By The Keystone Newspaper Halloween screening to feature raffles, costume contest and more
By Lynda Feustel
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” shadowcast has been a KU tradition for over eight years on the Thursday closest to Halloween. This year’s production is special because it will occur on Halloween night, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, in Schaeffer Auditorium at 7 p.m.
Photo Credits: KU Allies
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to get prop bags and enter raffles. The raffles will include art made by the cast and crew and various other surprises. There will also be a costume contest hosted at intermission that all are encouraged to participate in.
This year’s shadowcast is directed by Peter Zwirble and assistant directed by Livy McClay, Mason Knauer and Katie Moreno. This is Zwirble’s third year involved in “Rocky Horror,” and his second year directing the production.
“My favorite part about directing will always be getting to know and become friends with our cast and crew,” Zwirble said. “They are some of the funniest, silliest, most creative people I know and seeing everyone get more comfortable and coming into their own during rehearsals will always be gratifying.”
About half of the cast are returning members from previous years, including Parker Winters, who previously played the narrator and this year is playing Transylvanian #4 and Betty Monroe.
Photo Credit: Lexi Lavenia
“I think people come back to ‘Rocky Horror’ because they enjoy being a part of it,” Winters said. “Another reason could be because of the relationships built through ‘Rocky Horror’ each year.”
Another returning cast member is Nicole Gerstenberg, who played Janet last year and is now taking on the titular Rocky. “It gives me a chance to just be silly and dance around while covered in glitter,” Gerstenberg said.
Cast member Levi Hart, who previously played Riff Raff and is now playing Brad stated, “I love being able to goof around and be over the top when I’m acting. Since it’s a shadowcast and there’s no speaking, I have to rely on body language and expression which is really fun.”
The cast and crew have been hard at work twice a week to stage scenes and create props, costumes and set pieces. Winters spoke on this year’s production, saying, “It’s bigger and better, having people interested in costumes is especially wonderful.”
Gerstenberg said, “This year we have a lot more people involved. There are also more people interested in helping behind the scenes, like making props or costumes. We didn’t have much of a crew last year, so it’s awesome that we’ll be able to have more help.”
First time “Rocky Horror” viewers are called “virgins,” and most cast and crew members recommend going in blind. Zwirble said, “Don’t ask questions; just roll with it!”
When remembering her first “Rocky Horror,” two-time audience member Kaitlyn Haines said, “It was a terrifying experience. I didn’t know what I got myself into, but it was fun.”
“Rocky Horror” shadowcasts have occurred since the movie’s release in 1975.
“It’s such a great tradition with a lot of history in the queer community,” Gerstenberg said. “It’s so fun to be surrounded by so many people with such high energy, costumes and yelling callouts back at the movie.”
“‘Rocky Horror’ is an extremely unique theater experience,” Zwirble said. “It breaks every rule and truly feels like a silly movie night with your friends, but on a big stage and a theater full of people you don’t know. It’s one of the very rare queer traditions that in no way can be sanitized by the dominant culture. ‘Rocky Horror’ reminds us that queer people are weird and we should stay that way!”
Allies provides a safe space for LGBTQ+ students and allies to socialize and have fun. In addition to hosting the “Rocky Horror” shadowcast, they host an annual drag show and many more events each semester. Weekly club meetings are held on Thursdays, at 11 a.m. at Boxwood House. More information can be found on their Instagram @KUallies.