This past month, Colorado Law Democrats and the Class of 2025 officers hosted a talent show, reviving a treasured tradition among Law Buffs who took part in and attended similar talent shows in their law school days. Staff, faculty, and students gathered in Schaden Commons to witness the varied skills of the law school community. It was a fun evening of performance, laughter, and refreshments 鈥� a perfect way to lift spirits on a cold Thursday evening.听
The show kicked off with Prof. Scott Skinner-Thompson's rendition of 鈥淵ou鈥檒l Be Back鈥� from Hamilton, featuring new lyrics about becoming lawyers. Skinner- Thompson cleverly renamed it "You'll Be Back [Lawyers]." 鈥淚t was a tremendously joyous evening full of laughs,鈥� Skinner- Thompson remarked.听听
This musical masterpiece was followed up by Assistant Dean for Employer Relations and Outreach Marci Fulton, who delivered a very funny stand-up comedy routine with fish themed jokes.听听
Prof. Blake Reid (guitar) and Director of Marketing and Communications Robyn Munn took the stage next, performing Teddy Swims鈥� single 鈥淟ose Control鈥� and Amy Winehouse鈥檚 version of 鈥淰alerie.鈥� Munn, former member of the Austin, TX based indie folk group , shared 鈥淚t was so fun to participate in the talent show and even more fun to see my friends and colleagues in a whole different context. We have a seriously talented community!鈥澨�
Director of Schaden Experiential Learning Program Gabrielle Daley followed the musical duo, with a lively swing dancing routine set to 鈥淐ommunication鈥� by Slim Gaillard.听听
Hannah Ahders 鈥�25, who was originally scheduled to tell a story of intrigue and suspense, shared a joke. Ahders鈥� delivery was excellent, and the payoff was great. 听
Next, Bob 鈥淏ob Dylan鈥� Sherman 鈥�25 played a beautiful guitar song and had the entire audience singing along at the end. Props to Sherman for getting audience participation to work!听
Lance Keeble 鈥�26 played a heartrendingly beautiful Townes Van Zandt song, accompanied by his quiet, haunting vocals.听听
Stephen Wheeler 鈥�26 also took the stage with his guitar, playing a medley of pop songs without vocals. Wheeler cleverly engaged the audience, asking them to try and guess which songs he was playing 鈥� which was a treat for everyone watching.听听听
鈥淔or me, the talent show was an opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone,鈥� Wheeler shared. 鈥淚 almost never perform in front of people (mostly out of fear of failure), and similar to my experience with law school in general so far, it was met with the full support and encouragement of the Colorado Law community. There was a sense of light-heartedness in the room that night that seemed to put everyone at ease, and it really created an environment to connect with students and staff on a deeper level.鈥澨�
听Prof. Rabea Benhalim followed Wheeler鈥檚 performance, sharing a phenomenal story that had audience members keeling over with laughter.听
Finally, the Class of 2025鈥檚 Chris Hooyman, Bob Sherman, Pablo Perez, and Mariah Bowman sang a revised 鈥淐olorado Law version鈥� of The White Stripes "We're Going to Be Friends.鈥� This talented quartet closed out the evening with a rendition of 鈥淐losing Time,鈥� during which the entire audience joined in, flashing their phone lights as if they were attending a Semisonic concert.听听
鈥淲e took on the challenge to revive the talent show tradition, with the logistic and performative help from administration, resulting in an endearing gathering of the Colorado Law community where we all supported each other鈥檚 hidden passions,鈥� Perez shared.听
鈥淭he work was truly worth the entertaining and beautiful experience, garnering enough support from students, faculty, and staff to maintain the tradition,鈥� Bowman said. 鈥淚 suppose we can drop out now and just pursue our undiscovered talents instead.鈥澨�
Thank you to our incredible students for putting on this event, our amazing performers for their artistic vulnerability, and of course, all of our enthusiastic attendees 鈥� we can't wait for next year!听听
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