Homecoming is a big event at all colleges and universities, but UW-Whitewater jam-packs a week full of games and performances to get the most out of the annual event.
Each year the Career and Leadership Development hosts a variety show. This event is open to all student organizations, residence halls and Greeks.
This year there are 20 groups performing, the same as last year, and the show is expected to last roughly two hours.
Homecoming Chairs Veronica Harvard and Melynda Diedrich-Otto are running all aspects of this year’s homecoming.
“We are in charge of everything,” Harvard said. “From auditioning, dress rehearsals, props, coordinating with the Young Auditorium and the staff – everything.”
The only thing Harvard and Diedrich-Otto don’t do is the judging. That aspect is left to staff, faculty and alumni.
Each performance is judged on the following: audience response, costumes/props, originality, overall performance and adherence to Hollywood homecoming theme.
There are three categories of performances that orgs and Greeks can choose to perform: novelty/skit, dance/lip sync and live music performance, Diedrich-Otto said.
Residence hall complex Arey/Benson will be performing a dance. Ryan Ledvina, a coordinator of the complex’s skit, said the dance is based off the Star Wars saga.
“We are all really excited for the Variety Show and it’s easy to get nervous but we have practiced a lot and we’re confident in ourselves,” Ledvina said.
Ledvina said budgeting time and coordinating student schedules is the biggest obstacle they have had to overcome this year, but the complex still put some “fun surprises” in the dance.
Ledvina said he hopes everyone can make it to the Variety Show because you get to see people having fun and making fools of themselves.
“The Variety Show is for everyone,” Ledvina said. “Come and have a good time, you won’t be disappointed.”
The sorority Alpha Sigma will perform a dance based off the “Bring It On” movies.
Karyn Durkin, coordinator of Alpha Sigma’s performance, said the girls will even incorporate some moves from the movies into the dance. They had to watch the movie over and over to get the moves just right, Durkin added.
Even though the girls have practiced as much as possible they still feel that all of the Greeks are a big competition.
“Any of the Greeks who are performing a dance will definitely be big competitors this year,” Durkin said. “Everyone did great last year so we know the competition will be tough.”
Durkin said everyone should come to the variety show because there are many acts that will have the audience “laughing hysterically.”
The Variety Show begins at 8 p.m. this Thursday in the Young Auditorium. Tickets are $4 for students without a homecoming button, $1 for students with a button and $7 for the general public.
One thing that will be enforced this year is that everyone must show an ID before entering the auditorium. Diedrich-Otto said students will be asked to go get their ID if they forget it. General public members must have a photo ID as well.
Harvard said students should purchase their tickets as soon as possible since they have already sold more tickets than last year and there are about 150 tickets left.
