60th edition of Singarama shines like a diamond
New partnership with arts college and revived traditions bring creative burst to Singarama 2023.
Janel Shoun-Smith |
This year’s Singarama celebrated its 60th year with the theme “A Diamond Anniversary,” but the students had a lot more to celebrate as this year’s show ushered in a new partnership that brought more student involvement and creativity than ever before.
For the first time, the George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts (CEA) partnered with the Office of Student Life to put on the annual spring musical production. In addition, the Willard and Coba Craig Awards were revived to honor specific student roles in the performance.
This year, Kelvin Kelley, director of community life; Kelsy Campbell, coordinator of community life; and Mike Fernandez, dean of the CEA, came together as executive producers of the show which involved 335 students on stage plus additional arts students who created graphic designs for the set, styled the hosts and hostesses, performed live music and dance, and filmed introductory openings for each of the three acts.
This year’s sweepstakes winner was “Diamond in the Rough,” directed by Bella Peden and Lexi Peden, and presented by Phi Sigma, Phi Nu, Tau Phi, Sigma Alpha and friends.
The show kept its inclusive spirit, encouraging all students to be involved in the fun, said Campbell, but the new partnership brought a greater variety of ways for students to be involved. Serving in the various artistic production roles allowed students to practice their chosen craft, and get excited about being a part of campus-wide tradition, she said.
This year’s three acts were:
- “Diamond in the Rough,” directed by Bella Peden and Lexi Peden, and presented by Phi Sigma, Phi Nu, Tau Phi, Sigma Alpha and friends.
- “No Pressure No Diamonds,” directed by Mackenzie Meadows and Callie Horner, and presented by Delta Omega, Kappa Chi, Theta Psi and friends.
- “Shine Bright like a Diamond,” directed by Jeffrey Martin and Gray Pullias, and presented by Pi Delta, Gamma Lambda, Sigma Iota Delta and friends.
“No Pressure No Diamonds,” directed by Mackenzie Meadows and Callie Horner, and presented by Delta Omega, Kappa Chi, Theta Psi and friends.
Lipscomb’s CEA students and faculty lent their creative talent to areas of the show that haven’t usually enjoyed such artistic expertise, Campbell said.
Since 2015, students have used a video board as a set backdrop, but this year animation students, led by faculty member Tom Bancroft, drew custom-designed graphics for each act. Graphics shown during the host and hostesses’ performances were custom-designed by Visiting Professor Eric Stars.
Videos of each director and some cast members introducing the three acts were filmed by students Annie Duda and Zach Freedline, along with cinematic arts chair Melissa Forte, while the show itself was filmed by adjunct faculty member Matt Huesmann.
• “Shine Bright like a Diamond,” directed by Jeffrey Martin and Gray Pullias, and presented by Pi Delta, Gamma Lambda, Sigma Iota Delta and friends.
Also new this year were expert costume selection and styling for the seven hosts and hostesses by fashion students Joellie Anderson and Baylee Snedden and fashion faculty members Charlotte Poling and Sissy Simmons.
This year’s hosts and hostesses were Josiah Smith, sophomore; Kaylin Townsend, senior; Shawna Mann, senior; Kelle Cates, senior; Logan Bennett, freshman; Reiley Moore, junior; and Meridith Roberson, senior.
Two other on-stage firsts brought a new level of professionalism to the host-and-hostess performances: the live Singarama Band consisted of students from the School of Music and was directed by music adjunct faculty John Painter and Fleming McWilliams; and the Singarama student dance team accompanied the hosts and hostesses for the first time with student-created choreography by Mary Humphrey and direction by faculty member Kari Smith.
This year’s hosts and hostesses were Josiah Smith, Kaylin Townsend, Shawna Mann, Kelle Cates, Logan Bennett, Reiley Moore and Meridith Roberson.
Horner, director of “No Pressure No Diamonds,” was described as dedicated, having an include-nature and demonstrating love for the show as she received the Willard Award, a Singarama tradition of the past that the Office of Student Life revived for 2023.
Likewise, Drew Dragan, was awarded the newly created Coba Craig Award (named for the alumnus who came up with the idea for Singarama), for having the most Singarama spirit. Craig was in the audience Saturday evening to see the award presented on the 60th anniversary of his brainchild.
To bring the fun for parents and alumni as well, the first-ever Singarama Social, was held between the two performances on Saturday, making local food trucks, a photo booth and on-campus socializing available for students, parents and alumni all afternoon.
the live Singarama Band was made up of students from the School of Music and directed by music adjunct faculty John Painter and Fleming McWilliams.
Singarama participants are divided into three shows, provided a theme and asked to develop storylines, write scripts including 8 to 10 songs, choreograph numbers, create sets and costumes, and perform in the 25-minute shows. A panel of judges evaluates the show using five categories: entertainment, vocals, theme, visual elements, and choreography.
One overall Sweepstakes winner is selected. This year’s winner was “Diamond in the Rough.” The story was about an orphaned songwriter who, while competing for a life-changing gig against his rival, meets a magical genie who grants him three wishes. As he prepares for his audition, he meets the girl of his dreams who helps him learn the importance of selflessness and authenticity.
“Diamond in the Rough” was also awarded for visual elements, choreography and theme. “Shine Bright like a Diamond” was awarded for entertainment and vocals.
For the first time, the Singarama student dance team accompanied the hosts and hostesses with student-created choreography.