MC’s performing arts clubs showcase their talent for family weekend
On Saturday, Nov. 1, MC students and their families gathered in the Alumni gym for the MC’s got talent event. This event is held every year on the Saturday night of Family Weekend to give MC’s performing arts clubs a chance to showcase all of their hard work so far.
“I love this event because every student that participates in this event does it because they love it. They aren’t getting any class credit for it. They aren’t getting paid for it. It’s just because you all love doing what you do. It’s kind of like a show and tell when you’re in kindergarten. It’s to show your parents what you really love doing,” Dr. Vandy Kemp, MC Vice-president and Dean of Students said.
The event was emceed by Paul Earheart-Brown, senior, and Nick Peterson, sophomore, who kept the audience entertained with their cheesy jokes and dance off to “Turn Down for What” and “Shake it Off.”
First up was the MC Scotties dance team who performed two of their halftime dance routines from football season, a jazz routine choreographed by Allyson Boling, alumni, to “Move” and a pom routine choreographed by Rachel Burton, senior dance team captain, to “Bang Bang.”
The dance ensemble performed two numbers as a preview for their movie themed show on Nov. 8. They showcased their versatility by performing two different styles of dance. The first was a lyrical number choreographed by Emily Fain, junior, to “Down by the River” from the movie “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou.” The second dance the ensemble performed was a James Bond inspired jazz piece choreographed by August Greer, junior, and Claire Macmillan, sophomore, to a remix of the James Bond movie theme.
Sarah Bond, senior, represented the theatre department with her performance of a monologue from “Macbeth.” Bond plays Macbeth in the MC theatre’s adaptation, “Macbeth is the New Black” on Nov. 13-16.
Voices of Praise, under the musical direction of Larry Erwin, brought down the house with their performance of three gospel songs, “Finish Strong/Strong Finish,” “God is on Our Side,” and “If He Did it Before (He Can Do it Again).”
The night was concluded with a performance by the “Strolling Scots” MC step team who wowed the audience with their step routine.
This event is different from the more structured events audiences will normally see these clubs perform at. Unlike a theatre production, a halftime show, or a dance ensemble show, the event is more relaxed and allows the student performers to share their talent as well as a bit of their personality. Every club member that performs introduces themselves to the audience on stage by giving their name, year, hometown and major.
MC’s got talent is an annual event that allows MC’s performing arts clubs to show MC families the talent the college has and the hard work that students put into the clubs they love throughout the year.