Days: Vermont's Independent Voice

Curtain Call

Since 1929, South Burlington’s Rice Memorial High School students have morphed into everything from ghostbusters to space aliens for one night a year — and it’s not Halloween. The creative costuming is just one aspect of Stunt Nite, a competition between four original, vaudevillian-style variety shows, each scripted and produced by a different grade level. Though this year’s themes are under wraps until the curtain rises, the 25- to 30-minute acts generally thread comedy, dance and song through a cohesive storyline embellished with wacky costumes and backdrops. The camaraderie and school spirit are “so tremendous,” says director Catherine Metropoulos, noting that 95 percent of the student body participates in the volunteer-run project — a pretty impressive stunt alone.