MoTini's was stretched to its limits Wednesday as students and community members crammed in to judge who among 14 comics had the talent to advance to Rooftop Comedy's regional competition.
Every spare piece of floor was turned into a chair as the audience listened to each comic perform a three-minute stand-up act in hopes of being one of the eight selected to move on.
Elliott San, sophomore telecommunications major, said he has attended a few student-based, stand-up comedy events in the past and said Wednesday's crowd was the largest he had seen in about a year.
"It's good to see people come out and support local comedians and fellow students," he said.
Sabrina Bruning, events and marketing intern for Rooftop, said providing young comics with exposure and opportunities was one of the top priorities.
"It's great to see the passion with the contest and see how much they really get into it," she said.
Wednesday's event was senior Nathan Gropp's third performance, and he said he struggled with the short time frame in which the comedians had to perform.
"The three minute thing really sucks," he said. "It's not quite enough for me, but it's good for one-liners."
Gropp was among those chosen to advance to the next round of the competition and compete against eight winners from another school for the chance to eventually attend the finals in Aspen, Colo., in June.
Junior women's studies major Heather Bartram was a contestant in Wednesday's comedy night but did not move on to the next round of competition.
She said she hopes to be a professional comic one day and has been performing regularly for two years.
However, even with a couple years of experience Bartram still follows through her pre-performance ritual.
"I have to listen to Journey's 'Don't Stop Believing,' like five times then drink a Mai Tai and I'm good," she said.
Regional competitionEight contestants were chosen to move on to the regional competition against Indiana University.
Cameron CranorShane MagwireJoe FergusonNate RobinsonMax PapasNathan GroppCameron DavidsonJake Lentz
CompetitionBall State finalists could compete against young comedians from:
Ohio State UniversityXavierIndiana UniversityUniversity of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireUniversity of MinnesotaColumbia CollegeUniversity of Chicago
FinalsWhere: Aspen, Colo.When: June 11-14
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