Written by Aureliz Roman | July 10, 2026
On Friday, June 26th, GSP scholars flooded Johnson Theater for the very first showcase of the 2026 season. During the week, participating performers and tech crew attended showcase protected times on Tuesday and Thursday to prepare for the night. To maintain a respectful atmosphere for performers, scholars were reminded of proper theater etiquette. Before the lights came on, the theater erupted with applause, anticipating the excitement that would later come.
The night opened with teacher Jonathan Piercy performing a hilarious original song called “Chick a Chick a Wow” on the ukulele. After the first act, the audience was in the mood for a great time and beautiful music. A’Niyah Wilford performed “Andante in C” on the flute and dazzled the crowd. Throughout the night, the audience was given time to ponder the words of poems recited by teachers April Webb and Scott Takacs. April’s poem allowed scholars to reflect on change, while Scott’s poem expressed his deep love for Velveeta cheese.
Both scholar Gavin Robertson’s song “Friends in Low Places” and teacher Blanca Muñoz’s choice “What’s Up?” got the audience clapping and singing along. During Blanca’s song, the audience even began swaying and waving their hands in the air as they loudly sang, “What’s going on?” The audience was not only wowed by beautiful vocals, but fantastic instrumentals as well! Trista Gilbert performed a lovely rendition of the “Jurassic Park Theme” on the alto saxophone. Additionally, Kelby Kenimer played “Caravan” on the trombone. Both acts did a wonderful job with their selected pieces.
Not only did Murray GSP witness fun and energetic performances, but heartfelt ones as well. Abby Taylor, a real-life princess, moved the crowd with her beautifully harmonic cover of the song “Reflection” from Mulan. With every note, Abby’s warm and heartfelt voice entranced the crowd. Likewise, the community had the privilege to encounter Felix Ding’s impressive execution of a sentimental Taiwanese song, “I Don’t Know if You Care,” on his electric guitar. Felix elevated our first showcase by bringing a tender and vulnerable, yet interactive performance to the GSP community.
The night ended with the Residential Advisors (RAs) performing a surprise skit. The skit featured the top five student life moments of the week. The theater couldn’t contain their laughter as the skit poked fun at each and every one of them. The most relatable moments included the noisy elevator, fighting over “GSBaes,” move in day, and the first community meeting. Without a doubt, the night brought a sense of excitement and community to everyone watching, and was truly a unique experience for both performers and audience members alike.
Tech Crew: Clara Daniels, Michael Eades, John Fanshier, Heidi Lechleiter, Kaleigh Neel, Helena Smith-Pohl, Matt Zoglman
Tech Advisor Staff: Jay Crocker, Hayden Osborne
