Texas Revue, UT Austin’s biggest talent show, took place on Friday. It offered an incredible lineup of talent, where students had the chance to compete for a grand prize of $1,500.
After spending weeks and hours perfecting their performances, UT students spent the last week putting final touches on their performances in hopes they would blow away a crowd featuring family, faculty members and fellow students.
One student singer, advertising junior Madison Viray-Jones, is no stranger to large crowds. She has been singing since she was 5 years old and doing musical theater since she was 8 years old. Even though she has a lot of experience, she still felt nervous during auditions.
“When I did my audition, I was sick,” Viray-Jones said. “I was stressed out because my throat was hurting … I was really excited that I got accepted (to the final showcase).”
In order to balance her academic responsibilities with practicing her act, Viray-Jones relied on constant repetition of the song she performed, “Creep” by Radiohead. The singer said she found ways to continuously listen while studying, even falling asleep to the song to allow the lyrics to naturally float into her memory.
Another contestant, dance freshman Sawyer Callens, has been working on her dance skills since she was 3 years old.
“I would choreograph it in my little dorm room, and whenever I went to audition, that was the first time I did it truly, truly full out,” Callens said. “I had made someone record me so I could look at all the little ‘ifs,’ and if I had to add a little (something) here.”
Callens took a more mental approach to keeping the dance fresh on her mind amidst her obligations.
“Between classes or every other day, I’d go ‘Ok, I need to rehearse’ in my mind, so I look back at the video and (think), ‘Oh right, that’s what I need to remember to focus on’ … making sure it doesn’t leave my mind because it’s so easy for you to forget stuff on the performance day.”
Another singer, environmental engineering freshman Rolleen Legion, sang “Love In The Dark” by Adele.
“I’m super excited to share a passion of mine with all these people that I’m unfamiliar with, a new crowd of people and my new home,” Legion said.
For some students, nerves may have kept them back from performing in Texas Revue. Legion said the pressure of the competition, which takes place every semester, shouldn’t keep students from participating.
“Just do it,” Legion said. “You literally have no idea what could happen. You have no idea what could go your way. And even if it goes well or doesn’t go well, it’s an amazing learning experience.”
