With flashing lights and bedazzling performances, Moorpark College’s 13th Annual Talent Show rocked, inspired and flat-out entertained many students and parents last Friday, Jan. 28.
With performances ranging from interpretive dancers to live bands, from comedians to magicians, MC students charismatically competed in front of a live audience and three student judges in hopes of winning the $300 grand prize.
“Based on rehearsal last night, I think [the talent show] is going to go very well,” said Lisa Audish, Associated Student Board member and Chair of the event.
MC’s Talent Show, which was free to the public, facilitated the opportunity for students to display their passions in front of their peers in a competitive format. Second and third place contestants were awarded $200 and $300 respectively for the student-centric event that was held in Moorpark’s Performing Arts center.
Initial sign-ups and auditions for the talent show took place last Dec. 2010. Through this process a panel decided and reduced the show down to 15 performances to be featured in the evening.
It took the ASB approximately four months to organize the event. In order to bring the project into fruition, building space in the PAC had to be reserved and judges had to be chosen.
When asked what the purpose of the Talent Show was, A.S. Advisor Sharon Miller responded: “To support student life at Moorpark College, and showcase the amazing student talent we have right here on campus.”
Students were chosen to be the judges of the event because Audish believed the talent would have been more comfortable performing for familiar faces. The talent would have a tangible connection with the judges.
All performers were excited to get on stage.
“I’m just doing it to get up there and have fun,” said 19-year-old Vocalist Mary Gray. Gray, as well as her younger sister, Gracie, competed against each other in the show.
The judges chosen were Honors Club President Neema Yazdchi, Student Staff Member Emanuel Canaca and Philosophy Club President Erick Torres.
The performers were critiqued in categories including entertainment value, stage presence, audience response and overall performance. The event’s Emcee, magician and past MC alumni Yuri Drell, stated that the judges’ results were “close.”
At the end of the night, third prize went to Twist: a two-man local band and the first to perform that night. Second prize went to Gracie Gray, and the winner of the Talent Show was Mary Gray.
Moorpark College’s 13th annual talent show provided a variety of performances and kept the crowd alive throughout the night.
