Alpha Psi Omega
Alpha Psi Omega
National Honorary Theatre Fraternity
MISSION STATEMENT: Alpha Psi Omega exists as a vehicle for the advancement of theatre on the ETBU campus. We encourage pride in one's work and demand an attitude of service from our members. Through theatrical productions, campus activities, and community service, Alpha Psi Omega will strive to play an active role in campus life. In doing so we hope to foster a love for the stage among our members and our school.
Our MOTTO:As members of Alpha Psi Omega, we understand the choice we have made and the responsibility that goes along with it. As active members, we promise to commit ourselves fully not only to Alpha Psi Omega but to our theatre department and our school. We pledge to be responsible to the Alpha Psi Omega constitution, to obey it fully, and to help spread an appreciation for theatre to everyone we come in contact with.
QUALIFICATIONS:
A. Academics
1. 3.0 theatre GPA
2. 2.5 overall GPA
B. Completed at least two semesters of participation in theatre work at the college/university.
C. Participation in a variety of production tasks (acting, directing, playwriting, front-of-house management, technical theatre, dramaturgy, production research, and other appropriate theatrical responsibilities).
The Alpha Psi Omega Point System: A total of 75 points from the following categories (including participation in at least 2 areas of categories 1 through 5) is necessary to be eligible for admission into ALPHA PSI OMEGA.
Category 1. Theatre Performance
Acting (15-30 pts.)
Dance (15-30 pts.)
Singing (15-30 pts.)
Category 2. Theatre Production
Design (20-30 pts.)
Producing (20-30 pts.)
Stage Management (20-30 pts.)
Production Coach/Other (5-25 pts.)
Crew Chiefs (10-20 pts.)
Construction Crews (10-20 pts.)
Running Crews (5-15 pts.)
Front-of-House (1-15 pts.)
Public Relations/Publicity/Marketing (5-20 pts.)
Category 3. Directing
Stage directing (25-40 pts.)
Choreography (20-30 pts.)
Musical directing (20-30 pts.)
Category 4. Dramaturgy: (20-40 pts.)
Category 5. Playwriting:
Play/Book for musical: (10-30 pts.)
Musical Composition for Theatre Performance (10-30 pts.)
Category 6. Special: Officer in Drama/Theatre Organization/Club (5-10 pts.)
Category 7. Special: Membership in Delta Psi Omega (50 pts.)
History of Alpha Psi Omega: In the early twentieth century, interest in the dramatic arts grew tremendously on college and university campuses. By 1920, most colleges had a dramatic organization staging plays annually for the campus and the community at large. Also around this time, little theatre productions and dramatic workshops began taking place. This furthered the interest in theatre on campuses everywhere, especially in the western part of the country. At this time, several honorary groups were formed to recognize and reward exemplary student participation in those productions.
In 1921, at Fairmont State College in Fairmont, West Virginia, college theater took root. A faculty director was hired in 1923, and the Masquers were formed. The Masquers were charged with presenting a season of 4 to 5 major productions per year for students and the general public. In 1924, the Masquers began searching for a national honorary organization to join. As there was no truly national organization, Elinor B. Watson, Robert Sloan, and Fairmont faculty director Paul F. Opp researched forming such a national organization.
As a result of their research and work, a proposed national constitution was drawn up, and, on August 12, 1925, the first cast of Alpha Psi Omega members, drawn from the Masquers, was initiated. It was then decided that each chapter was to be called a "cast." Fairmont College became the Alpha Cast. Soon after, Marshall College in Huntington, West Virginia, expressed interest in chartering a cast of Alpha Psi Omega; they founded the Beta Cast. A member from Huntington suggested the name "Playbill" for the national magazine, which was thereafter adopted.
Over the course of the following year, eighteen more casts were founded. When the first national convention was held on December 27-28, 1926, at the Palmer House in Chicago, twenty casts had been chartered. These national conventions, also known as Grand Rehearsals, are now held once every 5 years.
Throughout the country, Alpha Psi Omega has sponsored the formation of theatre honor societies in high schools and junior colleges, with the aim of encouraging dramatic production at every step in a person's academic career. In 1929, after significant interest on the junior college level, Delta Psi Omega was formed.
In 1936, at the Alpha Psi Omega Grand Rehearsal, Delta Psi Omega was officially recognized as the junior college division of Alpha Psi Omega. Today, there are over 350 Delta Psi Omega casts.
Alpha Psi Omega has enjoyed continuous national growth and, with over 550 casts, is the largest national honor society in America. Membership in Alpha Psi Omega is only granted to fully accredited institutions with a four-year curriculum in theatre and drama leading to a degree.
The business of Alpha and Delta Psi Omega is supervised by National Officers. Such names as Paul Opp, Yetta Mitchell, Donald Garner, and Jerry Henderson are familiar to long-time cast members as officers in earlier years. Current officers are Teresa Choate as President, Frankie Day as Vice President, and Bret Jones as Business Manager and Editor of "Playbill."
APO Events
Meetings: All weekly meetings take place in the Black Box Theatre unless otherwise noted. See an officer for times and details.
Inductions: Inductions are held at the beginning of every semester as necessary. Requirements to join Alpha Psi Omega are listed above under Qualifications.
The Venue: The Venue is a type of “open-mic night” where actors, singers, poets, dancers, artists, and musicians have an opportunity to perform for an audience interested in a variety of talent. Snacks and drinks are provided. If you would like the opportunity to share your talent, a sign-up sheet is available outside of the cafeteria.
Miss ETBU Nominee: Every spring, Alpha Psi Omega nominates a female student for participation in ETBU's annual Miss ETBU Pageant. This program includes numerous female students from other organizations and allows them to represent these organizations in an evening of talent, intellect, and fun.
24-Hour Theatre Slam: When time permits, Alpha Psi Omega will host a 24-Hour Theater Slam. The 24-Hour Theatre Slam is an opportunity for local high school/junior college students to join with the students of East Texas Baptist University to produce a new play in 24 hours. The participants will be split up into two teams and each team will create their show around a central idea. At the end of the 24 hour period, the two groups will each present their pieces before a live audience and a panel of judges.
Awards Banquet: Alpha Psi Omega hosts an awards banquet at the end of the academic year to honor all students involved in the year's productions.