Forget the elementary trick of rubbing your stomach and patting your head at the same time. The musical dance and theater group STOMP puts those skills to shame.

With tight beats and slapstick comedy, the performers of STOMP kept audiences engaged when they visited Mershon Auditorium Wednesday as part of an Ohio Union Activities Board event.

From expected items such as street signs and garbage cans to more unforeseeable objects like lighters and plastic grocery bags, the performers proved they could make music out of anything, including issues of The Lantern.

The eight performers captivated their sold-out audience of about 1,500 people from the beginning of their show by kicking up dust with brooms, until their grand finale of beating garbage cans as drums and their lids as symbols.

The audience gasped at the skill each performer had and their team coordination.

During one set, brooms would slide across stage and in another cans would fly in the air without the performers missing a beat.

Alexandra Flores, a first-year in communication, said she was amazed by the abilities each performer had, and the detail of the show.

“I was not expecting that,” Flores said. “I thought they would have a couple of drums.”  

Large scaffolding covered in street signs, garbage cans, crutches and fire extinguishers set the stage. Dancing shadow figures surrounded the audience on the walls as the performers moved.

It appeared as though the performers would do anything to entertain their audience, and even swung from the scaffolding on set.

Judy Tung, a first-year in international business, said the props used in the show shocked her.

“It was amazing — they use everyday household items,” Tung said. “It’s so down to earth, nothing special.”

Among basketballs and garbage cans, the team also used items such as newspapers and folding chairs to create its thunderous beats in unison.

Tiny flames from Zippo lighters lit the dark stage as the flick of the lighters opening and closing in rhythm filled the silence.  

Tung and Flores agreed that this segment was their favorite.

Kelly Ward, a second-year in biology, said the lighters impressed her because she struggles to even light one herself.

“It was absolutely amazing. Epic, just epic,” Ward said. “It was very entertaining and creative, way beyond what I expected.”