Wednesday, Feb. 8
Dear Diary,
Auditions for JK! are in five days. I should probably send an email letting them know I want to try out. I mean, I can’t just walk in there and expect them to let me audition. Who do I think I am? Dane Cook? Man, Dane Cook would kill at JK! He’d win the whole thing and not even have to audition. They should get him for FNL too. Wait – what was I talking about?
-Sent the email. Decided against signing it “Dane Cook.”

Thursday, Feb. 9
Dear Diary,
Got an email back from the Student Activities Council guy in charge of JK! I have an audition. But nine other people do too, so I don’t feel very special. The email had the same automatic signature thing in it twice. I thought that was kind of funny. Maybe I should work that into my bit.

Friday, Feb. 10
Dear Diary,
I’m looking over the rules for my audition material. No sexual or drug references, no insensitivity to weight or gender issues and no “blatant disrespect for IWU.” No wonder these things are never funny. My favorite part is when the email asked me to refrain from “blatant language” including words like “cr-p” and “s-ck.” And since when do diaries get censored?
- P.S. Maybe Dane Cook wouldn’t do so well in JK!

Saturday, Feb. 11
Dear Diary,
I should probably start writing my script.

Sunday, Feb 12
Dear Diary,
Today I wrote my script, went to church, felt guilty about what was in the script; then rewrote it. I’ve been practicing my material on my girlfriend, who I believe is required by law to laugh at all the “funny” things I say. Not sure how reliable her positive feedback is. Winky face.

Monday, Feb 13 – Audition day!!!
Dear Diary,
It’s 1:30 in the morning, and I’m getting desperate and nervous. Bad combination. Seriously considering making all of my jokes about Taylor University, awkward couples and Overheard at IWU. Those things are funny, right?
-
Sitting in class going over my script. No one beside me or behind me is trying to contain laughter, even though you know they have to be reading over my shoulder. This doesn’t look good.
-
Thirty minutes until my audition. I’m more nervous than a Carmin girl waiting to get asked to Rebash.
-
Just finished my audition. I think it went pretty well, except for that part in the middle when I completely stopped talking and stared awkwardly at the judges for 15 seconds. I just don’t think that was a good thing to do. But I did work a Dane Cook reference into my bit. Score.

Tuesday, Feb. 14
Dear Diary,
Checked my email at 6:30 this morning. Nothing. Getting impatient.
-
It’s 10 a.m. Still no email, but one of the judges from last night came up to me in McConn and said, “Great job at auditions last night!” Translation: “You s-cked.”
-
Emails that start out with the word “congratulations” are the best. Once I stop jumping up and down screaming like a 15-year-old girl at a Justin Bieber concert (or me at a Justin Bieber concert), I start a packed schedule that leads to a performance at JK! on Friday, March 23.

Three other comedians and I will compete for all the fame, honor and prestige this competition has to offer. I’ll let you figure out if the second part of that last sentence is a joke or not, but there will be plenty more where that came from at showtime.

A new interactive art exhibit, featuring the work of Indiana Wesleyan University professor Rod Crossman, is now on display in Beard Arts Center.

Crossman, an assistant professor of art, is known for his contemporary and outdoor paintings. His current show “I Am” explores a new definition of art.

Crossman chose not to showcase his painting. Instead he experiments with varying ways to make art. The exhibit consists of post-discipline art objects and installations.

“Post discipline refers to the blurring of lines between disciplines and the letting go of specialized disciplines,” said Crossman.

Crossman included at least one interactive element with each piece.

“Many of the installations are designed with elements that invite the viewer to respond if they wish,” said Crossman. “[People] can play with the objects, rearrange them or add to them.”

The exhibit also explores the notion that identity is contextual. Crossman explains the exhibit explores the idea of a sacred space. It is referencing the idea that “Holy Ground” can be wherever we open ourselves to hearing, seeing and feeling God’s presence.

“God responds by showing up in miraculous ways, such as in Moses’ burning bush experience,” said Crossman.

Crossman accumulated the objects for the show over the past three years. Crossman said when the objects are put together in certain installations it brings new meaning to the way they are contextualized.

Even the exhibit’s name pushes viewers to explore the idea of personal and corporate identity as well as their relationships with others. Crossman hopes to help people find that space between, where their gifts and calling intersect with the world’s needs.

Several of Crossman’s students are excited about getting the chance to view their professor’s work.

“Crossman is an outstanding artist. I think that his exhibit will be one of the best of the year,” said Michael Bratt (fr), a student in Crossman’s Fine Arts class. “Crossman has his own unique style, and I think a lot of thought goes into his artwork. He has great stories and his passion is definitely brought out in his art.”

Sarah Dennert (so), another of Crossman’s, students said she’s looking forward to seeing the exhibit.

“I’m definitely excited to see my professor’s work,” said Dennert.

Crossman’s exhibit will be on display until Nov. 10. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Students at Indiana Wesleyan University have created artwork inspired by Horatio Spafford’s well-known hymn, “It Is Well With My Soul.” The 1920 Gallery’s latest exhibit will showcase select pieces focused on the theme.

Emily Rodemann (sr), curator of the 1920 Gallery, is responsible for choosing the themes for each of the exhibits the gallery holds. Rodemann said she wants to hold exhibits inspired by short lines from poems and songs.

According to a website providing historical information on hymns, Spafford had the authority to speak of sorrows billowing like the sea.

Spafford was a successful lawyer in Chicago when his only son died at age 4. Then the Great Chicago Fire destroyed all of Spafford’s real estate investments. The Spafford family decided to travel to England, but as they prepared to sail across the Atlantic, Horatio was called back to Chicago at the last minute. He told his wife and four daughters he would meet them in England.

The ship carrying his wife and daughters collided with another vessel. Only Spafford’s wife survived, sending him news of his daughters’ deaths by telegram. On his way to meet his wife, Horatio wrote the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” as he passed the spot of his daughters’ death.

Rodemann chose the hymn because of its expression of the peace one can have through a relationship with Christ even in the midst of tragedy. Rodemann said she had students submit art inspired by both joyful and horrible moments in their life.

“I have been through a couple significant events in my life where I needed the peace of the Lord more than anything,” Rodemann said. “It is normal to feel anger and contempt towards God in those instances. As I’ve grown, I have realized that He was always there to comfort me at my lowest, and even though it was not completely OK, it was well with my soul and I [could] praise His name.”

Stephanie Middaugh (sr) painted a piece for the exhibit. Middaugh, an art education major, said she is excited at the opportunity to display her work in the 1920 Gallery.

One of Middaugh’s paintings is titled “The Veil is Torn.” It is a mixed-medium fiber art painting using string to represent the temple curtain that was torn in two when Christ died. Middaugh said the string represents the way in which people can become “tangled” in life.

“[The tangled string represents] our insecurities, our failures and our idea that we need to always be in control,” Middaugh said. “Even if we think we are in the biggest mess. God always brings glory to Himself through those situations. Somehow He takes those tangled messes and makes something beautiful out of them.”

Rodemann said she is excited in particular by one student’s photo submissions. They were taken in China and show people with mental disabilities.

The photos show that it is not well with their bodies, but it’s well with their souls, Rodemann said.

Rodemann said she selected 12 pieces of art to display from roughly 20 submissions.