As everyone has heard, Lions Follies is canceled this year due to low participation. This is a first, given that Lions Follies has occurred every year since its inception, except for 2020. This year’s fall talent show will not be happening. Why has interest so suddenly declined? Will it be rescheduled? Nothing is certain right now.
Historically, Lions Follies has maintained high interest and has been a relatively full show. The setlist often consists of four main skits—one from each class and other individual or group acts. It’s an outlet for students to showcase their talents. Acts range from singing and dancing to martial arts demonstrations and everything in between. This year’s show didn’t make it to the audition phase.
This change could be because of the outdatedness of talent shows. Before the internet, physical spaces with audiences were the best places to put your personal talents on display. Now, social media provides us with infinite outlets to show those skills. With just a few clicks, a TikTok video or Instagram post makes your abilities visible to the whole world. You aren’t limited to an audience or a space—the possibilities are endless. Students at Littleton High School no longer have to wait for Lion’s Follies to exhibit their talents; the internet has made it easier and more convenient than ever before.
Lion’s Follies shouldn’t be scrapped entirely, though. There are alternative ways for our students to showcase their talents in a competitive environment. A physical event may not be the best way, though.
Littleton High School’s Instagram account may be the answer. Students could make a video of their talent, post it on Instagram, and tag the account. Instagram’s poll function could be used on a story to allow students and community members to vote for their favorite act. This way, their talents are still displayed for the school to see and still include the competitive spirit Lion’s Follies creates.
There is talk of Lion’s Follies being rescheduled to a later date, but right now, nothing is set in stone. Whether or not it will take place this year is up in the air. Talent shows are really a thing of the past; this will be a problem for Lion’s Follies in years to come.
