Students shine behind the scenes at Sing

Thousands of students come together each spring to make All University Sing happen. Those on the stage — especially the soloists, but also the other performers — naturally take the spotlight, but that spotlight would never shine without the hundreds of Sing chairs, Waco Hall staff and Student Productions Committee members who make things run behind the scenes.

Take Jill Turley, for example. The junior from Beaumont (pictured above center) is this year’s All University Sing executive producer — overseeing a host of other student producers who serve as liaisons between the participating student organizations and Waco Hall. Turley’s role, at its core, is to make sure each show runs smoothly.

That work began long before the spring semester. Preparation for each year’s show begins as soon as the previous Sing season ends.

“So many moving parts, people and things go into it, and I feel like people don’t see the full picture of it. It’s the largest off-Broadway production at a college,” Turley says. “It’s crazy how much work goes into it.”

As executive producer, Turley works hours equivalent to a part-time job every week. Show days can end up being 10-hour days.

For Turley, each show day begins around 4 p.m. with either a Judges’ Dinner or production set-up. Shows begin at 6:30 p.m.; Turley spends the first weekend watching the entire show and taking notes on each act. For the second weekend, she will be more hands on, helping acts and her production team during the final shows. After the show ends each night — usually around 11 p.m. — Turley meets with her production team, going over notes for each of the 19 acts and discussing how they can improve for the next night. Two hours after the show ends, Turley can finally go home — and prepare to do it all again the next day.

For all involved in Sing, it is a learning experience as much as it is fun. Sing teaches students time management and provides practical leadership experience. Turley says her role overseeing so many people has strengthened her leadership skills, speaking abilities and organizational skills, and taught her how to adjust to and work with people with different personalities — skills that will benefit her both personally and professionally.

Turley’s story is one example of the voluntary, behind-the-scenes work that allows this beloved Baylor tradition to continue, and memories to be made for years to come.

“Judges walk in, and they see what they see and that’s it. But from my perspective, I walk in and see so much progress, and I wish I could judge on that because that is what’s insane,” Turley says. “Seeing that vision go from paper to stage is the most rewarding thing ever. I am super proud of each act and their progress. I am so grateful to be in this role and get to see all of that.”

Sic ’em, Sing students!