Point Loma High School (PLHS) has been around a lot longer than Starbucks, but not everyone knows about its coffeehouse. “Coffeehouse,” the PLHS comedy variety show that has been around for more than two decades, will be serving up laughs, not lattes, at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23 when it gives its closing-night performance to a crowd that is expected to be full of rowdy Pointer friends and family. A performance also precedes that on Friday, Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m. What makes the show popular with its local audience and unique among many high school programs is that it is entirely produced by the students. Everything from the auditions and casting to the writing and directing is handled by members of the PLHS Thespians Club. Theater teacher Jennifer Gardham oversees the students’ activities, but she is there for guidance only, not to call the shots. “All the thespians are involved in some kind of leadership position,” said Gardham. “I poke my head here and there to let them know they can’t say that word or use that song, but it is all student run.” This year’s show has a cast and crew of nearly 70 students, of which 15 are International Thespian Society members. “Coffeehouse” is the first production of the school year, but thespian members begin preparations for the show as much as two months in advance, writing skits and choreographing dances during summer. In September, auditions for the show take place during a two-week period, and competition to be in the show can be fierce. “This year was our biggest audition turnout,” said “Coffeehouse” director Jackie Kelleher. “More than 120 people tried out, and we had to limit it to 50. It was really hard for us to narrow it down when we had so many good auditions.” The audition process itself can be nerve-wracking for the participants, who are asked to do voices, tell jokes and play a variety of characters. “[My] freshman year I auditioned in front of all seniors and that was kind of scary,” said senior Lexi Hardin, who is performing in her second “Coffeehouse” production. “I was shaking really bad. I was so nervous, but it was fun.” Those who make the final cut develop a camaraderie with the other performers that makes it all worthwhile. For those in the audience, the result is a talent showcase of comedy skits, dancing and special acts that is original, entertaining and impressive, given the age of its youthful producers. With its long tradition of humorous fun, including student impressions of teachers, “Coffeehouse” is easily the favorite PLHS production of the year, but for the thespians involved, it is not all jokes and giggles. It is also the group’s main source of income. Ticket and concession sales from all theater performances — including “Coffeehouse” — are used to pay the many costs of putting on a production, such as paint and lumber for sets, costume rentals and royalty fees that can run as much as $2,000, depending on the show. “Thank God ‘Coffeehouse’ is popular,” said Gardham. “We do get money from the district from time to time to help with major expenses, but I can’t count on it.” Even with the popularity of “Coffeehouse,” Gardham has felt the pinch of budget cuts, and recently had to reduce the number of annual drama productions from three to two, leaving the thespians with only one opportunity outside of the variety show to practice their craft. With the help of a few parent volunteers, Gardham is trying to raise additional funds to restore the full drama program by initiating a thespian booster club. It is hoped that the same support system that works for high school athletic teams can work for an arts program. For the student thespians, a booster club is an opportunity to perhaps expand their popularity beyond just “Coffeehouse.” “Coffeehouse is our most popular performance of the year, but that doesn’t mean our other shows don’t live up to that,” said Kelleher. “We did Arsenic and Old Lace, which wasn’t our most popular show, but the acting was spectacular.” Tickets are $6 and can be purchased at the Larry Zeiger Performing Arts Center at Point Loma High (2335 Chatsworth Blvd.), or by calling (619) 223-3121, ext. 4509. The Point Loma Thespians are nothing if not versatile. Soon, they will go from the caffeinated high jinxs of “Coffeehouse” to the intoxicating mix of jazz and liquor: next on their agenda is a production of “Chicago.”