Performing Arts Club hosts the fourth edition of Delaware Tech’s Got Talent
(Photo by P. Szczepanska)
Michael Wingate receives his prize after winning the competition with his beatbox routine.
By Paulina Szczepanska
The Performing Arts Club hosted its fourth edition of the Delaware Tech’s Got Talent on Nov. 10 in the Arts and Science Center Theater.
Among nine performing acts, Delaware Tech students and workers showcased their talents in music, comedy and dance. Each performer had five minutes on stage.
The four-judge panel consisted of: Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Melissa Rakes, Music Notes Advisor Cory Dunt, President of Student Government Association Samuel Schlegel and local singer Valerie McNickol.
The judges awarded performers with cash prizes for first ($100), second ($50) and third place ($25).
The winner of the night was General Business major Michael Wingate. He said it was his second year competing in the Delaware’s Tech Got Talent, and his beatbox routines helped him win the show both times.
Wingate said he loves music, especially a-capella. He used to be the president of the school’s music club, Music Notes, where he played drums, sang and did beatboxing for the group.
Wingate mentioned he’s been involved with music for three years now, so performing on stage isn’t a huge issue for him, though sometimes he still gets a little anxious.
“If you are a performer and you’re never nervous, then you’re not performing to the best of your ability,” he said.
Dr. Rakes said it was hard for the judges to agree on the winners because the competitors were so diverse.
“All of the acts were just so wonderful and so different,” Rakes said. “It’s really hard to compare someone who’s covering the song to someone who has an original one, to someone who does standup comedy.”
She said all three performers brought equal levels of talent but different approaches, which made it difficult to pick just one winner.
The audience resolved the tie with applause. The loudest cheers went for Michael Wingate taking the first place. The Deaf Culture Club won the second place for their dance and sign language music routine, and the third prize went to the guitarist Joel Rudnick.
Performing Arts Club Advisor Gayle Parola said students came up with the talent show idea four years ago.
“Everybody knew they had some sort of a talent and they wanted to showcase that,” said Parola. “We are really excited that this show kept going for four years.”
Performing Arts Club helps students get out of their shells, she said. Students gain their confidence through improvisation acts, singing, dancing, and anything else that lets them be in the center of attention.
“We work on being comfortable on stage,” said Parola. “We try to make it fun.”
For more information about the Performing Arts Club or to join, email: owensperformart@dtcc.edu
(Photo by P. Szczepanska)
Deaf Culture Club pulls up on stage Dean of Student Affairs Melissa Rakes to join their dance routine in tribute to Michael Jackson.
(Photo by P. Szczepanska)
The Performing Arts Club advisor Gayle Parola (far left) asks the audience to help resolve the tie between the judges top three winners: Michael Wingate (left), Deaf Culture Club (middle) and Joel Rudnick (right).