Lanthorn.com

GV's 'Got Talent' to hit campus stage

By Liz Reyna GVL Senior Reporter
2/16/2009

With popular reality shows sweeping the nation, the word "talent" is at times used very loosely by television programming.

In an effort to fix this problem, Grand Valley State University's Office of Student Life will aim to prove GVSU is the real deal by holding auditions for its first-ever "Grand Valley's Got Talent" show.

Inspired by NBC's "America's Got Talent," the OSL and Spotlight Productions will welcome acts of all kinds to audition on Wednesday. These auditions are first in a three-part series of auditions leading up to a final show for Family Weekend in October 2009, and the winner will be awarded a cash prize.

Danica Sardin, student organizer behind the show, said the event is the perfect Friday activity for Family Weekend.

"I think that we wanted to have a big event that could be another tradition of Family Weekend," Sardin said.

During the final show, students will perform in front of a panel of judges of fellow peers -- yet to be determined -- that will judge them on a variety of criteria, Sardin said.

Some of the talents that will be featured in the upcoming auditions are singers, a saxophonist and a poet.

Sardin said the show is a way for students to gain experience being on stage.

The original idea behind the show, she said, was to highlight unusual talents. However, all talents are encouraged.

"I would like for students to walk away saying 'Man, what I thought was just a hobby is actually something people can enjoy,'" she said. "Hopefully the show will give everyone a place to belong and feel accepted."

Natalie Clearly, another student organizer behind the show, said the wide range of talent should be the perfect event for families and for students supporting their peers.

"Family Weekend is a large event and prominent campus tradition, so we are hoping that it will provide the opportunity for students' families to attend the show, along with other students and community members," Cleary said.

Zellia Fossett, who said she has been writing since she could pick up a pen, will perform a poem called "Obsession." She added she thinks the show will be a great learning experience for her.

"I want to perform because I need the practice and because I know that my talent is bigger than I am," Fossett said. "My voice, as a poet, is for the people and I can use 'Grand Valley's Got Talent' as an outlet for all the words that flow through me."

Showcasing talents such as Fossett's, after all, is what the event is all about, Sardin said.

"'Grand Valley's Got Talent' is important to GVSU because our students can do more than excel in the academics and athletics," she said. "They have a life outside of the classroom and I see this as a way in which they are sharing something personal with the campus. Hopefully the show will encourage others to find or create a hobby that they would really enjoy."

lreyna@lanthorn.com

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