Terps Take the Cyber Stage

Ten Terps harmonizing from their living rooms and bedrooms. UMD’s Culinary Club founder cooking a steak in sweats. A student belting out Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next”—while impersonating Michael Bublé, Mickey Mouse and SpongeBob SquarePants.

The UMD community can take in that kind of mishmash of performances and more in Tuesday’s Terp Talent Showcase, a new weekly video series created by staff at the Adele H. Stamp Student Union. Each week, hosts Kamrie Risku M.Ed. ‘20 and Brianna Aldridge MPH ’20 break down student-submitted acts in 20-minute segments on the Stamp’s Facebook and YouTube pages in an effort to virtually bring Terps together amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

“The thing I like the most about it is it’s all about (the students),” said Risku, who, along with Aldridge, is a graduate assistant in the Stamp’s event and guest services department. “I think it really promotes this idea that while this is a really hard time, there are still ways to connect.”

When the University of Maryland shifted to an online-only environment last month, the Stamp’s staff in the Division of Student Affairs brainstormed ways to keep students engaged from afar. As Jennifer Enriquez, Graduate Student Life coordinator, played the piano as her own way of coping with quarantine, inspiration struck.

“I was thinking, ‘I’m sure students have their own talents, something that they could share,’” she said. “A talent show is something I’ve always wanted to do, and this was the perfect opportunity to give it a try. It’s a way to celebrate and uplift people.”

After staff members review students’ submissions, which can be sent in using this form, Aldridge and Risku watch them together on Monday nights by sharing their screens in a recorded Zoom meeting. They introduce each act and offer commentary—even if it takes a few tries to get it right.

“There’s definitely an outtakes folder,” Aldridge said. “And it’s only getting bigger.”

Terp talents in the first two installments have included singing, dancing, photography, poetry and cooking—much of it shot in the students’ homes as they shelter in place. Submissions can be sent in video or photo form, or students can schedule a live performance.

Showcases will continue until at least the end of the semester, Enriquez said, and they could transition into in-person events in the fall once it’s safe.