Last Saturday, several couples were canoodling under blankets on Olin Quad, at least in Amy Poehler’s mind. Every year, ACBU hosts Recess, a spring concert that brings a big name to campus. For this year’s event, Bradley students received not one but two celebrity appearances: comedians Amy Poehler and Tina Fey.
“I was very pleased with Amy and Tina,” ACBU president Abby Peterson said. “They have been some of my favorite actresses since I was in elementary school, so getting to see them in their raw and real form was awesome. I thought they were very conversational, funny and real, which was exactly what we were hoping for.”
Before Recess began, ACBU hosted Picnic on the Playground, also on Olin Quad, where they had giveaways, music and games. Students could enjoy the pre-party as they gathered their red chairs and blankets to prepare for the live Zoom projected on the big screen.
Poehler and Fey virtually arrived to cheers from those on the quad. The evening began with an icebreaker called “5-Second Summaries,” which they played with ACBU representative Audrey Stoewer.
“I was super nervous before I hopped on the Zoom,” said Stoewer, a secondary education major. “They were very nice and easy to work with so my nerves calmed down once we got started.”
Covering topics from favorite celebrity crushes and influential people to the best type of cheese and doughnuts, Poehler and Fey were never short of jokes and fun.
Cooper Wilt, a sophomore management and leadership major, was one of the few students who got noticed by Poehler and Fey.
“I was so shocked that they answered my question and that Tina said my name,” Wilt said. “It’s something that I will never forget. It was crazy to think that they were answering my question. This was such a fun event and I’m so happy that ACBU brought them to Bradley.”
After an hour with the ladies, they rounded out the evening answering some speedrun questions and leaving Bradley students with some words of wisdom.
Abby Peterson, a junior marketing major, said she was very happy with the turnout of the evening.
“I was super nervous for the in-person portion of the event since all week, [the weather reports] said it was going to be cold and rainy,” Peterson said. “Luckily it was beautiful out, and we had such a great crowd online and on the quad.”
Peterson also received the opportunity to speak to Poehler and Fey before the event.
“My favorite part was definitely the soundcheck I got to do with Amy and Tina beforehand,” Peterson said. “They were the nicest artists I worked with. They were so prepared, and just getting to talk to them like real people calmed my nerves for the whole event.”
Wilt also enjoyed his evening at Recess.
“I have always loved Tina and Amy,” Wilt said. “I have loved getting to watch them host award shows and be on ‘SNL.’ They are so incredibly funny and talented, and I was excited as soon as Bradley announced they would be coming here.”
For Stoewer, it was the highlight of her first two years of involvement with ACBU.
“Sharing the screen with Amy and Tina was honestly a dream come true,” Stoewer said. “I’ve been a fan since I was little when I’d stay up late to watch SNL with my family… This was definitely my favorite event I’ve gotten to do with ACBU so far.”
