NAIT’s Got Talent

by Colleen Nuc

“I surprised myself a lot tonight, and I’ll probably be spending my money on beer and groceries.”

 That’s what Cillian Cross, a first year Pre-Tech student said after winning the grand prize of $500 for being NAIT’s most talented student, well, at least until next year’s talent show. Cross showed off his talent on the drums, taking a unique approach by turning is back to the audience which he says gives the audience a chance to “see what I’m doing with both my hands and my feet. It adds to my performance.”

Cross’ performance was definitely entertaining, and made his mother proud, who was there in the audience to cheer him on. “I used to gather my girlfriends and get them to cheer Cillian on so loud when he was in a band, we would get all the young girls to scream too.”

Cross says that he has been playing the drums for six years, but “it’s only the second time I’ve played in three months, but I usually try to play everyday.”

This year’s talent show featured three judges on the judging panel: NAITSA’s very own Jill Peterson, Stephanie Bosch, an up-and-coming musician who’s graced the stages of Edmonton’s Folk Festival and Carlo Atienza, one fifth of the dance group White Chocolate. The judges looked for four things in a performance: the level of talent of the student, the quality of his/her performance, level of preparedness and of course, the entertainment factor.

NAIT’s Got Talent showcased a wide range of talents from singers to comedians to Japanese flutists. Some were fabulous while others, well, could use a little work. Some of the highlights included Curtis Wolfe, a young amateur comedian who shows promising talent. I always cringe when I see a new comedian on stage due to the high risk of being incredibly unfunny. However, Wolfe refused to be put under “sucky “ category and instead work the audience in his favor.

In general the show lacked in energy, the sound was a little quiet and the venue wasn’t as packed as last year’s talent show. It was also really hard to hear the judges’ feedback, which is always the best part of any talent show. However, the show was extremely entertaining, and any student who has the confidence to go up on stage and show off their many talents, which would get a gold star in my book any day. As for this year’s winner Cillian Cross, who is now $500 richer, he says “if I can do it, anybody can do it.”

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