On February 17, SAS Puxi will hold its annual Puxi Showcase. For those who don’t know, Showcase is the major opportunity for SAS students to perform their varied talents. The Echo spoke to the school’s director of performing arts and the show’s producer, Dr. Doug Hundley, to find out more about what students can expect at this year’s spectacle.
As it turns out, Puxi Showcase is the product of several clubs’ initiatives to celebrate student talents.
“We used to have a few different talent shows going at the same time hosted by different clubs, and it got out of control because it was the same students performing and it wasn’t a lot of variety. We reorganized so there would be one official talent show, and Dance Society was fortunate enough to be the club to take control of it.”
While we already get to see some talent at our Monday assemblies, Dr. Hundley explains why this is the ultimate opportunity for all kinds of performers.
“Since there’s one talent show, we’re trying to make it all inclusive. There’s not an audition process, anybody can come and be a part of the show, and that’s why we kind of unofficially call it the official talent show—I mean, there’s other things like Relay for Life’s open mic night. But they’re smaller things, this is the show where we are trying to say, for all performers who want a chance on the stage, this is your chance. It’s our showcase.”
“We invite the middle school students to also contribute and last year, I think we had a sixth or seventh grader sing and play piano. That is something that would never have happened otherwise, and she was really grateful for the chance. A lot of people are just kind of shy, and we need them to get out and tell them it’s okay if they have some unique talent.”
While common among talent shows, Showcase aims to prepare a night of more than just song and dance. The show is promoted as an opportunity for students with a range of talents, potentially even outside of the arts.
“We want all types of performers! We get to see a lot of dance, we get to see a lot of musicians. What we don’t see are those unique performers that do stuff outside of dance and music. [We’ve had] stand-up comedy, we’ve had improve—there is some acting and some sketches that people write and then do.”
“I remember a long, long time ago, there was a Rubik’s cube champion. He could do the Rubik’s cube with his feet, and he did that as a talent. And he could do it under something like thirty seconds. With his feet! So we set up a timer and a camera on his feet, and he performed. That was his act. That was probably the most unique talent I’ve seen.”
With Showcase, there is no high-pressure audition process to worry about. The stage is open to everybody.
“Anybody who is interested can email a brief description of what they want to do and we will be in touch. Producers will contact them and ask them more questions. I mean, there’s obviously limitations—if somebody’s a lion tamer, we can’t cater to all talents. But we will contact everybody and let them know that we’re here to help.”
“There is not a lot of rehearsal process: you sign up, you say your act, then we say, okay, go off and practice it. We will have a tech rehearsal, and that’s when every performer comes and we get to see what they do—just us, the producers—and get them ready. And hopefully it will be very good!”
This year, Dance Society is adding a new spin on the show—surprise guest judges!
“This is the first time that we’ll have judges. What the judges are looking for is not a particular skill level, but the entertainment value, and to coach and offer some feedback. It’s not a contest: we don’t have a winner, but we do have judges.”
And the judges’ identities? For that, you will have to make the show.
Puxi Showcase will be held at the PAC on Friday, February 17 at 3:30 pm. Tickets will be sold at 30rmb at the PAC office or from Dance Society members.
While the sign-up sheet has already been filled, you can email saspxdancesociety@gmail.com with any questions.
As it turns out, Puxi Showcase is the product of several clubs’ initiatives to celebrate student talents.
“We used to have a few different talent shows going at the same time hosted by different clubs, and it got out of control because it was the same students performing and it wasn’t a lot of variety. We reorganized so there would be one official talent show, and Dance Society was fortunate enough to be the club to take control of it.”
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| Photo credits to Photo Club |
“Since there’s one talent show, we’re trying to make it all inclusive. There’s not an audition process, anybody can come and be a part of the show, and that’s why we kind of unofficially call it the official talent show—I mean, there’s other things like Relay for Life’s open mic night. But they’re smaller things, this is the show where we are trying to say, for all performers who want a chance on the stage, this is your chance. It’s our showcase.”
“We invite the middle school students to also contribute and last year, I think we had a sixth or seventh grader sing and play piano. That is something that would never have happened otherwise, and she was really grateful for the chance. A lot of people are just kind of shy, and we need them to get out and tell them it’s okay if they have some unique talent.”
 |
| Photo credits to Photo Club |
“We want all types of performers! We get to see a lot of dance, we get to see a lot of musicians. What we don’t see are those unique performers that do stuff outside of dance and music. [We’ve had] stand-up comedy, we’ve had improve—there is some acting and some sketches that people write and then do.”
“I remember a long, long time ago, there was a Rubik’s cube champion. He could do the Rubik’s cube with his feet, and he did that as a talent. And he could do it under something like thirty seconds. With his feet! So we set up a timer and a camera on his feet, and he performed. That was his act. That was probably the most unique talent I’ve seen.”
With Showcase, there is no high-pressure audition process to worry about. The stage is open to everybody.
“Anybody who is interested can email a brief description of what they want to do and we will be in touch. Producers will contact them and ask them more questions. I mean, there’s obviously limitations—if somebody’s a lion tamer, we can’t cater to all talents. But we will contact everybody and let them know that we’re here to help.”
“There is not a lot of rehearsal process: you sign up, you say your act, then we say, okay, go off and practice it. We will have a tech rehearsal, and that’s when every performer comes and we get to see what they do—just us, the producers—and get them ready. And hopefully it will be very good!”
This year, Dance Society is adding a new spin on the show—surprise guest judges!
“This is the first time that we’ll have judges. What the judges are looking for is not a particular skill level, but the entertainment value, and to coach and offer some feedback. It’s not a contest: we don’t have a winner, but we do have judges.”
And the judges’ identities? For that, you will have to make the show.
Puxi Showcase will be held at the PAC on Friday, February 17 at 3:30 pm. Tickets will be sold at 30rmb at the PAC office or from Dance Society members.
While the sign-up sheet has already been filled, you can email saspxdancesociety@gmail.com with any questions.
