Manhattan High’s Drama department is a key part of the culture at MHS. Spring plays, fall musicals and One Acts are a few popular event out on by the drama department. But for many performers, Salute to Broadway is truly their moment to shine.

Salute, as it is referred to by many students, is a student-led production full of pieces performed and chosen by students. This performances offers performers the chance to showcase their talents in numbers that normally would not be produced at Manhattan High.

“I did Salute last year and I did a duet from the play The Importance of Being Earnest which was very fun,” senior Wesley Danielson said. “I prefer this year; this year I was a lot more into it. I did a monologue from Shakespeare’s ‘Othello,’ and I played Iago, the bad guy so to speak. I also did a scene with my girlfriend [junior] Elizabeth Alexander from The Little Foxes, in which I played the role of Horace.”

Pieces like monologues and duets were popular at this year’s Salute. However, musical performances also flooded Rezac Auditorium.

“I did a ‘Change in Me’ from ‘Beauty and the Beast,’” junior Kalea Fraser said. “I think me doing the number, it went really well. People seemed to like it. This was my second time singing on stage by myself and it was scary thinking about going on and thinking I was going to mess up but when I got out there it was really fun and I enjoyed it.”

Whether it was a performer’s first or hundredth time on stage, the night was one full of positive experiences.

“[Being alone on stage is] weird, because you don’t really have anyone to lean on or to help you,” Fraser said. “But at the same time it’s really fun because I am the center of attention and I can do this. I’m going to make this something people will enjoy.”

Fraser’s sentiment was shared among many other actors.

“It felt good to show the audience who I am a an actor because the scene that I chose to do, I feel reflect me as an actor,” Danielson said. “I feel like that’s what Salute to Broadway is in general, people getting to show who they are as actors and singers. It was cool to show me as me and not just a character.”