“While (the hosts) operate at moments during the show as four soloists, it’s important to know that we also operate as one person instead of four separate people,” returning Spring Sing host senior Jesse Hixson said. “It’s the difference between Justin Timberlake and N’SYNC. There are moments where you have to be a great performer by yourself, but when you are with a group, you need to be able to blend.”
The way the Spring Sing hosts blend together is one of the main reasons they were chosen as the first all-male host group since 2010, according to Spring Sing director Dottie Frye.
“They are blending in multiple ways,” Frye said. “We think first of musically, because there is only one feature number. Everything else they do is in a group. The other thing that is equally important to me is that each of their personalities can work well in a group. To me, the process of the work is equally important as the product. If the process is an encouraging one that builds us up, then we learn to stretch and grow, and to respect other people. That makes the product (extremely) good.”
Junior returning ensemble member Josh Robinson said the hosts’ chemistry works great together, and that their personalities are working differently than the hosts and hostesses last year.
“They’re hysterical,” Robinson said. “They feed off of each other so well. This year, it’s more of a brotherhood. It’s like a group of friends hanging out, guys being guys. They’ve had to figure out a different way to choreograph singing the club introductions.”
Hixson said that having all males host comes with more positive experiences, as well as more challenges. He said one of the challenges has been modifying the choreography so it is not all partner work. He also said a positive of being a part of an all-male group is that there is a lack of separation. From being in the same dressing room, to being with each other at all times during the host retreat, the hosts have done nearly everything together in this process, Hixson said.
Senior Thomas Williams said he has auditioned for host since his sophomore year, and after investing so much time and energy into the theatre department, it is an honor to finally hold this title. Williams said the four men have bonded over the course of this “crazy process.”
“We’re all just out there trying to make each other laugh,” Williams said. “I think my favorite thing with the hosts is joking backstage and hitting the harmonies at the end of ‘United We Stand.'”
Robinson said he can tell as an ensemble member that all the time the hosts have spent together pays off on stage. He said even though they have different personalities, they all mesh well together, which makes for a good show.
“Nate’s voice is amazing and incredible,” Robinson said. “He can belt notes like nobody’s business. Jesse knows how to stand on a stage and sell, and knows how to connect with the audience. Aaron can sing high notes like it’s second nature to him. Thomas’ energy is unlike anything I’ve seen on the Benson stage. If he could dance the entire show, he would. The audience is just going to love every minute of this show. It’s great.”
