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The Glory Days: Classes replicate old acts

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Rather than implementing a theme, Nick Tatum, director of student productions, required all acts to replicate an act that had been done before the year 2000.

“I think over the past 10 years, some of the themes have been really great and some of them have been really hard and limiting for students,” Tatum said. “Historically, we didn’t start doing themes until halfway through Sing Song’s existence, so it’s not like not having a theme is terrible.”

Tatum said he still thinks it’s important for groups to have some direction, but he wanted to give them creative freedom. In conjunction with the release of the Sing Song archives website during homecoming weekend, Tatum asked for students to engage in and honor the Sing Song history.

“Some of the acts are very similar, some of them are very different,” Tatum said. “It was more of an inspiration for theirs rather than repeating it word-for-word.”

For the no-theme idea, Tatum said everyone was really excited.

“Initially, people had been dreaming up acts before Sing Song this year, but I think once they got over that, they were excited.”

Tatum compared the “no-theme” idea to the quarter quell in the Hunger Games – every few years, he said he’d love to do something that stirs the pot or challenges people in a new way.

“This is the first iteration of that.”

Read below which acts the classes chose to replicate.

Galaxy performed as the seven dwarves in 1970. (Photo courtesy of Student Productions)

Freshman White, seven dwarves – “Heigh Ho!” – replicating Galaxy’s 1970s act.

Directors: Maggie Hess, freshman education major from Lubbock, and Allison Skelton, freshman nursing major from Lufkin
“We spent a lot of time going through the Sing Song Archives looking for a good act to revive,” Hess said. “After looking for about two weeks, making lots of inspiration boards for different acts, and bouncing ideas off of each other, we picked this act because it was fun, light-hearted, and was something the audience would recognize.”
Hess said the original act and the new act are very different.
” Our act follows the story that everyone knows and loves, and is a mixed vocals act while the original was all male vocals and featured songs from the original movie but didn’t follow the storyline. We are looking forward to showing off everyone’s hard work. Our unique cameo entrances, colorful set and costumes will make the fairytale come alive.”

Alpha Theta Chi Omega performs as playing cards in 1993. (Photo courtesy of Student Productions)

Freshman Purple, playing cards – Do You Want to Play a Card Game – replicating Alpha Theta Chi Omega’s 1993 act.

Director: Jackson Scott, freshman communication major from Keller
Scott said he decided to replicate the playing cards act because it seemed like a classic theme that more people would understand.
“I decided back in late October, it took me a couple weeks to decide because I also thought butterflies could be a cool act to create. The best parts of the original were all the jokes that were able to be made about card games and a deck itself.
To improve the act, Scott said he plans to change the physical movements to better resemble a deck of cards – recreating tricks and flips.
“Overall it hasn’t been too hard recreating an act,” Scott said. “There is a ton of creative freedom. I am looking forward to everyone seeing our costumes, they are going to look amazing – I can’t wait for everyone to see our costume change, it’s really special because all the costumes are different and they are going to look very neat.”

Delta Theta performed as Skeletons in 1977. (Photo courtesy of Student Productions)

Sophomores, skeletons– Saturday Night Femur – replicating Delta Theta’s 1977 act.

Director: Jet Coatney, sophomore communication major from North Richland Hills
“We decided we were going to replicate DT’s only winning act back in November when Alex, Marlow and I decided we were going to direct the action,” Coatney said. “It took us about a week to make a final selection. We thought it would be a cute act with lots of song options and it was general enough to make a bunch of really good jokes.”
Coatney said the process has been difficult because originally, there were 100 people signed up to participate in the act, and now there are only 58.
“Although we’ve had our struggles, it has been so much fun and I’ve gotten to know so many people because of it. I’m very blessed that I’ve been able to direct this act. I’m looking forward to competing toe-to-toe with both of the freshman acts and the senior act. I believe this will be the most competitive year of the class acts.”
Sky Holcomb directed the original act and said she had visions of sounds and humor, so when her act delivered, it made for great memories.
“I had a feeling after each performance we were a top contender to win simply from the creative pieces of songs,” Holcomb said. “I knew where it needed to be and honey, they worked so hard going over and over it. Who knew skeletons could make so much noise and not break a bone jumping around?”
Holcomb said to this day, sweeping in vocals and costumes is one of her favorite memories.

The senior class performed as Adam and Eve in 1986. (Photo courtesy of Student Productions)

Seniors, Adam and Eve – …Is it Too Late to Say Sorry? – replicating the Senior’s Adam and Eve act of 1986.

Director: Jadon Reynolds, senior Bible and ministry major from Arlington
“It took pretty much up until right before we went into our advisory meeting last semester with Nick Tatum about selecting a theme. It took us about as long to decide as it took God to create the world, so roughly seven days.”
Reynolds said he chose the act because of the comedic and creative aspects as well as strong song choices that made for easy replication.
“I imagine replicating the act was easier than it was for Eve to eat the fruit,” Reynolds said. “I’m most excited to bring Biblical truth to Moody Coliseum using Flo Rida’s 2008 Grammy-nominated hit song, “Low.”

Les Hunter, who directed the original winning act, said though he won’t be able to make it to town, he’s excited to see what how the seniors made it their own.

“We were crazy,” Hunter said. “It was very challenging, but it’ll be fun to see the clever new twist on everything.”

Hunter directed his class act each year and won.

Read about the women’s acts here.
Read about the men’s acts here.

About Lauren Franco

My name is Lauren and I'm the Editor in Chief of the Optimist this year. I'm an avid fan of romantic comedies, the First Amendment and national parks. More than anything, I'm passionate about storytelling via photographs, and love getting to know the heart of people through my lens.

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