Cassaundra Roper knows how to belt out a solo, but getting judged and competing against other singers became a whole new experience for her.
The freshman radio and television major sang among 18 other performers at the Multicultural Center’s annual USI Live at the Apollo, Saturday. The show featured an array of acts including rap, poetry, song, spoken word, dance, instrument, monologue, standup comedy and dialogue.
Competitors listened to their iPods before the show, nervously practiced their talents and mingled casually as the crowd grew.
Roper anxiously practiced Jazmine Sullivan’s “In Love With Another Man.”
“I’ve preformed a lot but this is the first time in my life I’ve ever done this for a talent show,” she said prior to stepping on stage as one of the first acts. “I’m excited and anxious, and we still have 15 more minutes before it starts. I just want to go.”
Reoccurring acts from past years and new acts ranging from freshmen to seniors took the stage to sing, dance, play guitar and tickle the crowds’ funny bones. Electrical engineer major Van Thawng said nerves weren’t an issue for him after singing Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up.”
“I’ve been a worship leader for four years. I’m used to singing so I wasn’t nervous,” he said. “I’d do this again. It’s a fun thing to do on the weekend. That’s all that matters.”
The crowd cheered for their favorites throughout the show, and after, the judges tallied the scores. USI graduate Alaisha Johnson-Rone, a former Apollo contestant, said she felt honored to join the judge’s panel.
“It was different,” she said. “I was on the stage all four years at USI and I appreciate it so much more. I respect everyone who had the courage to go up there.”
Each award recipient walked to the stage and claimed his or her victories proudly. Sophomore Jeremy Sandefur placed first in the Artistic Performance category after switching his song last minute.
“I planned a different song, but I still preformed ‘Brand New’,” he said. “I was nervous before going on stage, but when I was up there I was confident. I don’t feel any different about placing. I just did what I had to do.” 2014 USI Live at the Apollo results:
Rhythmic Interpretation Dance and Instrument: Tamera Jones placed first and Ashton Burton placed second.
Lyrical Interpretation: Antonio King placed first, Rylan Kozinski placed second and Xavien Lee placed third.
Individual Artistic Interpretation Rap, Poetry and Spoken Word: Jeremy Sandefur placed first, Nick Sims placed second and Quint McGowan placed third.
Theatrical Interpretation Monologues, Stand-up, Dialogues: Lauren Prazeau placed first.
Group Artistic Interpretation Rap, Poetry and Spoken Word: Briante Melton and Morgan Naylor placed first.
Group Lyrical Interpretation Songs: Ty Scott and Nia Crowe placed first.