1MONASH

By Lisa J. Ariffin

At a Glance

Sunway, Petaling Jaya – Monash Talent Night was held on August 28, 2009 in search of the university’s outstanding talents. The event was held in Monash University, Sunway campus, and was a sold-out success with all 350 seats in Auditorium 2 filled. The competition saw 9 dazzling performances in total, with acts ranging from dancers, to singers and even a stand-up comedian who did a terrific impersonation of the late Michael Jackson.

Both the committee members and participants played a part in ensuring the night went smoothly. Much preparation was put into auditions and rehearsals and the results was spectacular.

The contestants gave their best and kept the audience entertained for 3 hours. However, as this was a competition, a winner had to be announced. The awesome dance act, Freakee Boogiez proved to be the best act of the night and walked away with first prize. Stand-up comedian and Michael Jackson impersonator, Gajen Nad, took home second prize and third prize went to the musical group, Vanishing Act. The other contestants were not left out and each received a consolation prize.

Audition

Auditions were held in late Semester One and early Semester Two to give equal chances to students of Monash University 2009, both old and new. Colourful flyers were posted around campus to attract students’ attention. The audition was held in Audi 2, the same venue as the competition.

Students interested were asked to call up committee members to set a time. There was no specifications regarding the acts and any form of talent was welcomed.

During the audition, the acts were recorded on video to be judged by selected committee members from MUSA (Monash University Student Association) and MPAC (Monash Performing Arts Club). A number of committee members were also present during the audition to brief participants on selection of contestants.

Finalists were informed through the phone after the second audition. This gave them roughly a month to prepare for the big night!

Rehearsals

Two rehearsals were held prior to the event night – one, a week before the event and one the night before. The first rehearsal was a sound check to ensure music and microphones were in order. The latter rehearsal was a full-dress rehearsal which reflected the event night closely.

The Event

The event committee was present at Auditorium 2 since afternoon to ensure the venue was well set-up. The microphones, back-up tracks and light settings were tested for the last time to guarantee everything ran smoothly during the competition later that night.

Dinner was provided for both the committee and participants before the start of the event.

The auditorium was open to members of the audience at around 7. 30 p.m. Contestants were placed in Auditorium 1 while waiting for their turn to perform.

It was a good atmosphere in Auditorium 1 because although the participants were competing against each other, they were still interacting jovially and assisting each other with their respective routines.

The night was filled with fun and entertainment as the contestants took the stage to perform their respective routines.

Special guest act, Urban Groove kept the audience entertained during intermission with their dance moves. Consequently, a lucky draw was held and the owner of the lucky ticket walked away with an attractive prize. The audience was also treated to a spectacular performance by recording artist and Monash student, Jin Hackman followed by a rhythmic gymnast act before the results were announced.

Crowd favourite dance act, Freakee Boogiez was crowned winners that night, taking home first prize. Another crowd favourite, Gajen Nad, a stand-up comedian and Michael Jackson impersonator was first runner up. Five-piece band, Vanishing act, wooed the judges with their soothing music and emerged second-runner up.

Interviews

Vincent Chua, fellow participant and one- third of winning act Freakee Boogiez, and I met during the first rehearsal. He has agreed to the following interview.

Vincent Chua

1. What sparked your interest in dancing and have you been doing it for long?

It all happened when i watched the movie “storm the yard” the dancers there was doing crazy moves and I was so impressed and it got me hooked on it since then… I’ve been dancing close to 3 years now …

2. Freakee Boogiez consist of three members. How did you guys meet? And what made you decide to form this amazing dance act?

Yea well I first met (fellow dance partner) Luke the “crazy clown” in Sunway UC during my dance rehearsals beginning of last year and Rudy the “mime” when Luke asked us to perform for his campaigning party last year. Then after that we joined this street dance studio called Urban Groove which brought us closer. Well the dance was a lot of hard work and a lot of brain storming we actually spent one whole week just listening to songs and blasting out ideas from each other n there it was a routine.

3. Emerging winner during the Monash Talent Night, how often did the group meet up for practice? Did it, in any way, affect your studies?

Well honestly speaking we only started dancing three weeks before the talent night itself so it was kind of last minute and an intense rehearsals so we actually meet up almost every night in Urban Groove studio to practice and choreograph. Well it did kind of affect a little my studies but I managed to catch up and still get back on track.

4.  Were you aiming for a specific ‘theme’?

We were aiming for the theme circus , so that’s why there are three characters – a mime, a clown, a visitor.

5. Does the group have any plans for the future?

In fact yes! Freakee Boogiez is actually a sub group from our original crew, ” Bionic Funk”. Bionic Funk consist of other members from other colleges and we’re all getting ready to go for an international dance competition in Penang this coming December and who knows we might even go to UK championship in years to come.

Gajen Nad and I met backstage during the first rehearsal. The multi- talented comedian and dancer has agreed to the following interview.

Gajen Nad

1. How old were you went you first started dancing? Have you always been a Michael Jackson impersonator?

Twelve years old! Performed for my primary school after UPSR.
Not really, I only started impersonating Michael Jackson after my audition. I went to my audition as a comedian and after I performed I was asked ‘What else do u like to do?’. I answered ‘ I like dancing. In fact I actually thought of dancing Michael Jackson for this audition but then again dancing is pretty common, that’s why I did a stand up comedy’ after that they asked me to do a spontaneous dance of MJ and hinted to me that I should do both comedy and MJ dance.

2. How often do you practice your dance moves?

I practise almost every week while listening to my ipod.

3. Prior to the competition, did your practice in any way, affect your studies?

Yes it did because three of my mid semesters were just few days after the talent night. *laughs*

4. You also did a stand-up routine, what is your main passion?

I have many passions and aims in life. Number one is working in an automotive industry. I’m a car enthusiast!Number two is business. Number three is becoming an actor!! If i plan to take this path, I’ll take my first step by going to Mumbai and getting enrolled into one of the acting schools there. Then, I’ll work hard and make my name in Bollywood. Then, I’ll move to Hollywood and if it’s a success I’ll finally move to Hong Kong to act in a chinese movie. Sounds huge however I seriously believe it’s possible. No actor has done this before. Consistency is definitely needed.

I met David Hwi during the first rehearsal and he has agreed to the following interview.

David Hwi

1. In what way were you involved in organizing Monash Talent Night? And HOW did you get involved?

My role in the Monash Talent Night was as the Assistant Treasurer and Back Stage Manager. As this is a joint collaboration between MUSA & MPAC, I represented MPAC’s financial interest in this event. Basically, to ensure that our club will reap a profit from this event. As the Back Stage Manager, I had to ensure all the contestants were present and appear as scheduled.

I got involved because of my past experience in the previous two MPAC’s year end event such as 2007 Talent Time and 2008 Year End Production. I think that did play a part in ensuring the event planning went smoothly.

2. How long did preparations for the competition take?

Well, the preparations took place months back! A lot of initial planning had to be carried out before the auditions and the contestants came into the picture. The event had to go on in stages an as the event drew closer, more frequent meetings were arranged to made sure everything was in order.

3. Audition – What were you looking for in contestants and how were they chosen? Were the decisions tough?

As the name suggest, we are looking for Talents! Talents include all sorts of acts and gimmicks and special skills that the contestants might have to display. It can include anything from dancing, singing, to magic tricks, rapping or anything that others usually cannot do! As long as you have something that will leave the audience in awe, then come join us! We try to limit the number of singers and dancers for this event as this is not a singing or dancing competition.

Contestants were chosen based on a score sheet that were graded during the auditions. Weighted criteria were used to evaluate the participants as well. Well, certain decisions were tough but we all were done in fairness and for the better of the event.

4. Were there sponsors to the event and how did the committee find them?

This, you have to ask from the Sponsorship Team led by Michelle. But mostly, a proposal had to be given to the companies regarding our event and liaise with them regarding the different forms of sponsorship which could be cash, products, gifts or even vouchers.

5. The night was a great success and much effort was put in to ensure the night went smoothly. Did this anyhow, get in the way of your studies?

Well, meetings and discussion did take on many hours not forgetting nearing the event where more time and effort was needed to ensure everything was on track. I wouldn’t say it got in my way of my studies as I personally enjoy being involved in such activities and I definitely had fun! It was also a great opportunity to make new friends and be part of such a great event!

Rachel Tan and William Soh were kind enough to answer a question about the judges.

1. Who were the judges that night? And how were they chosen?

Rachel Tan

The judges for that night: Mr. Benjamin McKay, Ms Sherlyn and Ms Regina
I currently do not have their full names and position. They were chosen according to their experience. Sherlyn has been a vocal teacher and has been through hundred of competition while Ms Regina was a former national gymnast. As for Mr. Benjamin, he was chosen to represent Monash (as Talent Night was an on campus event), experienced in film and arts critic.

William Soh

There were three judges who I can only remember. El Regina, 1998’s gold medal winner Commonwealth for gymnastic. Another one is a singing teacher while the last one is one of the school of Arts’ lecturers (Benjamin McKay).
El Regina was chosen by Rachel, I suppose while the singing teacher was proposed by one of our committee members. We checked her qualifications out and found it okay, so yeah. The lecturer on the other hand, was also chosen by Rachel because apparently he has done lots of judging in competitions like this.