Shadow Cast from left to right: Brad–Random brave but willing student who volunteered from the audience; Janet: Cassie Ferro; Transylvanian Time Warper: Shea Burright

As part of October’s programming, the English department’s Professor Dionne Howell hosted a Rocky Horror Picture Show event complete with a shadow cast and props for audience participation.

Props were handed out to participants to engage in typical Rocky Horror fashion.

“Yes, I am aware, it was risky,” Howell said. “ And if I’m honest a little uncomfortable.” The show is known for its wild and raucous content and audience participation, so the experience was bound to play with limits and parallel the film’s nature.

For most, the RHPS is an opportunity to let go and experience theater, music, and community.

“It’s about community and a shared experience. It’s about being part of something,” said host and PPSC alum Rob Dunn. “The alumnus recruited to host callbacks is Rob Dunn, a RHPS extraordinaire,” said Howell.  With over 100 viewings, Dunn has been in the Shadow Cast and has served as that Shadow Cast’s President and Director. “Last year, he volunteered with the IFSOC during their showing of Rocky Horror to help with guests (including identifying those pesky virgins) and with audience participation,” Howell said.

PPSC’s arts and literary journal Parley also joined the events this year by hosting a writing contest: “The theme this semester is Lusus naturae (Latin): a freak of nature; nature at play. The monstrous. The misfit. The marvel. We want writing about the things and people that don’t fit the pattern, and about the lines we draw between natural and unnatural, normal and strange, human and something else. Interpret the theme literally or loosely. Surprise us.”

The winners of the contest were announced at the event (and are listed below).

The afternoon festivities were a nice pause to a busy semester. “I’m not sure there’s a metric to measure its success except to say that 96 beautiful humans attended, and by the end, it was clear that they felt included,” Howell said.

Parley writing contest winners:

  • “Whatever Helps You Sleep at Night” by Lauren “Lola” Martin
  • “A Glitch in Nature” by Sheer Birchfield
  • “Ghost Swing” by Miyah Amonette

    Glow sticks (or flashlights, digital phone lights, and safe alternatives) are used during the song “There’s a Light (Over at the Frankenstein Place)”

  • “Tender Swine” by Natalie Duncan
  • “Everyone Knows My Name — Purgatory Version: A Gothic Cabaret” by Zealous Ramone Ogden