Expect Laughs at Faculty Night Live [VIDEO]

Four years ago, a group of teachers stunned students.

The auditorium lights dimmed. Michael Jackson's "Thriller" blared over speakers. Then the teachers broke into the famous living-dead dance, sending the audience into a frenzy.

"We shocked everyone," teacher Kathy LaRosa said.

LaRosa said the crowd at Thursday's 5th Annual Faculty Night Live at 7:30 p.m. at the auditorium should expect another evening of surprises.

About 45 staff members and 13 students have helped organized the production, which will boast live music and jokes. The event, founded by LaRosa and mainly organized by teachers Mike Batche and George Segale, will benefit the high school's senior and sophomore classes. Advance tickets cost $5 while at-the-door entry costs $7.

"This is probably the most fun, at least as a faculty, we'll have all year," Batche said. "And I think that shows from the stage. If people can feel from the stage what we've got going on, they'll really enjoy it."

Batche said the event has seen its attendance skyrocket since its 2008 inception.

"The kids will get a kick out of it because it's fun," LaRosa said. "It's a bunch of fun for everybody involved, everybody watching."

This year's show might top the rest, lead writer Sandy DeRose said. The English teacher said Thursday's "teachers in trouble" theme was built into a script that took about a month to fashion.

She said she expects the audience to be caught off guard again and again.

"We always try to catch people snoozing," DeRose said. "There will be a lot of surprises this year."

But one thing will remain a constant.

"We always lead with a fun sketch and jump right into, 'Live from Hopatcong, it's Faculty Night Live!'" Batche said.