Theme
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Rock Chalk Revue
1995
1997
Catch-phrase themes keep skit options open
By Jani Kumpula Special to the Kansan
This year's Rock Chalk Revue theme is one of a long line of catchy phrases coined to draw people to the musical variety show. The tradition of a yearly theme began in 1964 with "Lacerated Legends."
What's the secret behind "Two Truths and a Lie?"
"Two Truths and a Lie" was chosen in September by the 21 students and faculty adviser who make up the revue advisory board.
However, despite a meticulous selection process, even members of the advisory board were unsure of the theme's meaning.
"What does it mean?" said John Laing, Shawnee junior and revue promotions coordinator. "I don't know what it means, and I don't think anyone on the advisory board knows what it means."
Laing said that the board began with informal brainstorming and discussed different ideas.
"We would blurt out just about whatever came to our minds, and if enough of us liked it, we would write it up on a board," he said.
Ideas for suggested themes come from a variety of directions, some more unlikely than others.
Kyle Evans, Derby senior and revue executive director, said that last year's theme, "On a Mission."
Evans said that board members also brainstormed before the theme selection meeting. He said that he read a book of clichés last summer in an attempt to come up with different ideas.
was first suggested after a board members heard a roommate use it.
The board considers several hundred proposals. Board members discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each of the suggestions in an effort to narrow the choices.
Laing said the board narrowed its choices to five themes and then voted.
Themes are usually broad and vague. But that's exactly what the board aims for. The goal is a theme allowing for many different interpretations and approaches.
"We don't want to be so constrictive that all the shows are the same." Evans said.
However, the theme should not be too ambiguous. The selection
meetings are, therefore, time consuming. They can take up to four hours because board members struggle to find a balanced theme that is neither too vague nor too restrictive.
"It's not good for the theme to be too open so that we have no control, but you want something where the different groups have room to maneuver," said Andrew Schauder, Green Bay, Wis., senior and revenue executive producer.
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