After Dark 2006 to Showcase Baylor Talent

by Katie Brooks, student newswriter, (254) 710-1961

After Dark, an annual All-University variety show, will feature the talent of Baylor University students Friday, Sept. 22, at 7 and 10 p.m., in Waco Hall.

After Dark has been part of the Parents' Weekend tradition for approximately 20 years. Students auditioned for a panel of judges Sept. 6 and 7 and event coordinators chose acts based on talent and variety.

"After Dark is special because it's open to anyone and everyone. This year's show has a real variety. We have a little bit of everything--from poetry reading to baton twirling," said Brittany Temple, graduate assistant for special performances.

After Dark 2006 will showcase 17 acts and include group performances, solo performances, singing, instrumental music, dance and comedy, according to Temple. Two performers are returning to this year's show - Johnna McGill will twirl batons and Keron Jackson will sing.

Clinton Pickens, a 2003 Baylor alumnus, will host the talent show.

The talent show will feature:

• Chris Dunn, James Kimmel, Taylor Smith and Brant Taylor singing "Good Old A Cappella"
• Nia Martin performing "Melt," an original song, featuring Kalette Krampitz and Rachel Helmer
• Caitlin Raye Cima reading "A Romantic Moment," a poem adapted from a piece by Tony Hoagland
• Anthony Carillo singing "Why God Why?" from "Miss Saigon" with Stephen Variames
• Hunter Smith singing "If I Were a Rich Man" from "Fiddler on the Roof"
• Joel White playing "Crested Hen" on the hammer dulcimer
• Natalie Baker and Matt Benton performing "Sure Thing," a scene from a play by David Ives
• Seth Philpott and The Jam of the Century (Seth Philpott, Ben Greer, Mason Ingram and John Seward) performing "Heartbreaker," an original song
• Autumn Lights (Ellie Castleberry, Clay Harrison, Matt Hyman, Kasey Hunter and Brandon Oswald) performing "Still Wing," an original song
• Johnna McGill performing "Bello Amore," a baton twirling act from Cirque du Soleil
• Michael Gasparro singing "Save the Last Dance"
• Hunter Chambers performing a comedic monologue, "Nefertiti & Ariel"
• Colby Amparan, Seth Philpott, Steven Samuels and Eric Schell singing "One Heart to Lose," an original song
• Denise Hearn and Ashley Harrington singing a duet
• Jonny Hagar playing "Improvisations" on the violin
• Adriel "AJ" Meditz playing Rachmaninoff's "Prelude Op. 23 No. 5" on the piano
• Keron Jackson singing and accompanied by Zachary Ridge

The 7 p.m. show will present the recipients of The First Families of Baylor Award and Baylor University's Parents of the Year awards.

Tickets are available for $10, $12 and $14 at the ticket office in the Bill Daniel Student Center.

For more information on After Dark 2006, contact Temple at (254)710-4994.