Showtime at Central

Step on Stage, it's Showtime Wildcats! The CWU Black Student Union's Showtime at Central will be here soon. In honor of the famous amateur show from Harlem's Apollo Theatre, Showtime at Central aims to showcase Central talent while paying tribute to Showtime's history. This year's host, a comedian and CWU Alum, will be Quincy Jones. He's not only hilarious, he's dedicated to making his name known by recently accomplishing 1,000 sets in one year. Join contestants as they enjoy their three minutes of fame on the McConnell stage. Bring your boos and your cheers, because if an act doesn't impress the crowd within the first 30 seconds, all bets are off and they could be potentially "swept" off stage. The crowd will decide on the winner through their praise and applause at the end of the night, and in between performances will have the opportunity to answer questions on a variety of African American history. Showtime at Central is FREE and open to the public, so grab your pals and join us at 7 p.m. in McConnell Hall for this spectacular Central tradition. Showtime 101 Showtime at the Apollo: The original television debut of this talent show started in 1987. The Apollo Theatre is known as the place where stars are born and legends are made, including stars like Adam Sandler, N.W.A., and the Beastie Boys, just to name a few. The Apollo Theatre still continues to feature talent from all over the country today. Sandman: Howard Sims, acclaimed tap dancer and the original "sandman" for Showtime, would gently remove performers from the stage if the crowd was not impressed. This year, our student sandman may do any variety of things, so if you watch the show expect the unexpected! The Kiki: This position is named after Kiki Sheppard, the long-time co-hostess of Showtime. Our Kiki will be responsible for strolling across the stage with the 30 second card. 30 Second Rule: Performers have 30 seconds at the beginning of their performance to win over the crowd. When the Kiki enters on-stage, it is the crowd's responsibility to either cheer with delight or boo in displeasure to confirm their decision.