Audience members sat back and enjoyed the lounge-like ambiance of the Spotlight Arts event on Wednesday night.
Dozens of UCF students filled the Student Union's Key West Ballroom to participate in the event that was put on by Project Spotlight, a UCF Theatre organization, that gives students the opportunity to showcase their performance and visual talents.
Sophomore theatre major Nathaniel Beaver, Project Spotlight's secretary, said the organization was pleased with the turnout.
"We had a good mix of the arts," Beaver said. "That was one of our ideas - to make sure all of the arts were here: dancing, singing, monologues in the form of stand-up tonight, and we have music and the artwork as well."
Junior theatre studies major Sharon Winter said she was excited to share her graphic art with others because she doesn't get many chances to do so. Winter manipulates photographs using programs like Photoshop, but the spectrum of graphic art is wide.
"I want to [share it] but there's nowhere around here [neither in Orlando nor at UCF] to do it," Winter said.
One of Project Spotlight's goals is to provide students with a comfortable environment so they can express themselves artistically.
While the artists displayed their work on either side of the room, the performers took their turns gracing the stage.
Marc Lingle, a sophomore English major, sang "The Piano Man" by Billy Joel while playing the piano and harmonica simultaneously.
"It's an excellent opportunity and I'm glad that they're not just getting the art out there but are so welcoming of everybody," Lingle said.
Lingle plans to become more involved with Project Spotlight at UCF next year.
"I'm glad that I got the chance to perform and that this chance exists for everyone," Lingle said.
Other students who took advantage of the opportunity agreed.
Senior radio-television major Kim Valentine played guitar and accompanied Jessi Grossman. Valentine also performed two solo songs, one of which she wrote herself.
The self-taught songstress and musician quieted the audience with her powerful voice as she played her turquoise electric guitar and sang.
"I hope that people enjoyed the lyrics of the song I wrote," Valentine said.
Sophomore theatre studies major Chris Metz is in the band Cavale. The eclectically comprised group plays power pop music.
"It's pop-influenced rock that can hopefully appeal to a wider audience than people who just listen to rock music," Metz said.
The group has been performing together for six months.
"I appreciate that we have this venue and that people showed up," Metz said. "It's our first gig in a while and hopefully a string of many yet to come."
Members of Project Spotlight hoped students who are unfamiliar with performing arts learned something from this event.
"Even though people think theater is just about a bunch of people clowning around on stage with goofy accents, that's not what theater is," Beaver said. "It's about putting yourself out there, presenting yourself and being really creative."
All of the artists encourage others to attend Spotlight Arts next semester, whether they come to perform or support other students.
"These are the artists of the future," Winter said. "These artists are going to take over the world when they grow up. You hear amazing singers and entertainers, graphic designers, actors and great bands. And in five or six years, these people are going to be famous."
Project Spotlight hopes to make Spotlight Arts a biannual event like their One Act Festival which allows students to produce, direct and perform in their own shows. The upcoming One Act Festival will be held next April.
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