The Austinaires are off Broadway and on stage at Austin High School's Christgau Hall this week with performances of Broadway medleys.

"We've got a really good medley and really good people singing," senior Bethany Larson said. "It's amazing the amount of talent we've got in the show."

The program is titled "This Joint is Jumping," and songs from Rent, Little Shop of Horrors and Chicago as well as other musicals are all a part of the medley of medleys they have prepared.

This show is especially meaningful to the students because of their recent trip to New York. Senior Jordan VanProosdy said it gave choir members some insight into the Broadway experience.

"It helps because we went to New York and saw a Broadway play," he said. "We know what to expect, so we should be OK."

"The idea of actually being in New York City and Times Square and seeing a Broadway show and how spectacular it is, it really made them realize what you can do and how much fun you can have," Choir Director Brian Johnson said.

Johnson said experience is one of the things that will make the shows special. All but four of the Austinaires are seniors, and many have experience in theater or dance as well.

Choreography also plays a large part in the performance. A number of girls have experience in the dance line and used that to help design the choreography.

Johnson said dancing adds a very difficult element to the performances.

"I think it's at least half the battle," he said. "Both groups learn the music quickly, but it's one thing to sing it, and it's another thing to try and move while you're doing it."

The seniors also will be performing solos throughout the evening. Because there are so many of them, all will not be performing on the same night, Johnson said. Each senior will perform on two of the evenings, which gives each show a little variety.

"People go to more than one show because they get to see different people," Johnson said.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Christgau Hall.

Matt Merritt can be reached 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com