Boom Roasted Productions Hosted “Karaoke Night”
Over 50 students gathered in front of Lauren K. Woods Theatre to sing at the first ever “Karaoke Night” hosted by Boom Roasted Prductions on Friday, Sept. 20, from 5 to 7 pm.
Boom Roasted Productions is a student-run theatre production club that many of the University’s music and theater students are involved in, but it is open to students of every major. Approximately thirty students are involved in Boom Roasted Productions.
Students would select songs that they wanted to perform from a song book, inform DJ Karaoke Steve of their song selection, and perform under a tent for everyone to enjoy.
Performances included students singing and laughing along to “We Can’t Stop” by Miley Cyrus, “Dirty Pop” by *NSYNC, “Just Give Me a Reason” by P!nk, “Edge of Glory” by Lady GaGa, and “Since You’ve Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson.
Advisor of Boom Roasted Productions Maurice Moran said that majority of the students on campus are unaware of this organization. “[Boom Roasted Productions] students were looking for a generally popular activity that would let everyone know of the club’s existence,” said Moran.
Moran has been the Production Assistant with the University Music and Theatre Arts Department and the summer productions at Shadow Lawn Stage for five years. Maurice became advisor of Boom Roasted Productions because he “wanted to encourage the students to have another outlet for performance besides the department productions.” Moran signed as the club advisor three years ago.
“Karaoke Night” was planned and coordinated by the club’s president, Michael Rosas, along with the executive board. Rosas, senior theatre and applied communications major, said that this was Boom Roasted Productions’ first event that wasn’t a play. The free event welcomed and encouraged students to join and sing-along.
Rosas is hoping that students will find that performing on stage while not being a theatre or music major is easier than one thinks. Organizations such as Boom Roasted Productions and The Music Alliance give students that outlet to display their talents.
Sophomore elementary education and English major Melinda Bossi was informed of the event from a classmate. “I love theatre production! Growing up I was always involved in musical productions and plays so ‘Karaoke Night’ definitely sparked my interest.”
Pizza and beverages were served outside of Woods Theatre next to the karaoke tent. This event was funded by the club treasury and by dramatic and comic performances scheduled in the theatre.
“Karaoke Night” was publicized through being listed in the Student Activities Board fall event calendar as well as being mentioned on Facebook and Twitter. Boom Roasted Productions plans on increasing awareness through participation in Open House and other club gatherings.
According to Rosas, Boom Roasted Productions will be hosting a showcase on Friday, Sept. 27 and Saturday, Sept. 28 in Lauren K. Wood’s Theatre at 7:30 pm.
Rosas said, “We’re still in our infancy as a club so [besides the showcase this weekend] we still don’t know what other events we want to produce… A cabaret and a haunted house were some ideas that were thrown around but we need members to produce these events so recruitment is most important.”
“I am definitely considering becoming involved with Boom Roasted Productions after tonight,” said Bossi. Coming into her freshman year Bossi wanted to become involved with theatre, but she felt as if she had little free time. “Everyone seems to get along and have a good time.”
Boom Roasted Productions encourages students to become involved, perform, and help plan events like “Karaoke Night.” Meetings are every Wednesday at 2:30 pm in Woods Theatre and are open to all students. “Be there or be an equilateral parallelogram,” joked Rosas.
PHOTO COURTESY of Kelly Thomas
