When Jackie Komos ’11 transferred to The College of Wooster last year, she decided to start a club for pro-life students on campus. She says, “I really wanted to start something but it kind of ‚Ķ flopped. There was not much interest on campus.”
This past summer Komos came up with a new idea for a student organization: a Broadway musical revue that would be run, produced and performed by students. A Broadway musical revue is a collection of songs from the Broadway musical repertoire, put together in one show.
Komos explained, “There weren’t many opportunities for a show this semester, only one fall play and no musicals. If someone wanted to get involved with vocal performances, their only other options were to join one of the a cappella groups or try out for choir.”
Komos hopes this organization will be a new outlet for students wanting to get involved and showcase their talents. She reasoned, “There are a lot of people on campus that are passionate about theater and music, or both! I knew there would be some interest.”
Having already tried to start a club on campus, Komos learned from her mistakes and was better prepared this time. She did not find the task difficult; publicity was created immediately once the group was approved. Komos said, “I basically put up flyers and people showed up.”
The Broadway musical revue is open to instrumentalists, actors, singers and dancers. She explained, “It’s mostly just singers so far, we have a percussionist and a pianist, but I am definitely hoping more instrumentalists will show interest.”
The club is open to anyone who wants to join. “We hold no auditions,” she said. “Everyone is welcome.” The group’s first show will take place on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. in Gault Recital Hall.
Participants will have meetings every three weeks, during which they perform their selected pieces and exchange feedback with other members. Komos hopes the club will prove “a learning and growing experience for everyone that takes part in it.”
During its first semester, the group’s agenda will involve much trial-and-error. “We are going to see what will happen. I would like to have more shows in the future; hopefully even funding so we can have a show in the [Shoolroy] black-box, but for now we will continue to meet as long as there is interest,” said Komos.