The most expensive event Carolina Productions is bringing to campus this semester is the annual Campus MovieFest, in which students are provided with all of the equipment to produce a movie in one week. At the end of the week, the movies are shown in the Russell House Theater.
Rachel Scola, Carolina Productions president, said that the event is a must-have despite the $15,500 price tag because it is “really unique.” She also said the event appeals to all types of students.
The main upcoming attraction for music lovers on campus is the four-part music series, a completely new event on campus. The concert series will take place several times in April, two during lunch hours and two during dinner hours.
Judah & the Lion will kick off the series for $4,400, and Scola imagines students sitting out on the patio and enjoying the live music.
“I like the opportunity of having four different times to go and see and experience it. You can eat your lunch and listen,” Scola said. “It’s kind of like multi-tasking in a way, you don’t have to go and give your entire night to that event.”
Another unique event is the Improvised Shakespeare Co. For $6,500, they will improvise in Shakespearian language.
The first speaker, which Scola called a “good way to kick off the semester,” is Scott Dikkers, who helped found The Onion. He will be speaking about his experiences for $8,500.
Another Carolina Productions featured speaker is Pete Davidson. He is the youngest cast member of Saturday Night Live, and recently turned 21. Carolina Productions will be paying him $10,000 to come.
If you’re hoping for more traditional events, you won’t be disappointed. Dueling DJs will be coming for $4,500, and Matthew Broussard will be hosting the Comedy Competition for $2,100.
Carolina Productions will also be partnering for Birdcage and Carolina Be-You-tiful again.
Sonya Renee Taylor, a poet who focuses on themes about loving your body and other body conscious topics, will be coming for $5,000, although Carolina Productions will only be paying for $3,000 of the total cost. Alyssa Edwards of the drag world will be coming to Birdcage for $2,750.
Scola said a main focus for this semester is providing students with more time options as well as more opportunities for different types of students.
“We’re exploring trying to reach the entire campus community, since that’s our purpose,” Scola said. “I hope that this semester offers an array of different experiences for students, especially with two student competitions (comedy and USC Idol), a couple co-sponsorships we’re continuing and this new idea of music series.”
But Scola said that Carolina Productions still has “some tricks up [its] sleeves.”
“By reserving some of our funds, we can still bring additional events to campus,” she said. “We still have a pretty full calendar, but there is always time for new opportunities if they arise.”