Photo by: Henoc Kivuye
Freshman Fanfare is back and this year the freshmen are more despicable than ever.
Under the moniker “Despicable Freshmen,” the freshman class, with the direction of seniors Caitlin and Carly Crockett and junior Kelcy Nash, have channeled their inner minions through the film “Despicable Me” to put together a show that would make even Gru and his mob of minions proud.
This will be each of the directors’ second fanfare show.
“We’ve all directed fanfare before and as directors, we try to put on the best show we can,” Nash said. “We aim to make each show better than the last and tweak things so that we can make sure the show will be the best that it can be.”
Fanfare is an Oklahoma Christian University tradition, providing an opportunity for freshmen to take part in a school production whether they have prior experience or not. It is a popular freshmen activity and has attracted over 200 participants for this year’s show.
“This is the most freshmen any of us have ever had to direct in our shows before,” Carly Crockett said. “But it has been exciting working with them and it’s so great to see them having fun and bonding with each other. We really enjoy working with them, and they work really hard which is great.”
According to the freshmen, the feelings are mutual. This year’s fanfare participants had nothing but positive things to say of Nash and the Crocketts.
“We love our directors,” freshman Mason Ellis said. “They’re awesome, they’re very patient with us and they are so good at explaining the dances to us. They’ve done such a great job creating our show.”
According to some freshmen, if the directors have fun it makes the performance more fun for the freshmen as well.
“You can tell that our directors are here because they want to be and because they love what they are doing,” freshman Natalie Yeats said. “To see upperclassmen actually care about us is really welcoming and it definitely adds to the experience.”
The show consists of featured acts as well as performances featuring all of the freshmen participants. It is hosted by four emcees, also from the freshman class.
“I’m excited for fanfare,” freshman Elijah Weaver, one of the four emcees, said. “It’s going to be a blast.”
Fanfare also serves as a part of Oklahoma Christian’s “freshmen experience,” aiming to give freshmen the chance to make new friends within their class, get out of their comfort zone and try something fun and new.
“My favorite part of fanfare was just meeting so many new people,” Yeats said. “They divided us into two sections and I wasn’t in the same section with my friends so I had to really talk to people. I ended up making a lot of new friends.”
Yeats’ fellow freshmen classmates unanimously agree that it’s the bonding and social interaction that make fanfare even more special and the long hours of practice more fun.
“It might sound cheesy but when you’re in a crowd of 200 people and you’re all expected to act dopey and do embarrassing things, it’s easy to bond with those people,” freshman Becca Stacey said. “Fanfare has been a great way for our class to get to know each other. I think we’ve all walked away with at least one new friend.”
After only a few weeks of preparation, it’s time for the rest of campus to see what the freshmen class has accomplished.
“This is the freshmen class’ debut,” Caitlin Crockett said. “They get to showcase their talents to the student body and show off just how hard they’ve worked. We’re excited for everyone to see all of their hard work come together on stage.”
Caitlin Crockett’s fellow fanfare directors share her enthusiasm for the campus to finally see the show.
“When the audience watches the show, they will be able to see how much the freshmen are enjoying themselves and how much they have bonded with each other through putting the show together,” Nash said. “The freshmen should be really proud of themselves because they have worked so hard and they have really got a good show.”
Carly Crockett agreed.
“The show is going to be funny, energetic and entertaining,” Crockett said. “If you don’t go, I think you’ll be missing out on something great.”
The “Despicable Freshmen” will be putting on their debut performance tonight at 7 p.m. followed by a matinee performance Saturday at 2 p.m. in Hardeman Auditorium.
“The audience can expect a lot of jokes and lots of laughing,” Yeats said. “The emcees are great and I think the audience will definitely be able to see all of the work we’ve all put into the show.”
General admission tickets are $7 but admission is free for all Oklahoma Christian students, faculty, and staff with a valid Oklahoma Christian ID card.
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