Tonight is the last night for students who think they have comedic chops to audition for Student Activities Board’s third annual Last Comic Standing competition. Auditions began Tuesday and will continue tonight from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Student Union’s Orleans Room. The Pop Fusion Committee, which is sponsoring the event, is a division of the Student Activities Board that explores various aspects of popular culture, said Marlon Boutin, Pop Fusion chairperson. Committee members will judge the student comics and decide who will go on to perform at the Last Comic Standing competition May 4 at 7 p.m. in the Union’s Cotillion Ballroom. Professional comedian Erin Jackson, who was a semifinalist on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” will emcee the event, as well as provide critiques to all of the performers. “Students will get a chance to show their comic creativity here on campus and also get to compete with other students,” Boutin said. The students will be judged on their stage presence, creativity and relatable material, Boutin said. “What we are looking for is someone who can make people laugh,” said A’Trey-U Jones, business management freshman and committee member. Silvia Medrano, public relations junior, placed second in the competition last year and auditioned again Tuesday. Medrano said she has been performing stand-up for a year and performs weekly at Phil Brady’s Bar and Grill. “I get my material from basic day-to-day conversations, random thoughts and awkward moments that I have,” she said. Chelsea Moreau, public relations freshman, also auditioned Tuesday. “Everyone needs a laugh, whether it’s the performer or the listener,” Moreau said. She said her material comes from her own life. “I don’t necessarily think I’m funny,” she said. “I just have funny experiences.” The audience will narrow down the top three competitors at the May 4 event, and a panel of judges will select the winner. “We haven’t solidified the judges yet, but we usually choose people who have experience in the comedy field,” Boutin said. “We try to get people who have knowledge of what’s going on and know what to look for.”
 
 
 
 
—-Conatct Sarah Eddington at [email protected]