by Aaron Schmelzer | Apr 6, 2014 | News Slider
Entering the last show of the three-day production of Singarama’s On Fire, the “Stop,” ‘Drop” and “Roll” groups were all tied up with one win a piece. That changed when university president Randy Lowry announced the show “Just Drop It” as the Sweepstakes Award winner at Collins Alumni Auditorium Saturday night. The show, consisting of members from Sigma Iota Delta, Delta Sigma, Pi Delta, Kappa Chi and friends, made its way to the top, something that director and senior Aaron Joseph said was unforgettable. “It was a fantastic feeling,” Joseph said. “I’ll never be able to forget the feeling [of winning].” Joseph also spoke on one of the key elements of the production. “Scott Bledsoe and Rainey Lankford wrote the script for me, and they did a fantastic job,” Joseph said. “I think that’s what pulled the whole show together.” The story of “Just Drop It” is about a man named Dan, who is constantly assailed by his fear in life. Eventually, he drops his fear and becomes a happier person. The act won its first honor, the Theme Category Award, on Thursday. The “Drop” group sang and danced to “I’m So Excited,” “Bad,” “More,” “Love on Top,” “Higher and Higher,” “Any Way You Want It,” “I Know Where I’ve Been” and “Goodbye.” Joseph admits that he did not walk the path to success alone. “I got so much help from so many different people,” Joseph said. “I couldn’t have done it without those people.” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” directed by junior Makenzie Kanyuh, won the Music Category Award on Friday night. The show consisted of students from Delta...
by Janice Ng | Apr 1, 2014 | News Slider
“Drop,” the second show in this year’s Singarama’s On Fire performance, looks to provide a different take on the usual Singarama act. The show’s plot revolves around main character Dan, played by senior Sigma Iota Delta member Drew Watson. Dan has been struggling with fear his whole life, and when he gets an invitation to a college reunion, he must drop his fears. In the show, Fear is portrayed as an actual character, only perceptible to Dan. Senior Sigma Iota Delta member Rainey Lankford plays the role of Fear. Lankford also co-wrote the script with senior and fellow SID member Scott Bledsoe. Lankford has been involved with Singarama for the past three years, hosting the show for two years in a row. “This show is something different from the way things usually go,” Lankford said. “We tried to step away from the typical love story. There’s love in the story, but it’s more about something that goes deeper, which is the way that our fears control us.” Director Aaron Joseph, a senior and SID member, has been involved with Singarama for the past three years as music director and a lead. “Directing’s been a whole different ballgame,” Joseph said. “It has been nice to form my show the way I’ve envisioned it and to see my vision come to life. “I’ve been trying to kind of teach a lesson to people that sometimes, you have this fear and sometimes, it can hold you back, but you find a lot of freedom when you face your fears,” Joseph said. Lauren King, a junior Pi Delta member, plays the role of...
by Ariel Jones | Oct 23, 2012 | News Slider
Students, faculty and guests alike gathered in Shamblin Theater on Oct. 22 for the final Presidential debate watch party where President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney gave their final thoughts and opinions on the topic of foreign policy. Per tradition, those in attendance were offered pizza and drinks on arrival. Following the pizza, those who had “clickers” answered poll questions about the debate and who they would vote for. Four panelists shared their thoughts after the poll with series moderator Professor Alan Griggs. Attorney Gregory Ramos of North, Pursell & Ramos, junior political science major Scott Bledsoe, Toby Compton of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, and Katie Culp, a master’s student in Civic Leadership here on campus were members of the panel. Each gave their opinions on what to look for in each candidate. They also discussed what issues may be addressed, namely the main topic of the night: foreign policy. The final debate took place at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla., moderated by Bob Schieffer, host of CBS News’ “Face the Nation.” The military, economy, education and foreign issues were all topics the candidates discussed during their allotted 90 minutes of debating. At the end, both candidates gave their final closing remarks, asking their supporters to vote for them on Nov. 6. Bob Schieffer closed the debate by quoting his mother, “Go vote. It makes you feel big and strong.” Closing this Pizza and Politics series, Dr. Jimmy McCollum asked a few final polling questions, and Griggs asked the panelists their last thoughts on the debate. The floor was opened for questions or statements from the...
