Southwestern College Collegian

Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: Campus Life

Ed McMahon won't be making an appearance, but students and other community members will be showing off their talents during the Star Search competitions. The star search contests are being held to help raise money for the sign of the Marquee Theater. The theater was built in 1949 and finished in 1950. It is an older building, which means it is in need of some care. Allyson Moon, associate professor of theater and speech, said, "Because it is outside and there have been leakage problems the mechanization is in need of attention. Light bulbs need replaced and the roof has places where it is rusted out." The ends of the sign have been able to be redone because of a grant given by downtown Winfield. Currently the Marquee is used for many different types of events. Recently, the lobby was redone, so it has provided a space for parties and meetings. "The theatre itself was used for the first time for improv. The 9 Lives troupe performed with alumni to raise money for the theatre," said Moon. Moon and other members of the board for the Marquee have even bigger plans for the space in the future. Moon said, "The group of people who support this project have agreed that we want it to be a performing arts place and gathering place." They want the theatre to be used for music and theatre performances, business meetings, and even as a place to show foreign films that the Cowley theatre can't show. Overall, the hope is for it to be the main feature for downtown Winfield. Every competition will take place on the last Saturday of the month up until August. Competitors will be vying for the opportunity to win cash prizes. The winners of the judge's choice award and people's choice award from each show will move on to the final competition where the winner will be awarded $1,000. The first competition took place this past Saturday. Charles Johnston, theater senior, was one of the eight competitors. "I played "The Song of Purple Summer" from Spring Awakening and sang and played "Being Alive" from Stephen Sondheim's Company. Even though I didn't place, I was extremely honored to be participating with the quality of talent onstage," said Johnston. The winner of the judge's award was Jeff Sadler, music senior, and Jeremy Groom, computer science senior, won the people's choice award. Future shows will take place April 26, May 24, June 28, and July 26. All of these will take place in Messenger Auditorium. The final competition will take place August 23 in Richardson Auditorium. To sign up call 620-221-7720 or to find out more information contact Moon at 229-6328. Cameron Siefkes is a sophomore majoring in communication. You may e-mail her at cameron.siefkes@sckans.edu.

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