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Between free-style Korean hip-hop, beatboxing and a college-themed rendition of DJ Class’s “I’m the Ish,” the auditions for the senior class talent show varied both in genre and quality Sunday evening.

A total of 20 acts, overwhelmingly of the musical variety, vied for an opportunity only about half would receive — the chance to perform at Memorial Hall in the Oct. 9 show, “Seniors Got Talent.”

Meggie Staffiera, senior class president, spearheaded this year’s show and said she set out to make it different from previous years’ events. Proceeds from the show will fund local service projects.

Calling the event a “throwback to a high school talent show,” Staffiera said this year’s event will focus on bringing the class of 2010 together. Tickets, which go on sale Sept. 28, will cost $10 for seniors and $12 for the rest of the student body.

“This is a great opportunity for seniors to connect with other seniors on a really real level,” she said.

Staffiera said the selection committee was looking for acts ranging from dance troupes to singers to “odd but amusing and fun-to-watch talents.”

The talents they ‘got’

Young Jin Chang, a senior economics major from South Korea, auditioned with Madison Barnett, a sophomore from Chapel Hill.

The duo performed two original hip-hop songs, with Chang rapping in Korean and Barnett in English.

Meredith McCoy, a senior music and anthropology major, auditioned the song, “A Case of You” by Joni Mitchell. She said she had planned to audition with accompaniment, but her pianist came down with H1N1.

“I have always loved performing,” McCoy said. “And I’m involved with too many other things on campus to get involved with groups like the Loreleis. It’s a great way to show people what’s going on.”

Yorick de Visser, a senior dramatic art major from the Netherlands, said he wanted people to become aware of a talent he has been honing for the past three years.

He performed an improvised beatboxing routine that left the room stunned.

“My thing is a little bit unique,” de Visser said, who decided to audition to provide variety from the singing acts.

Others tried to make their acts stand out by showcasing their personality in addition to talent.

Senior Heather Minchew auditioned wearing what she described as an ‘80s outfit.

“That part is optional,” she said, jokingly. But she didn’t joke about her reason to audition.

“I thought it would be really cool to perform in Memorial Hall and to get to do a big performance in front of a lot of people,” Minchew said.

At the end of the auditions, the selection committee had to make decisions. The people who auditioned will learn via e-mail today whether they will be part of the show.

Staffiera said the decisions would be difficult.

“We’re honored to be part of such a diverse and talented class,” Staffiera said.

“And we can’t wait to have everyone see what we saw tonight.”


Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.

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