“Wait!” said sophomore Jordan Underwood, throwing her palms forward.

This was met with encouraging laughter and applause. After a few seconds, she remembered her lyrics and continued to sing.

Her gentle yet strong voice, unaccompanied by instruments, soon hushed and impressed the crowd.

“At first I was freaking out, but then I realized that everyone there was really supportive and accepting,” said Underwood.

Underwood, and 12 others, performed at Frolics, the annual School Within a School talent show, on Dec. 22 in the Black Box. Frolics has provided a playful, supportive environment for demonstrations of creativity and individuality since the ‘70s, when SWS was formed.

Over the years, it has become more structured, but it is still an event where stage fright and self-consciousness do not deter anyone from signing up to perform.

“We see people do goofy stuff,” said senior Nate Mullin. “It makes you feel like you’re getting to know them.”

Acts at Frolics included bands such as Big Words, Dance the Zouk, The Hetero and Unconventional Oven, as well as Note-a-Fy, including senior Becky Danning, juniors Chloe Bowden, Becca Feidelson, and Regina Raphael, and others.

Senior Ben Sherak, whose stage name is Hunger, performed with several different groups.

Senior Elijah Kofke was very happy that he decided to play guitar and sing at Frolics. He was initially hesitant but realized that he had a community that would be there to build his confidence.

“I had been sitting in SWS for two years and was always too shy to perform,” said Kofke. “They’ve probably already seen me embarrass myself at some point in the past, so even if I seriously mess up, it wouldn’t be anything new, and most of them are supportive people. So this year, I said, ‘I’m doing it. This is my chance.’ ”

Students were not the only ones performing at Frolics. SWS English teachers Keira Flynn-Carson and Karen Harris, both of whom have been in local bands, brought their talents to the Black Box.

Flynn-Carson was on percussion while Harris sang and played guitar. In addition to Frolics’ open attitude toward stumbling, mistakes and improvisation, Flynn-Carson also stressed the significance of the skills that are exhibited.

“People would pay money to go to a show this good,” said Flynn-Carson.

She added that the show can clear up some misconceptions.

“I think people think of SWS as hipsters and trying to be cool, but when you get here, you see that people are just trying be to whatever they are,” said Flynn-Carson. “That may come across to other people as hipster-like, but when you are in this room, it feels very authentic.”

For over 30 years now, Frolics has brought talented students together to share, listen and express themselves.

Sophomore David Toppelberg, who drummed with his band Unconventional Oven at Frolics, admitted that he does sometimes feel stage fright and wants to perform again next year so he can become more comfortable playing live.

“I was blown away by the other musicians,” said Toppelberg. “It was all very nice and definitely more relaxing than having to play at an assembly.”

Rohan Lewis can be contacted at [email protected].