This year’s hosts and hostesses have been preparing for months hoping to impress the audience with unique acts.

While upstage acts have been practicing since the beginning of the spring semester, the six hosts and hostesses have been hard at work for the past three months.

Hosts and hostesses practice vocals every weekday with vocals coach Kristin Ward, as well as conducting several joint rehearsals with the jazz band throughout the week. Dance practices are scheduled at least three times a week with instructor Keri Wilkerson.

Hostess Brynn Smith, junior musical theatre major from Fort Worth, knew she wanted to be a hostess after attending Sing Song a couple times.

“I had to petition the theatre department to be involved.” Smith said. “My major is very vocally demanding, but this is the first show that is not a musical theatre style show. It is very refreshing.”

Tom Craig, director of student productions, sees this year’s performance more holistically, combining dance, song and instruments together for the downstage acts.

“Every year song choices and selection are tailored to the strengths of that particular group. We’re integrating dance groups, host and hostesses and the percussion ensemble together to create a unique and entertaining show.”

Craig, Kristin Ward, and several other members of the Sing Song production staff chose the feature songs for each host and hostess. Vocal range and capability, whether the songs mesh well with the jazz band and integration of ACU culture are all major factors in song selection and arrangement.

Host Isaac Wright, junior exercise science major from Abilene, said with the amount of energy and fun in the show, the songs chosen are perfectly tailored to theme, “Wild at Heart.”

Wright said one of his favorite parts of the show is the combination of “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” and “Don’t Go Breaking my Heart.”

“I love the energy and fun that goes into the mashup,” Wright said.

Host Chris Randell, senior business marketing major from Abilene, loves the performance aspect of the show and is excited to share his excitement and energy with the audience.

“I love being able to reinforce the fact that everyone can sing, and you don’t have to be perfect at it to enjoy doing it.” Randell said. “In fact, I’m definitely not perfect at it or the best, but I do it because I love it.”