By Jessica Foreman
Reporter

Thirteen acts were selected for the After Dark performance, set for Sept. 23. About 60 Baylor students auditioned Tuesday and Wednesday in Waco Hall for Baylor University’s After Dark student variety show.

After Dark is an annual all-university event held during Parents’ Weekend organized by the Department of Student Activities that features musical theater numbers, stand-up comedy, dance, and vocal artists.

Keith Frazee, coordinator of student productions, said the performances at this year’s auditions were “as always, impressive.”

“Baylor students have a great deal of talent, and we enjoy seeing all of it,” said Frazee, who was a judge for the After Dark auditions, along with his graduate assistant, Beth Roller, and the members of the student productions committee.

2011 After Dark Selections: The Little Rascals Clare Berlinsky & Max Helmerich “Barton Hollow” – The Civil Wars Baylor Dance Company “Can’t Stop” – Maroon 5 Phoebe Hailu “I Love You I Do” – Dreamgirls Mario Bardosa Piano Sam Pomeroy & Isaac Forester “Evensong” – Original Trannie Stevens and Jack “My Place in the Line” – Original Zach Barba Good Times Family Band “Killing Me Softly” – The Fugees Taylor Nall “Trigger Morris: Frontier Mortician” Amy Boylun & Clarck Jones “Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen Michael Agnew (with Bryan Roldan & Cameron Butcher) “Simple Times” – Original Men’s a cappella Group “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” Bailey Sullivan & Friends “Home” – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros The Lariat congratulates all of those who were selected and will perform at After Dark.

The judges for the After Dark auditions work as producers for After Dark, as well as the other student productions – Pigksin Revue, All-University Sing and Stompfest.

Frazee said there are a few returning performers to After Dark this year, such as vocalist Claire Berlinsky, who sang “Gravity” in After Dark 2010. This year, Berlinsky will be joined with fellow returner Max Helmerich, who performed in After Dark 2008, and Amy Boykin, also a performer from 2010.

Lauren Knebel, a senior music education major from Frisco, was a 2009 and 2010 After Dark participant.

The Baylor ShowTime! member worked with nine other show choir participants to perform “Be our Guest” and “Showtime” during After Dark, which were hit numbers from the musical theater’s routines.

“I just have to say that it was a great experience,” Knebel said. “It’s really fun that I could perform in front of my peers and most of the university. The best part is you can look out from the stage and see that people are enjoying what you are doing.”

Frazee said After Dark is a talent revue designed to give students an opportunity to perform in front of captive audiences of the Baylor family.

“Of course, as a Parents Weekend event, it’s a special time for parents and students to be together and experience Baylor’s exceptional talent,” Frazee said.

Tickets are on sale now for $10, $12, $14 and $16.

After Dark 2011 will take place in Waco Hall. There will be two performances at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 23.

“The show will be classic After Dark this year,” Frazee said. “There are many musical performances, both vocal and instrumental, as well as rap, dance, and comedic monologue. I predict a great show.”