They are confident, take Karen Osborne’s choreography instruction well and have no problems with opening night jitters or showing off in front of a packed house of parents, peers, teachers and strangers.

Others are first-timers and look a little timid — especially when they are first allowed in the show as fifth-graders.

They look to each side to make sure their dance steps are right, to make sure they are in line and to make sure, heaven forbid, they don’t run into a high schooler.

All of them, however, are the stars of the April 3 and 4 show, say the 10-year event’s organizers.

“The kids are the real talent,” said Ron Stichter, a Follies organizer. “Us adults are just window dressing, we move like robots, they’re the ones everyone comes to see.”

The children — who are the main beneficiaries of the public education fundraiser — sign up and are selected by a casting committee.

Organizer Kathie Goldberg said students are selected without regards to talent or ability. Instead the committee looks to give children a chance to participate.

And, they bring in ticket-buyers.

Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles of students routinely make up a large portion of the Follies audience.

“We always tell the kids that the people in the audience are mostly there to see them,” Goldberg said.

For some students, like Incline High School junior Eduardo Rodriguez, the thrice-weekly rehearsals are old hat.

“When I first did it in eighth grade, I was kind of shy, kind of scared,” Rodriguez said. “Now it’s pretty fun, I mostly do it because I like to dance.”

Others, like Incline Elementary fifth grader Vanessa Andrade, said learning the dance moves isn’t nearly as hard as avoiding the dancers.

“The dance is really fun, really easy,” Andrade said. “You just have to worry about not crashing into people.”

Fellow fifth grader Mia Severance, in her first year in the show, said she was following in the dance-steps of her siblings.

“I wanted to be in Follies because my sisters were,” Severance said. “The only hard part is getting where you need to be during some of the songs.”

Some of the oldest participants — seniors at IHS who will join the adult world within months — say joining the Follies cast is important as a community event.

“It’s a good fundraiser and joins the efforts of a lot of the community, everything goes to help schools,” said Aziza Seykota. “I think it’s pretty cool to be in, too, it’s fun to perform in front of everybody.”

Serena Joseph, another IHS senior, said Follies has always been on her radar.

“I never got to do it when I was younger, I moved away before fifth grade and didn’t get to be in it,” Joseph said. “The reason I’m mostly doing it is I love (choreographer) Karen (Osborne).”

Senior Aime Serrano dispatched some sage advice for fourth graders aspiring for parts in next year’s show, especially the young ladies.

“I would tell them to do it, just don’t wear too much glitter,” Serrano said. “I did it when I was younger and there was a lady giving out glitter. You don’t want to get carried away and put on too much.”

“I grew up in a really small town so I love the small town, he said.

Cameron did not star in any theater productions while growing up or even during college at the University of Nevada, Reno. However, he is in his ninth year as a member of the cast for the Incline Star Follies.

His long history with this annual and popular fundraiser actually started when the organizer of the event, Debbe Deverill asked Cameron to participate in the show. However he decided not participate that first year.

“I had heard about the old follies, where they actually sang the songs,” Cameron said. “Debbe made me promise that I would be in it the next year.”

Cameron kept that promise and has not only become a regular member of the yearly cast but served on the board of the Incline Star Follies since that time as well.

He was nervous the first year and worried about having to dance. That fear did not last long.

“The moves were simple. One of the best times ever,” he said.

During the nine years Cameron has been part of the cast the follies have experienced many changes and performed on several stages. His first year was at Incline High School while another year found the production performed at the old elementary school. Cameron said that it was very difficult performing at the elementary school because the audience was all at the same level. Since the production has been at the Cal Neva it has been much easier for the cast and according to Cameron makes it feel more like a show.

“I have always gotten really good numbers and have had a lead every year,” he said.

Some of the songs though have been recycled through the years and provided Cameron an opportunity to do a couple of the songs a second time.

“One my favorites we happen to be doing again this year, ‘Dancin Fool,’” Cameron said.

This song was one that was originally performed when the show was at the elementary school so should be fun to do this year at the Cal Neva.

As the years have gone by, they have included many funny experiences for the members of the cast including an injury for Cameron during a performance.

“The year I did “Mr. Mom,” I had lots of kids running around me and during the first show of the last night I slipped, fell back and chipped a bone in my elbow,” he said.

But the show continued on and Cameron did the second show that night as well. He explained that if anything unusual was going to happen it usually did during the last show.

“George LeBard told me that he knew I was hurt, but many thought it was just part of the show,” Cameron said.

One of the long traditions of the Incline Star Follies has been for men in the cast to dress up as ladies for a number. Cameron did this one year along with Dr. Vincent D’Ascoli.

“We came out with bananas stuffed in our dresses and threw the bananas into the audience,” he said. “Vinny is just hilarious.”

It is when Cameron speaks about this number or some of the other funny things that have happened that you can see that sparkle and realize that he really enjoys every minute of participating in the Incline Star Follies.

“Bruce Solie always gets the short jokes and it is so much fun to see Jonathan Smith as a different person,” Cameron said. “On stage most personalities magnify.”

During the many practices and sometimes even between numbers off stage the cast spends a lot of time talking and joking around.

“People don’t see a lot of each other outside the show. Friendships grow and you build amazing relationships with the other members of the cast,” he said. “Sometimes you are on stage with the kids of people you know.”

But according to Cameron it is the people behind the scenes that really make the show.

“It’s people like Kathie Goldberg that make the show,” he said. “Words can’t describe the work she does. I adore Kathie.”

The most amazing fact though is that Cameron does not live in Incline and does not have any family members in the school system. Still he puts in the hours and hours required to learn the songs and dances year after year.

“I love this community, it is the best community ever,” Cameron said. “I love doing something to help the schools in the community.”

Cameron admitted that this year his dance number is much harder and has required more time for him to learn. He will be in four numbers for the 2009 Incline Star Follies, two all cast numbers including “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and “That’s Entertainment.” And will be the lead in “Press Conference Rag,” and “Dancin’ Fool.” His favorite number though is the last number of the show.

“I love when we get into the number “God Bless the USA,” he said.” I love it when the

audience gets into it.”

Costumes which have been well-thought out, picked up from Linda Offerdahl at Dress the Part(y) or ordered online to find that perfect rock and roll ensemble or glittery top.

The dance moves are practiced by the adults (if nothing else) and perfected by the students.

Lights, music and cast come together to provide an entertaining live show.

But, it doesn’t just happen.

The costumes are decided and purchased well ahead of time, Asst. Director Kathie Goldberg keeps a running cast list throughout the year and the show’s board of directors is constantly raising money for the show.

Show director Don Hertel crafts choreography for the adults — a feat in itself, given the abundance of left feet in the cast — while a trio of ladies — Karen Osborne, Mindy Wegener and Keli Maiocco — choreograph for the students.

Maiocco works with the middle school while Osborne and Wegener work with the elementary and high school students.

The choreography process starts in November — five months before the opening night — when the three get the music from Hertel for the upcoming show.

“We try to challenge the students as much as possible,” said Osborne, a 6-year Follies veteran with previous stage experience. “When we first get the music in November we’ll listen to it over and over again, then I’ll work it through with Mindy to figure out the dance moves.”

To keep it fresh, Osborne said, she’s turned to the Internet’s YouTube for dance ideas.

“After doing it for so many years I was running out of ideas and didn’t want the kids to get bored,” Osborne said.

Maiocco said she’s working on the choreography constantly, listening to the songs in her car for a solid month and putting them together piece by piece.

“Once we get the music I listen to it over and over again,” Maiocco said. “First I’ll do the choruses and go step by step from there. I’m a very visual thinking so I’m imagining how it will look constantly.”

“Generally Karen is our idea person,” Wegener said. “When we first get the music she’ll start to brainstorm what some of the props could be and we go on from there.”

Wegener said the routine varies from the elementary school’s fifth graders, who are performing for the first time, to the high school’s students, some of who are on shows no. 4 or 5.

“For the elementary kids we try to tell a story, and the high school is more centered around the dancing,” Wegener said.

Osborne said the moves for the elementary have gotten much more complex over her years of participation with the show.

“At first I was a little soft on them, especially with the elementary kids,” Osborne said. “They get so much better every year that now I’ve made it nearly impossible for the next show to top the last one, they’re that good.”

Wegener said the elementary students have a remarkable ability to handle the choreography and rarely have major problems with it.

Each of the three takes the completed choreography back to their respective groups and teaches the dance moves — sometimes to surprising results.

“My favorite part is watching the kids blossom, I’m in tears backstage at the end of the show every year just from watching how far they’ve come,” Osborne said. “Sometimes we’ll take a very shy kid and give them a lead. After the show the parents will come up to me and ask me how we got them out of their shell.”

Some of the most shy end up with leads in the show, and choreographing a lead is something that requires a little give and take, Maiocco said.

“I’ll usually work with them a little, but they go up their with their free spirit and add some of their own stuff,” Maiocco said.

The final step, Osborne said, are for the three sets of students to come together and work on the all-cast numbers.

Then, it’s off to the show, the crowning event of months of work.

“When I see them up there, I’m just full of pride,” Maiocco said.

“I knew Debbe Deverill and she called me and said I would be perfect for the show. I couldn’t call her out so I succumbed,” Koch said.

Although Koch could not recall the names of the actual numbers she appeared in that first year she did recall that one of the numbers was with local businesswoman, Linda Offerdahl.

“I only remember one. I did a ‘50s number with a hula hoop,” she said. “I kept thinking oh ‘God I’m never going to live this down.’”

Koch has practiced medicine in Incline Village for 21 years and is a supporter of the local public school system because she attended public schools.

“I am a big supporter of the public schools in Incline,” Koch said. “I love the public school system and concept of public education.”

Koch’s son attended the Incline Village public schools and was in middle school when she started performing with the Follies.

“My son went to school here from fourth grade on and graduated from Incline High School,” she said. “And he got a great education. I have to commend Incline High School.”

That first year in the Follies though Koch admitted that she was terrified of doing the show. Now, after 10 years of performing Koch is very comfortable on the stage.

“The first time I was on stage I was terrified, she said. “I was the least likely to be on a stage, now I don’t even get nervous.”

With all of her performances, Koch has had the opportunity to see lots of changes and improvements.

“In the beginning it was only a fundraiser for the elementary school and only kids from the elementary school performed in the show,” Koch said.

The middle school students were added the second year and high school students the third year.

“That is the biggest change, the number of kids in the show has enlarged,” said Koch.

The number of adult cast members increased also, but not like the number of students in the show. And according to Koch, it is the students that really make the show — especially for the upcoming 2009 show.

“I have watched some of the high school stuff this year and it is incredible,” she said.

But the basics have remained the same as they were the first year.

“The Follies t-shirts and black pants are still the same,” Koch said. “But the costuming has gotten more elaborate and there is more dancing. The numbers became more complicated in a good way.”

The talent in the adult cast now is more polished Koch explained which allows for more numbers at higher levels.

“I have stayed because it is a good cause and fun,” she said. “It gets me out of my cubicle. Gets me out of my box and pulls me into a whole different thing every year.”

She was not able to remember any numbers that had been personal favorites because all have been fun for her to perform. One number, however, did stick in her mind. It was when she had to fill a last minute role and found that a little challenging.

“One year Joy Michiel was supposed to be in a number but was unable to and gave me her role at the last moment,” Koch said. “It was for a very loud and demanding preacher.”

Another year Koch was given the role as a nurse in the number “Let’s Get More Men into Nursing.”

“I was the head nurse, not the doctor, the nurse,” she laughed.

Even though each show requires many hours to learn her parts and dance steps Koch spends a lot of time memorizing lines while in the car or learning dance steps at home.

“One of the benefits is that I am more confident as a public speaker. I used to be terrified of speaking,” she said. “I am not a ham by nature.”

But along the way Koch found other benefits to being a cast member as well.

“I have gotten to know a lot of people I probably would not have,” she said. “It has been a lovely enhancement to my life.”

Koch said that being a member of the cast is the easy part compared to what other members of the Incline Star Follies do.

“Being in the show is no where near the amount of work as what Kathie Goldberg does or the fundraising committee,” she said. “This is the fun part.”

Koch stressed that many people play important roles in the Follies other than members of the cast.

“Don Hertel (director and choreographer) does his job out of love,” she said. “He spends his vacation time here.”

And the costumes are also important. Each number requires costumes which are purchased or furnished by the cast member.

“Linda Offerdahl has made our job so much easier,” she said. “It is really convenient to shop at her store and the costumes are reasonably priced. Plus sales from her shop return to the schools.”

The people in charge of the Incline Star Follies also have difficult jobs Koch said.

“Kathy Goldberg is amazing. I would hate to guess the number of hours she spends each year on Star Follies, or Ron Stichter,” she added.

Generally Koch feels that the productions have gone fairly smoothly each year. At least for her part.

“I have never had a wardrobe malfunction,” she laughed.

Does she have any plans to retire now that she has been a cast member for 10 years or will she be back next year?

“As long as the show continues and they continue to want me,” she said. “I will continue.”

JoDee Hub, who is in charge of tabulating the ticket sales, said they have been selling at a fast clip, and as of Thursday, only a few seats remain in the theater ($25) section for the Saturday shows.

“They are selling very well now,” Hub said.

Tickets for Friday are available at the Potlatch in the Raley’s Shopping Center until 3:30 p.m. Friday. At that point Hub said the tickets will move over to the Cal Neva Casino’s Frank Sinatra Ballroom, where Follies takes place, and will go on sale again at 5 p.m. at the door. Saturday tickets will remain on sale until 3:30 p.m. Saturday before moving over to the Cal Neva and going back on sale at 5 p.m.

As in previous years, there are four installations of this year’s lip-sync performance scheduled, at 6 and 8:30 p.m. each day.

Proceeds from Follies ticket sales go to support the Incline public schools.

Follies, the yearly community lip-sync show, raises money annually for the Incline public schools, to buy technology equipment along with other academic expenditures.

Ron Stichter, the show’s organizer, said ticket sales for the four shows over April 2 and 3 at the Cal Neva Casino’s Frank Sinatra Ballroom totaled nearly $30,000, down from about $32,000 from 2008.

Bolstered by a sellout of the 8:30 p.m. Saturday show, Stichter was pleased with ticket sales and even surprised.

“Quite frankly I was expecting sales to be way under (2008’s tally), I was expecting much worse,” Stichter said. “But people still wanted to go see the show, they showed us we still mattered. I think with tough times people stood by us.”

Ticket sales do not account for all of Follies revenue, Stichter said, as the show annually nets anywhere from $80,000-$90,000.

Other revenue sources include the show’s playbill, which sells ads, and community donations.

Stichter said he’d expect those numbers to start coming in later this month to get a final total for the fundraiser.

“Advertising in the program was down this year,” Stichter said. “We just didn’t have as many pages. I think that’s a result of the economy locally and will send our revenues down.”

It’s silly — an amateur hour of local people in outlandish costumes, dancing with varying degrees of imprecision and lip-syncing to loud music in a showroom that is a shadow of its former self.

It’s a group of people — adults and children — having the time of their lives working their tails off to support our schools, and having such an infectious good time that you can’t help but enjoy it.

This being Incline, I’m sure there are people who subscribe wholeheartedly to the first view — fortunately those folks don’t come to the show and spoil it for the rest of us.

I think Star Follies has an importance to this community that goes beyond what it does for the schools. Since the early 90s, a group of writers, researchers and educators has been re-examining the profession of psychology’s focus on pathology and trying out the study of what can go right with people and institutions. These thinkers don’t claim to have invented anything new or created a new profession; rather they distinguish themselves by their perspective. The value of positive psychology lies in its uniting of what had been scattered and disparate lines of theory and research about what makes life most worth living, according to Dr. Martin Seligman, a leader of the movement.

This research suggests that optimism actually affects the quality of our lives. Not an unquestioning, “glass half-full” positive thinking, but a healthy optimism, grounded in reality. Not being Pollyanna and thinking everything is wonderful, but making the best of things that happen. To use Star Follies as an example, we can bemoan funding cuts to the schools, blame the government and the economy and be unhappy, or we can seize the opportunity to create a great community event, have a lot of fun, make new friends and raise a bunch of money in the process. Does that make it right or OK that the schools are underfunded? Of course not. But it gives us something positive we can do in the face of an unpleasant situation.

To use a formula developed by Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, a positive psychologist at Harvard, we can give ourselves permission to be human — to be unhappy about the situation, to feel powerless. Then we can reconstruct the situation — glean learnings from it and search it for opportunities. Then we keep it in perspective — look at how the problem fits into the great scheme of things with respect to the quality of our lives, and, in the case of Star Follies, shift our perspective from “the state and federal governments should do something” to “we as a community can do something on our own.” PRP — Permission, Reconstruction, Perspective — is at the heart of positive psychology.

I think we’re ripe for a revolution in our perspective. Whatever the economic factors, one thing that got us through the Great Depression was American optimism. Optimism became unfashionable after that, for some reason. It came to be called boosterism and cheerleading.

As the country got more “sophisticated” after World War II, as the pseudo-sophistication of pessimism came into vogue, optimism came to be seen as naïve and “Midwestern.” As much as we may make fun of the French with their veneer of boredom and existential angst, their relationship to the world became our model, at least for those of us who wanted to appear “smart.” Optimism was relegated to the realm of the quaint, and as early as 1949 in South Pacific, Rodgers and Hammerstein poked fun at the “cockeyed optimist, immature and incurably green”

Well, maybe we lost something in “growing up” as a country, and maybe a lot of the ills and malaise of our culture are the national equivalent of a depressive neurosis.

Maybe being “stuck like a dope with a thing called hope” is not such a bad thing. In fact, research in positive psychology shows that pessimism may put people at risk for chronic physical and mental illnesses and an earlier death than their optimistic counterparts.

So let’s give ourselves permission to be human — scared, worried, discouraged; let’s reconstruct — rather than hoping against hope that things will get back to where they were, let’s look for a reset to a more reasonable, sane level; and let’s keep things in perspective — we live in the most beautiful place on earth, we are alive and thriving and we have in our midst people like the producers, directors, cast and crew of Star Follies who are working to make our community a better place and not waiting for “them” to fix it.

Ed Gurowitz has a doctorate in psychology and is a management consultant. He has lived in Incline Village since 1995 and is active in the Democratic Party. He can be reached for comment at egurowitz@gurowitz.com. His columns can be found at www.egurowitz.blogspot.com.