By Jake Fain
Staff Writer
Expect some back-and-forth banter from the student hosts of this year’s Variety Show April 20 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in downtown Jackson.
Anna Beard, junior advertising major, and Peter Riggs, junior philosophy major, made the cut after auditioning for the spots against other duos, a new addition to the traditional Variety Show setup.
Groups of students perform off campus each year in the annual production. In the past, a member of the Student Activities Council welcomed the audience and described the show’s history.
This year, audience members will hear conversation between Beard and Riggs and watch a humorous skit Riggs wrote, titled “The Straight Man and the Goof.”
Once Riggs heard about auditions, he immediately requested that Beard join him.
“After I wrote the skit I knew she would just be perfect for it,” Riggs said.
Beard wanted to get involved with Variety Show in some way, so when Riggs approached her she said she jumped at the opportunity.
Beard has performed in several productions at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson but never as a co-host in front of such a large crowd.
“I realized that we would be up in front of a lot of people, but I think it will be great,” Beard said. “I’ve known Peter for 13 years, so it helps that I know him so well.”
SAC adviser Jared Dauenhauer said the organization is “looking to continue a flow of excellence in all of the programs we do. In previous years, when you went from act to act, a group would exit, the stage would go dark and another video started.
“We just kind of felt like there was a gap that we could fill and do something better with,” said Dauenhauer, who also is assistant director of student leadership and engagement. “I’m very keen on displaying student talent as a part of any student production. It won’t take much from our time, but it will add a lot to the show.”