It’s no mystery that the students of SMU are a talented bunch – especially after the university’s annual talent show earlier this evening.

The 39th annual talent show featured five individual and five group acts in McFarlin Auditorium. SMU students Tori Titmas, Joshua Kezar, Preston Hutcherson and Jamie Hinz hosted and performed a comical, mystery-themed skit for the audience between each performance. Each act brought a different talent to the stage, including dance, vocal and drag performances.

“It shows the diversity of SMU,” said Hinz. Titmas agreed with her co-host, referring to some acts as “surprises.”

A panel of four judges determined the first place winners and runner-ups for individual and group acts. Additionally, audience members determined the winner of the popular vote by voting for their favorite act via text message. Cash prizes were awarded to each of the winners.

Queen Irene danced her way to the individual first-place title in a Beyonce inspired drag performance, while Stampede, the newest acapella group on campus, performed their rendition of Say Something to secure the group first-place title and the audience choice popular vote./

SamStep and Dat Cookie, Dough! share the individual runner-up title for their unique musical performances, and the group runner-up was awarded to gospel choir Voices of Inspiration.

While the talent show is a time-honored tradition in SMU’s Family Weekend, Titmas and Kezar both agree that this show has undergone a few renovations from previous years. This year’s show utilized more technology, featuring a video to kick off the show and introducing the audience choice vote through text message./

While the talent on the McFarlin stage was undeniable, a behind-the-scenes look at the show reveals more impressive SMU students.

Talent Show Coordinator Clark Holt of SMU’s Student Foundation facilitated the show. Holt began working on the show in February, and has been responsible for writing the script, choosing the acts and acting as the show’s fearless leader. While Holt’s job requires a lot of time and effort, the finished product’s success made his hard work worthwhile.

“Thursday night at dress rehearsal it just all came together,” he said. “I could just sit down in the middle of the auditorium and watch it all the way through. It just came together perfectly.”