Written by Amanda Davis, Editor-In-Chief
Photos by Abigail Rittrell
Rudd Auditorium was filled with comedy, musical performances, and birthday celebrations last Thursday night as Bryan’s best performed at the annual Bryan’s Got Talent. Dozens of students faced off in front of four judges for the chance to win a $300 prize. Sophomore Kent Burger and Junior Jack Smith hosted the event throughout the night, introducing the different acts and interacting with the various audience members and judges.
Mason Cheeks won the $300 first place prize with his performance of Small-Town Saturday Night by Hal Ketchum. Babyface and The Beard, otherwise known as Seniors Daniel Cox and Andrew Rollins, took the $200 second place prize for their country-music style rendition of popular songs. Senior Joshua Cresswell and Junior David Quillman took $100 and third place for their lively performance of All My Favorite People by Over the Rhine.
Kyla Philips, a Junior and a BGT judge, said that there were four categories that the judges were looking for: quality, stage presence, preparedness, and originality. Contestants could win a maximum of ten points in each category.
“I think it’s just a way for people to show off their uniqueness and individuality,” Philips said.
Most of the acts centered around music, specifically singing. Freshman Allison Fournier dazzled the audience during her performance of Can’t Take My Eyes Off You by Frankie Valli. Sophomore Andrew Morris transported people to Broadway with Still from Anastasia the Musical, and Bryan Janitorial Duo had a brawl onstage dressed as clowns.
Cheeks said that he picked his song to reflect his experience of growing up in a small southern town. He is a commuter, and he said that participating at events like BGT helps him connect with people on campus.
Cox and Rollins said that they pick out their songs based on two pieces of criteria: popularity and Bryan appropriateness. “We want to keep them recognizable enough that people will be able to get along with it, but also different,” Rollins said.
Cresswall played his guitar behind his head, his back, and between his legs. For him, playing behind his back was the most difficult.
Cresswall discovered All My Favorite People during his freshman year. He said that it reminds him of a time in his life where he didn’t have a lot of people, but where he wanted to be whole.
“Everybody is broken, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing,” Cresswall said.
Amanda Davis is a senior communications major and creative writing minor at Bryan College. She is a Kansas City native and loves reading, writing and photography.
