Sing Song, the yearly event that takes the campus by storm, is under new management with the head of Student Productions, Nick Tatum as director.

From 2012 to 2017, Tatum served as assistant to former director Tom Craig, getting to learn the managing of the event but not have an extensive amount of oversight. With this being his first year as director, Tatum has full creative freedom for the first time since getting involved in 2010.

“I feel like I’ve been waiting in the wings, collecting thoughts and directions, so it’s nice after all these years I’ve been able to put my creative license over the production,” Tatum said.

Although this is a vital role on campus, Tatum now has to work with all of the moving parts by keeping in touch with the directors of each act, viewing each of the acts, working with the hosts and hostesses all while being a full-time professor.

This authority has put him in event-changing positions both expansive and unfortunate.

For the first time in eight to ten years, we will see the reintroduction of sophomores as hosts/hostesses. This will take away the requirement of being a junior or senior to be in this position, allowing for more on-campus talent to be on stage.

His work with the down-stage crew has had a showing effect with Tre’ McLeod, junior Musical Theater major from Houston.

“I have learned to trust Nick so much,” Tatum said. “’Islands in the Stream’ is the last song I would have picked for a duet with Jess, but now I can’t imagine singing a better song with her.”

However, we will also see the absence of a junior class act. Tatum said this is not the first time an act has been cancelled.

Tatum said the hosts and hostesses sing different songs and less dancing than traditionally performed. He said he hopes the audience will be just as excited about the changes made as he is.

Sing Song 2019 will have showings on Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on https://www.acustupro.com/tickets with prices ranging from $15 to $28.