Section C · Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Thursday, March 12, 1998
Hands up
Delta Chi and Gamma Phi Beta decide on the perfect still action for their act. They will continue rehearsing all throughout next week. Photo by Eileen Bakkri / KANSAN
Hoax evolves into success story
Special to the Kansan
What began as a boat in 1949 forever changed the fate of the variety show that benefits the Douglas County United Way.
By Brad Hallier
In the fall of 1949, KU student Roy Wonder came up with the idea for Rock Chalk Revue, but the show stirred little interest at the University. Wonder got Ross Miller, a student at Kansas State and director of a similar Wildcat show, to write a prank letter to the University Daily Kansan, complaining that the University of Kansas was stealing his idea, naming the song Y-orpheum.
KU students rallied to defend Wonder and his new idea, and the show was off and running.
Before the first show in 1950,
organizers changed the name from Y-Orpheum to Rock Chalk Revue. KU student Kathleen Larsen was the winner of a name the show contest and won a $10 prize.
The reue carries a big following today, mainly from the greek system.
The first revue was April 1, 1950, in Hoch auditorium, and admission was 50 cents.
Since 1975, only one non greek organization has made the revue. A group of students from scholarship halls performed in 1990.
In 1965, non-greek students questioned the selection process. Kay Whittaker, who was director of the Lewis Hall skit that did not make the revue that year, said she thought that the lack of independent group participation was a problem. She questioned whether groups were chosen based on talent or simply the students' opinions of who they liked.
The revue always appears to have had an impact on its participants. Floyd Thomas Jr., participant in the 1968 replay as a member of Pi Kappa Alpha said, "Everyone considered it one of the most prestigious events a fraternity or sorority could do."
The revue has had its share of controversy throughout the years. In 1962, Kappa Sigma and Delta Delta Delta performed a skit called "Medea." The skit was investigated for the possibility of being taken from the original play, "Medium Rare." Although the investigation never resulted in any action, some said that the
skit plagiarized the play almost verbatim.
In 1985, three fraternities combined for one skit. Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Epsilon Pi, a traditionally Jewish fraternity, and Kappa Alpha Psi, a traditionally African-American fraternity made the final cut, and the usual all-white revue had a slightly new look.
The performance would have been only the second time an African-American fraternity had participated, but before the revue, Kappa Alpha Psi dropped out.
Halie Sims, Kappa Alpha Psi member, said members didn't anticipate the amount of time needed for practice.
Staff, officers give their all to revue
History will continue to be made as years roll by.
Rv Lari O'Taale
Special to the Kansan
In addition to their duties, all members must put together a notebook of information, advice and tips for next year's staff members to help the next year move more smoothly.
Each April, the Rock Chalk Revue staff positions are filled and many people commit themselves to a year of hours of work and various duties to make the revue a possibility.
Although the executive staff is paid, the remainder of the staff participates on a volunteer basis.
The executive staff is paid depending on the amount of time each position
requires.
Mike Cain, senior adviser, said that the financing for paychecks came from a portion of the funds raised throughout the year, including revenue ticket sales, alumni donations, advertisements in the show's programs and corporate sponsors. Corporate sponsors pay about $4,000 for the year, and sponsors' logos appear on all revue advertisements, including posters and programs.
Cain said he did not consider the payments as wages because the students only were paid one sum at the end of the year.
However, there is a catch.
"We like to think of the payment more as a scholarship because their time is taken away from study time," he said.
"We don't get paid until we turn in the notebook at the end of the year," said Kyle Evans, executive director. "But we don't really do it for the money. It's worth it because it's so fun. A lot of it is for community service."
Evans also said that the staff members liked getting involved and helping Douglas County by putting together the show as well as performing in various service activities.
"We're all college students from Generation X. We're the ones that people think just sit on our butts," he said. "But we get out there and help and try to make a difference."
STAFF PROFILES
Executive producer — Andrew Schauer, Green Bay, Wis., junior Executive director — Kyle Evans, Derby senior
Duties include working 40 hours a
week, handling the 250 member
cast, scheduling rehearsals and cria-
ting practices.
Assistant director — Alex Locke, St Paul. Minn..sophomore
Community service chairs Anne Campbell, Shawne junior, Rob Hannon, Pitttown high
Business chairs — Kristin Moore, Lawrence senior; Jeff Cast, Wichita senior
Duties include handling many of the revenue's financial aspects
Promotions — John Laing, Shawnee junior
Duties include handling public relations and advertising.
Alumnit relations — Kristen Edelman, Northampton, Pa., junior production coordinator — Renee Podolowski — Jeffrey Duttes include work.
Promotions assistant — Sara Wright, Torpeka senior
Duties include helping with public relations and advertising.
Secretary — Susie Buescher, Ballwin, Mo. junior
Duties include taking notes and dealing with other paperwork. Members at large — Julie Hanson, Arden Mills, Minn., junior; Julie Pedlar, Wichita state; Brian Karen, Town & Country, Mo., senior; Christina Coleman, Leawood
junior; Chris Kemp, Mission Hills senior
Duties include assisting the various executive members
Director's cabinet coordinator — Mindy Newton, Junior Duties include serving as a link between the producer and the cast. choreographer — Bronwyn Shields, Goodland junior
Duties include choreographing the show's opening number and helping with other choreography.
Senior advisers — Chad Bechard,
Kansas City senior; Mike Cain,
Bellevue, Neb., senior; Krista Engel
mann; Lawrence senior.
All senior advisers have previously worked other positions, so they are able to give advice because they know the ropes.
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