Two hundred fifty bodies line the upstairs lounge in the A.E. Elder Student Union at N. C. Central University on a chilly November night.

The crowd is enthusiastic and quickly takes a liking to the act onstage.

The rest of the night moves swiftly as act after talented act takes the stage, leaving an insatiable crowd yearning for more. Having previously hosted a successful Campus Celebrities Talent Showcase, the Audionet staff feels even more pressured to make its next showcase something to remember.

Word of the upcoming audition spreads quickly across campus.

Thus the tedious process of separating the “cans” from the “cannots” begins, proving brutal to most.

Glancing around the judge’s table, one can easily mistake this scene for one from “American Idol,” as each judge takes his or her turn assessing the talent.

“Okay, everybody,” says Audionet president Breezi McCaden as she turns toward her fellow officers, “I liked his sound, it’s sort of unique. I think I’m voting yes on this one.”

Mass communication junior Wade “Yung Wyse” Banner says, “Well, I thought he was all right, but I’d like to see a little more stage presence before he performs in our show.

“He’s got to work just a little harder before I vote yes.”

“I agree,” says mass communication junior Jolanda “Shady J” Kindell, “he didn’t exactly melt my cheese, if you know what I mean.”

The application is quickly passed to the end of the table, marked “Maybe” in red pen, and placed into its respective stack.

The next performer is promptly escorted in and is instructed to begin. It’s been a long night, but the team remains in good spirit.

“We’ve got to make sure the performers are on point this time around,” says Banner.

“They’ve got to be able to hold the crowd’s attention, so if they struggle to hold our attention in the auditions, they’re not going to make it into the showcase.”

After two tiring nights of auditions, the acts are chosen and each is informed of the show time and date.

“People come out to these showcases to see who’s going to be the next big thing,” says McCaden.

“Who knows? The next Jay Z or Kanye could be here on this very campus. Giving people this kind of exposure and experience could be the start of something huge.”