Written by Kristi Soto
For jersey night this year, only people who are participating in Spring Sing were allowed to attend Monday night’s first rehearsal.
Spring Sing Producer Cindee Stockstill sent out an e-mail be- forehand to the directors stating the changes for the first two rehearsals of Spring Sing week this year and all of the people who were allowed in.The Benson House Management Team, known as ushers, checked names at the front door during jersey night. Only those who actively worked on the show alongside the club directors were allowed entrance.
“We have tried several paradigms for jersey night and dress rehearsal over the years, trying to make as many people happy as possible,”Stockstill said. “But it has always bothered us that so many people come to these two very rough rehearsals and never come back to see the finished product on the weekend.
Different clubs held an alternative jersey night during which club members were allowed to attend a practice and cheer on their group. Chi Omega Pi, Delta Gamma Rho, Zeta Pi Zeta and friends had a devotional before their performance, and senior club director Molly Brooks said she found the practice encouraging for all who came to support the show.
“It helps to have members of your own club rooting for you,” Brooks said. “Even though the other clubs were giving us positive feedback during our performance Monday night, it’s still a competition. So I feel like the response we received wasn’t as enthusiastic as it couldhave been with more support from our club members.”
In past years, members of the participating shows would wear their jersey Monday night and watch the performance from the balcony, cheering on their clubs. But according to Spring Sing’s Director, Dr. Steve Frye, it is not a popularity contest to see who can get the most club members to come watch the rehearsal.
“The idea is that club members who are participating in the show are cheering each other on, and you are taking pride in the clubsthat are being represented there,” Frye said.
So on Monday night, all of the participants of Spring Sing were welcomed in to the Benson to start their first rehearsal. At the end of the night, junior Daniel Burnett said he still found the rehearsal to be eventful without the club members cheering from the balcony.
“It was awesome and I loved it,” Burnett said. “I don’t think we lost a lot in not having the other club members there because everyone was still cheering really loud.”
Alongside the different represented clubs were the host and hostesses, ensemble, jazz band, video production and tech crew all working together for the first time. Host and hostesses and ensemble director Dottie Frye said she is excited for all of the effort that is being put in from the students for this year’s Spring Sing theme, “Welcome Home.”
“It’s a good show,” Frye said. “I have had great people to work with. Theyhavegoodattitudesand work ethic, very cooperative and positive with each other. We have really good students here.”
