Last Scot Standing 2021

2021 Finalists

Watch the Event Recording

Trace Reynolds ‘22 (1st Place and Audience Choice Award Winner)

Trace is a Theatre arts and Communication arts double major. He’s involved in many comedy groups around campus, like the Sweaty-Toothed Madmen, Exit 17 Live, and Gordon College Theatre productions like The Miser. Trace has always loved entertaining, and making people laugh, and he’s been thinking of Stand-up bits in the shower since he was in high school. He hopes that you can all enjoy his set, and laugh at/with him.

Ellian Chalfant ’22 (2nd Place Winner)

Ellian is a Communication Arts senior who’s honored to do stand-up for the first time as a Last Scot Standing finalist. At Gordon College, she has been involved in Residence Life, Campus Events Council, and the College Creative department as a student writer. Though she hasn’t been in shows on campus, she is known for funny social media posts and dabbled in comedy in the Golden Goose competition last fall. In her free time, Ellian likes to solve puzzles, write stories, and attempt to overcome her fear of soda cans. She would like to thank her family and friends for pushing her out of her comfort zone and supporting her in all endeavors. Enjoy the show!

Jesse Kriesel ‘22 (Finalist)

Jesse is a senior Theatre Arts and Music Major, which means he’s throwing away his life two whole times! He nearly died going through the grueling audition and thorough screening process required to be a finalist for Last Scot Standing. At Gordon College, he writes and acts (rarely fully clothed for either) for Exit 17 Live and co-leads The SweatyToothed Madmen Improv Squadron. He first got involved in comedy when he was born, as his father, mother, brother, and sisters are the five funniest people he knows, and he’d never be as qualified to be a comedic arts major as he is without them. He also laughs at Brian Regan, John Mullaney, Louis C.K., and George Carlin, and the G.O.A.T., Dave Chappelle. In his free time Jesse like to mourn, think, ponder, question, and read children’s books (6 and under only). Jesse loves his goddaughter Elsa the very most of all. She is three, her favorite color is purple, and she is perfect.

RK Morgan ‘24 (Finalist)

RK is rumored to be a Sophomore Art Major and Music Minor at Gordon College, but this has yet to be confirmed. Pst! Hey, you! Act natural and listen closely. It’s me, RK. I don’t have much time because these bios are really short. But it’s imperative that I warn you before it’s too late. You remember Last Scot Standing, yeah? You should - you’re reading the bios. Well, I’m going undercover there and I might not make it out. So if anything happens to me, I need you to give everyone this message. It’s absolutely crucial. If I don’t make it back, tell everyone that the Last Scot Standing is - oh no, they’re back! I’ve got to wrap this up. Last Scot Standing is brought to you in part by viewers like you. So thank you, and enjoy the show!

Jay Kum ‘22 (Finalist)

Jay is a senior Psychology and Economics major who is simultaneously honored and confused to find that he is one of only six Gordon students found with the ability to stand. At Gordon College, he spends much of his time working for GCSA, putting the acting world on notice through The Miser and Fall Shorts, and being an intramural student athlete. Jay got involved in comedy in 2013 when he realized he wasn’t good looking enough to get through middle school without being funny. In his free time, Jay loves to eat good food, spend quality time with the homies, and pet dogs. After graduation, Jay hopes to figure out what he wants to do after graduating. Jay would like to thank his friends and family for laughing at his jokes when they’re good and laughing with him when they’re bad. Enjoy the show (especially Jay’s so he can win money)!

Noelle Ledford ‘25 (Finalist)

Noelle is a freshman Communication and Theatre Arts Major and is thrilled to be a finalist in Last Scot Standing. She is a part of many Gordon College organizations, including Exit 17 Live and the Sweaty-Toothed Madmen, so she must at least be kind of funny. Noelle started actively doing comedy this year, but was generally hilarious before that, just not on purpose. Her comedic inspiration mostly comes from Robin Williams. He’s a super underground comedian, you’ve probably never heard of him. Her sense of humor is completely different, but if you kind of squint hard and plug your ears, she still won’t seem anything like him. Her hobbies include scooping the ice cream at Lane, chasing squirrels, watching people drop things and then struggle to pick them up, pretending to read books when she’s alone, and finally listening to Taylor Swift and strutting across campus like a girlboss as her hair flows dramatically in the wind. She’d like to thank her dad for sending her dad jokes as inspiration and her friends for persuading her to do this. She can’t believe you actually read this entire thing and wants to personally congratulate you after the show, but for now, enjoy the fun!

Coaches

Coaches
Jessica Algard - Ellian and Noelle
Juice Wacker - Jesse and RK
Ryan Cannister - Jay and Trace

Judges
Mark Stevick
Mary Jacobs
Steve Dagley

Producer - Dr. Christine Gardner
Marketing Team - Alexis Morelli, Nick Markham, Elise LoSardo, Jasmine Lopez
Headshots - Nick Markham
Videographer - Beverly Olson
Photographer - Julia Murphy

Special Thanks: Chris Jones, Sandra Doneski, Gordon College Covid-19 Support Team, Nick Hammes, CTS, Barrington Faculty & Staff, Physical Plant, Public Safety, and the Design Center.

Note from the Director/Creator of Last Scot Standing

Communication Arts and Theatre Arts at Gordon encourage students to express themselves in a variety of creative ways and to communicate effectively with others and the world around them. In our pilot stand-up competition, Last Scot Standing we’ve provided students the opportunity to bring us all together and spread joy through the power of laughter. We’re so glad to be performing again!

—Ryan Cannister
Last Scot Standing Director
Fine Arts Manager for the Department of Communication Arts, Theatre, and Art