Critical MASS, a student dance group from Clark University, won the top prize at “Consortium’s Got Talent,” a contest sponsored by the Colleges of Worcester Consortium, held Nov. 12 at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts. Chosen by audience vote, the winners received bragging rights and $1,000 from the evening’s cosponsor, Foley’s Collision Center.

Critical MASS, founded in spring 2009, includes Christian Baber ’12, Deanna Jarvis ’12, Kayleigh Lucci ’11 and Minh Mai ’11. The dance team wowed the audience with its athletic moves and perfectly timed interpretation.

Video of the group’s winning performances at “Consortium’s Got Talent” can be seen at Critical MASS’ YouTube channel.

Eight acts competed in round one; three acts, chosen by a panel of judges, moved on to the final round and competed with a wild card performer. The judges included Jyima Ofori-Atta, a.k.a. Amiyi, a hip-hop artist and model; Kaz Gamble, a music producer/writer/composer/artist; and Ray Gonzalez, a dancer and instructor.

The emcee for the evening was comedian Dan Smith, owner of Wisecracks Comedy Club.

Founded in 1968, the Colleges of Worcester Consortium, Inc. is an alliance of public and private colleges in Central Massachusetts that works cooperatively both to further the missions of the member institutions individually and to advance higher education regionally.