Eight different groups will hit the stage in Rice Auditorium Friday night for the second annual Baker’s Got Talent show.
The show, which is organized by Career Development Center Coordinator Kelly Burns, highlights student and faculty talent, as well as family acts. Two years ago, as the Student Development Office looked to reformat Family Weekend, they decided to add a talent show.
“One of the really fun things that we saw was a talent show,” Burns said. “With our campus just being so widely talented, it fit perfectly.”
Burns thinks the show is a great kickoff to Family Weekend and it’s a good way to showcase the talent at Baker University.
“It’s just a really nice way for people who have talents, who may not always have a stage, (to) be able to show those off,” Burns said. “I know a lot of times we focus, especially during Family Weekend, (that) we have the football game. We get to see our athletes, we get to see the band, even the cheer and dance and all of that.”
While the show is open to all Baker students, faculty, staff and families, this year all eight acts, all include students.
“We had more (acts) last year,” Burns said. “There were quite a few musical groups – bands, quartets and everything. It’s fewer acts, but it’s more varied this year. It’ll have a different feel this year. I’m excited for it this year. I’m excited to see the variety.”
During this year’s event, there will be a video by Baker Orange staff member Gloria Atanmo, a hula-hoop performance, performances by the comedy improvisational troupe Loud Noises and junior Michael Turnbo, who will be playing the violin, as well as other acts.
“I love that people really got creative with it this year and really started thinking outside the box as far as what talent means and how they can show that,” Burns said.
The musical group 8 on Eighth will also be performing at the show.
The group will be singing Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) and the gospel song He Never Failed Me Yet.
Senior Phillip Amstutz is one of the newest members of the group and is excited about performing for the show.
“We’ve been practicing since Monday and the show is on Friday,” Amstutz said. “It’s been going well.”
While Amstutz’s family will not be in the audience Friday night, he is excited about performing for his peers.
“I’m excited, but I’m nervous as well,” he said. “I’m just excited for us to be nailing it and then afterward being really excited about it.”
When Burns began planning the event, she was excited about the talents hidden in Baker students.
“The thing that I’m just blown away by is the talent that comes out of the woodwork,” Burns said. “Things that you didn’t even realize people could do.”
