The Lafayette Commons is commonly used for lunch, dances and as a meeting place. But, on Dec. 15-16, the Commons will transform into something else entirely— the Keeps.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2018, LHS’s Music Department held a medieval-themed event called the Madrigal Dinner once every two years.

“A Madrigal Dinner is a catered meal with dinner, theater and music set in the Renaissance time period in an English Castle,” Choir teacher Christy Shaffer said.

Shaffer is excited to bring the event back. The dinner is a collaboration between choir, orchestra and band students, who put on a performance for about three hours for 200 guests each night. There are also volunteers to serve food and a “royal court” to enact a story.  Following an audition, senior Cece Beckmann became a princess on the court.

“I thought the dinner show would be fun since this isn’t the type of role I typically find myself in,” Beckmann said.

The royal court has been meeting for one mod every B Day since November to prepare. Beckmann said she has enjoyed her time so far.

“It’s nice the group that got cast works well [after] only being together for a little while,” Beckmann said.

Each guest paid $22 for attendance prior to the reservation deadline on Dec. 5. Orchestra will join the choir and actors on Thursday and the band will join on Friday. Shaffer said all of the students are feeling a mix of emotions in preparing for the dinner.

“They are excited and a bit nervous and aren’t really sure what to expect,” Shaffer said.

Shaffer said she can’t wait to kick off the dinners, especially when she gets to see previous performers in the audience.

“It’s a great evening and memories are made that will last a lifetime. I love that students from previous years continue to come to the dinners and love to talk about when they performed,” she said. “This is such a worthwhile way to share an evening of music and entertainment with family and friends and kick off the holidays,” Shaffer said.