Lila Gongora
Staff Writer
Alpha Psi Omega presented their “Cabaret: A Genderbent Night” on Wednesday in Morgan Auditorium to raise money for theater productions.
Current and future Alpha Psi Omega members performed an assortment of acts, including songs and poems, giving them the chance to perform in a way they don’t normally get to. The second annual fundraiser event gave out mocktails before the performances.
“When people don’t realize that gender bending is queer art, but, for instance, I have a very low voice, and I often feel that in musicals my voice type is not represented,” senior political science major Rania Kartouch said. “A lot of our girls are altos and would love to sing a song written by a guy or have a dream male role.”
Kartouch coordinated the event and further explained that the event allows the fraternity to fundraise money, as well as showcase to the public what they do as an on-campus organization. She explained that this event is a way for people to learn more about Alpha Psi Omega and take an interest in initiation, even if they are not a theatre major or minor.
Performers took part in singing songs from Broadway musicals or from popular songs by artists such as Olivia Dean. Other performances included a poetry reading and a lip sync by drag queen Lydia Crow, or junior theatre arts major Nathan Terrazas.
Freshman theatre arts major Nick Onalfo, performed “When You’re Good to Mama,” from the musical Chicago. As he sang with a red feather boa wrapped around his neck, the audience was able to get a snippet of the musical’s plot in just those two minutes.
“This song brings a lot of energy, but I was terrified because I can be really nitpicky on myself,” Onalfo said. “When we were doing our dress tech, though, my friend yelled at me to take the mic off the stand before starting the song and that released every bit of anxiety inside me.”
Small adjustments like this are what allow a performer to step into their character and embrace a personality that might be different from who they are. The support from the crowd as each act did this showed appreciation for tangible art in not only our school community, but throughout society.
Senior English major Christopher Cummings read a poem and created space for the audience to appreciate the words of the author that made an impactful statement on the harassment of women.
“I’m someone who wasn’t ever into theatre,” Cummings said. “I did not think I would be, and I walked in on a whim. I did my first show last year, and I’ve loved it more than anything else I’ve found on campus.”
Around 50 students attended the event to support the fraternity, donating $5 each to watch the assortment of performances.
“I am supporting the department of theatre arts and APO, which a lot of my friends are in, so it’s exciting to commemorate the year ending,” Kelia Hulon, senior rhetoric and communication major, said.
Lila Gongora can be reached at lila.gongora@laverne.edu.
Lila Gongora is a sophomore communications major with a concentration in public relations. She is the LV Life editor for the Campus Times and previously served as a staff writer.
