UGA’s got talent in spin-off of hit show
November 10, 2009 by TIFFANY STEVENS
Filed under News
Although judges Sharon Osbourne, Piers Morgan and David Hasselhoff won’t be on campus, America’s Got Talent’s theme will certainly be evident tonight at UGA’s version of the hit show.
The University’s Chapter of Invisible Children, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping child soldiers in Uganda, is hosting “UGA’s Got Talent.”
Alicea Glover, events coordinator for Invisible Children, said the show will consist of a wide variety of acts, including a magician and a break dance team.
“We have Tanesha Douglas, who wrote a poem for Invisible Children, and she’s going to be reading it,” Glover said. “We also have Robert Hayes, who was in [Athens'] Last Comic Standing, and he’s going to be performing.”
Students will be asked to donate $5 at the door, but Glover said students may give more if they wish.
“People can give as much as they’d like,” Glover said. “We’re also going to have Viewer’s Choice Awards, where fans, friends and family can donate money in honor of a specific performer.”
Invisible Children will donate all of the proceeds to helping a secondary school in Uganda.
“We turn all of the money we make over to the national organization. We’re part of the Schools for Schools competition. All of the money goes to a school in Uganda, Awere Secondary School,” Glover said.
Hillary Hunter, head of promotions for Invisible Children, said the groups are organized by region and assigned to a specific school. She said the group hopes the money raised will go toward improving a female dormitory at the sponsored school.
“We’re hoping the money will finish building a girl’s latrine,” Hunter said.
Glover said most participants are students from outside Invisible Children.
“[The performers are] really just students that were interested in performing,” Glover said. “Some of them are strong advocates for Invisible Children, but I don’t think we have any performers who are involved in the campus organization.”
Glover said attendees, participants and judges will receive thank you gifts for showing support.
“All of our performers will be receiving a thank you gift. And all of our judges are compensated, as well. We really want to thank people for coming out,” she said.
Hunter said she thinks the event will be beneficial for students to attend.
“It’s really entertaining,” Hunter said. “It’s good for students to see their peers breaking loose and showing their talent for a good cause.”
