by Aivery Shuck '26
Tomorrow at 9 p.m. students, faculty, and staff are invited to join together in the Wesley Chapel for SPOT. Attendees can expect to experience a night of fun, laughter and community.
SPOT is a comedy show that includes skits, musical acts and videos done by Houghton University (HU)community members. It occurs once a semester and has been a tradition at HU for about 50 years.
“SPOT began around the ’70s (around the same time as Saturday Night Live (SNL)) and it was a much more ‘acoustic, laid back’ version put on by the then Student Senate,” explained Student Engagement Director Jana Newberry. She added that “It remains a campus staple but has definitely grown in production value!”.
Over the years, SPOT has evolved into a much bigger show and is now run primarily by the student body. Each semester, students are encouraged to audition for SPOT hosts. The Campus Activities Board (CAB) oversees the auditions where duos present their ideas for SPOT. A lucky pair is picked as hosts to run the show.
In the spring semester, students are encouraged to participate in the Hall Brawl events (a competition between all student residences) every day during the week leading up to SPOT. At the end of SPOT, the winner will be announced.
Chesnie Waddingham ‘26 and Caleb See ‘25 are this spring semester’s co-hosts.
Some of the SPOT hosts’ responsibilities include advertisement, auditions, producing sketches, finding a band, finding a tech team and coming up with a theme.This show’s theme is Sitcom – the Time Warp 2.
“It’s like the Squeakquel but there was no predecessor,” See said. “A set of music from sitcom shows that have been warped into different genres.” He described it as “a wild ride” with sitcom inspired moments. See added that “your favorite people and professors” will be featured.
“And who knows maybe Chesnie and I will shave our heads clean (bald),” he said, and then added, “We won’t be shaving our heads.”
Waddingham commented that students should expect time travel, great music, funny acts, Matt Webb and Bill Burichter.
See said the audience can expect humor. He encouraged people to “just show up and you will definitely be in for a wild and funny ride.”
SPOT is more than just a comedy show, Waddingham said it “contributes to life on campus by providing a Christ-centered and fun atmosphere for students to use their gifts, talents, and humor to bring everyone together for a great time.” ★
