By Sadie Davis, Sports Editor
To pull off an event like Tiger Tunes, there is a lot that happens behind the scenes that the public never gets to see. From professors grading papers to preparing spreadsheets for an event or rehearsing for a show, much of the effort that makes this event possible happens away from the spotlight. While audiences see the finished performances, there is a great deal of preparation, coordination and work that goes into making the event happen. For members of OSF, the behind-the-scenes effort is what makes Tiger Tunes worth their while.
The Ouachita student foundation, otherwise known as OSF, is a student-led organization that provides a way for students to lead out and serve others. One major event OSF runs is the competition of shows performed by clubs and organizations on campus called Tiger Tunes.
“I think a big part of why I wanted to serve in OSF is because I really believe in what our motto, ‘Students Helping Students,’ means,” OSF president Brooke Zermatten said. “There is always a bigger purpose behind what we do, and Tiger Tunes is a great example of that. Each year, students work so hard to put on these amazing shows, and the money raised goes back to student scholarships.”
The motto “Students Helping Students” comes to life through Tunes season as OSF raises money for student scholarships through the funds of the show. However, doing so takes a great deal of effort. “During Tiger Tunes, OSF members are helping with everything from ushering and ticket scanning to selling merchandise and making sure things run smoothly throughout the performances,” Zermatten added.
Zermatten’s job starts months before the show begins. Zermatten explained, “my job consists of emails, meetings, encouraging the show directors and being willing to help.” In preparation for the event, OSF Special Events chair Blaise Batson along with her vice chair, Abby Folden, coordinate with the directors of each show. Directors create a storyline, song parodies, props and costumes for their show. Baston’s role is to guide the directors and go over the details of each segment, so that the overall show runs well.
“The bulk of our summer work is ensuring that clubs have followed the five-word-in-a-row rule (every sixth word must be different) and singing the songs to make sure that people with no musical experience, like me, will still be able to hit all of the beats,” Batson mentioned. “When we all come back together in August, we have a touch-base meeting with all of the directors to communicate the upcoming due dates for things like practice schedules, costume receipts and tech sheets. After that, until JPAC rehearsals begin, the main interaction I have with directors is answering texts and calls about all kinds of tune questions. I get up to 10 texts a day from mid-August until Tunes is over.”
There are many unseen jobs fulfilled behind the curtain as OSF prepares to put on the long awaited show and competition. But what makes all this work worth it? For the directors, it might be a winning show. For the participants it might be being able to sing and dance on stage. But for OSF members every part of the preparation makes the result worthwhile.
“When I first considered the job, I remember being hesitant to give up actually doing Tiger Tunes. I grew up watching Tunes and I had so much fun in the two years I participated, but I also knew that this position would combine some of the things I enjoyed the most: leadership, creativity, communication and planning,” Batson said. “There is nothing like watching directors develop a simple theme on a notecard into an amazing show, and hearing the crowd roar while being captivated by the performers on the JPAC stage. Now when people ask me, ‘Are you sad that you had to give up Tunes?’ I tell them, ‘I am Tunes.’ I don’t mean to be prideful, I mean it more like I am fully immersed in all aspects of the show, way more than I was as a participant. I get to root for everyone. I am still happy afterwards because I support all of them equally.”
When you take your seat for Tiger Tunes, remember to cheer not only for the performers on stage, but also for the OSF members behind-the-scenes who make the show possible.