“Generally, they need to make me laugh for me to give them a good score,” said Jessica Howe, a UAB spokeswoman.

Auditions were held in an informal style ­— a three-minute solo routine before the four judges. These routines were judged based on appropriateness, content and delivery of content.

Depending on scores, 12 students were to be invited back to perform at the final event at 9 p.m. Feb. 27 in the International Center’s Crossroads Cafeteria.

Howe said judges have witnessed impressive auditions this year, including one that consisted of a keyboarding comedic singer relating his music to campus occurrences.

“We’ve also had some really creepy auditions,” Howe said. “One guy came in and talked about herpes for, like, eight minutes.”

For those who were invited back to the competition, comedy seems to be a hobby for them.

“I really enjoy comedy and I like to write comedy, and this is one of the comedic avenues I have yet to explore,” said Diego Attanasio, a telecommunication, information studies and media junior and writer for MSU’s sitcom, The Show.

Journalism junior Andrew Struska said performing is an art, and each person puts his or her own touches on an act.

“There’s so much ingenuity in it,” he said. “Every comedian has their own style, it’s kind of like music.”

The students competing in the event will be performing against each other for prizes. The first prize winner will receive a $250 Visa gift card and an invitation to open for a comedian this spring at Connxtions Comedy Club, 2900 N East St., in Lansing. Second and third place finishers will receive $150 and $100 Visa gift cards, respectively.

Three judges ­—­­­­­­­ a comedian, a representative from Your Mom Improv and a Connxtions Comedy Club representative – will decide the winners of the competition.

Aside from MSU students in the competition, Western Michigan University student Trever Smith, winner of Last Bronco Standing, will host the event and also will open for the Spartan comedians.