By Julian Bayan

For nearly five decades, the comedy sketch show “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) has been a staple of American entertainment, ingraining its name in pop culture since it first aired on NBC in 1975.

Granada Hills Charter (GHC) Student Night Live is a club inspired by SNL that is undergoing an exciting transformation. What began as an extracurricular club under the leadership of senior Sofia Celis, its founder, is now becoming an official student-led program with support and funding from the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) department.

Student Night Live (SNL) aims to bring the magic of sketch comedy to the GHC community, producing live performances of original sketches written and performed by its members. 

With guidance from VAPA department chair Julie Neumann and support from English teacher and current club advisor Shayna Arhanian, plans to transition Student Night Live into a program are in progress. 

Student Night Live will join other VAPA programs like Jazz Band, Orchestra, and more who perform for the student body after school.

“I initially spoke to Mrs. Neuman, who then spoke to Mr. Gomez,” Celis said. “We had to propose the idea of turning the club into a program to someone in a higher position, such as Ms. Howelman. Although Student Night Live will still be student-led, Mrs. Arhanian is still our advisor who will continue to support the production process, and is fully behind making this a program.”

Each semester is considered a season for the program, with performances referred to as episodes, just like SNL. With the program’s changes set to be finalized next semester, GHC will see just one season of Student Night Live this school year.

Under Celis’ leadership, the program promises to offer students a creative outlet and bring the community together through laughter and entertainment.