Coffeehouse kick off

‘The Legends’ auditions began Feb. 29 and will continue through March 4

Thousands of students will once again fill the Vines Center Saturday, April 9 to attend a night of music, laughter and entertainment as Liberty University’s Student Activities (SA) work hours on end to pull off the grandest, late night event of the semester: Coffeehouse.

This semester’s Coffeehouse theme, “The Legends,” is all about honoring some of the most timeless and influential performers across the cinematic and musical spectrums.

From the musical and rhythmic genius of Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley to the iconic roles portrayed by Lucille Ball and Robin Williams, many of these performances are well known.

According to SA Director Stephanie Ward, it seemed only fitting to pay a tribute to some of the most legendary celebrities the industry has ever seen.

“We always try to find fresh ideas and themes for Coffeehouse,” Ward said. “We haven’t done a theme so focused on entertainment and celebrities, so we thought honoring the legends was the perfect way to do so.”

Tryouts for this semester’s event began Monday, Feb. 29 and will end Friday, March 4. Auditions are held from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the LaHaye Event Space.

Tryouts are open to all students. However, some restrictions may apply. For groups auditioning, groups of three or less must all be current Liberty students, whereas groups featuring four or more members must be at least 75 percent Liberty students, according to the SA website.

Auditions operate on a first come, first serve basis. According to SA, musical acts planning to sing along with a track will not be permitted to perform. Musical acts are required to sign up with all group members present as well as provide their own instruments, amps and cables at auditions. SA will provide drum kits for the tryouts in order to remain time efficient.

Video submissions should be entered to the SA Office during their office hours (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) or during audition times. Videos should not exceed five minutes in duration. Any
videos with footage of “illegal or unlawful activity” (which also refers to the Liberty Way) will not be considered, according to the SA rules. For more information about regulations, go to liberty.edu/campusrec/studentactivities.

For drama, dance or other performances, it is crucial to come prepared with lines and routines completely memorized and music correctly formatted as it would be at the real event. However, full costumes, sets or stage props are not necessary for auditions.

According to Ward, Coffeehouse auditions see close to 70 acts and more than 20 videos each semester, although only about 30 altogether are chosen to perform or air. Members of the SA staff judge performances based upon a range of criteria, including song choice, stage presence, vocals and simply how well the act fits with the overall theme of the show.

“There’s a lot of talent here at Liberty,” Ward said. “Coffeehouse is one of the most unique experiences on our campus. From bands to skits and videos, the student body has so much to offer. You pay (under $10) to see some of the best performers on campus come together for one night. I don’t know that I’ve seen anything like it anywhere else.”

Ward expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming show while giving some insight on specific performances she is eager to see.

“I am excited about the theme overall,” Ward said. “I think it’s going to be a big hit and I’m really hoping we see some awesome costumes of famous celebrities, (but) anyone that can pull off a Michael Jackson moonwalk while performing a song of his takes home the trophy in my book.”

For performers, this semester’s Coffeehouse is an opportunity to honor those that have left a lasting impression in the world of music, television and film, while building their very own legacy. For others, it is a chance to take a break from the often hectic and stress-filled season of exams and deadlines to enjoy talented performances while surrounded by friends and fellow classmates.

The show is set for Saturday, April 9 at 11:30 p.m. in the Vines Center.

Tickets can be purchased from the Vines Box Office or the online Student Tickets portal. Early bird general admission tickets are $3 until March 11. The price will then increase to $5 until April 9 and will be $7 at the door. Floor tables for the show are officially sold out.

For more information on the rules, audition times or ticket purchases, visit liberty.edu/studentactivities.

ELLIOTT is a feature reporter.