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win big
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Our photographers opinions on Tyler, The Creator’s “Chromakopia”
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” on community and shows past
CWU Cross Country athletes, Correa
Rodriguez,
NLINE EXCLUSIVES
LETTER from the EDITOR
Hey Wildcats,
First off, I want to express how proud I am of my staff for placing third at the best of show competition in New Orleans this past week. It is always an honor to go to the National Media Convention, and this quarter was no different. I’d like to thank the judges for seeing the blood, sweat and tears we pour into this paper each week, as well as the school for giving us the opportunity to attend in the first place.
Second, I hope you all exercised your right to vote this week. Regardless of how you feel about the end-result (Which is not final final at the time of me writing this, but it seems like we know), our right to vote is one of the key freedoms we have as Americans, and I hope you made your voice heard. Thank you as well to the folk at 88.1 ‘the Burg for inviting me to speak at their election watch-party in the SURC pit.
Lastly, my love goes out to all of my friends, colleagues and peers who feel this election will impact their livelihoods. My heart hurts for you all.
Inside this week’s issue lies the heart and soul of my team. On a night like tonight, and in an issue like this one, I feel it is important more than ever to make sure the incredibly diverse and amazing talent behind the pages is highlighted. Thank you
STAFF
to all of my editors and Kam for their work on our election spread. It wouldn’t have been possible without any of you. And thank you to my designers, without whom this wouldn’t be possible at all.
Beyond our election coverage, we have three incredible sports pieces written this week. One detailing Wildcats excelling on the cross-country track, another on the pay-toplay troubles of USA soccer and a last one showcasing the heroics of Tanner Volk on the football team.
We also profiled the cast and crew of the always exciting shadowcast of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” which will be put on this Saturday. Will you be going? I know I will be.
And in our opinion section, our two photographers, Brandon and Trent, wrote about what may be our staff’s collective album of the year, “CHROMAKOPIA.”
I hope you enjoy all of the pieces we have written this week. We truly left it all on the court.
Isaac
(Photo by Brandon Mattesich)
THE Observer places third in Best of Show, PULSE places fourth
CWU Student Media travels to New Orleans for National Media Convention
Isaac Hinson Editor-in-chief
We love the first amendment.” Hundreds of student journalists shouted in unison at the beginning of the final awards ceremony that took place at the Fall 2024 College Media Association National Media Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana on Nov. 2, the final day of the convention.
“I felt a lot of emotion when we all said we loved the first amendment together at the awards ceremony,” Z Morris, lead graphic designer of The Observer, said. “I feel like I’m so blessed to be a part of the press during this time.”
Six members of The Observer and one member of PULSE Magazine were sent to New Orleans last week to learn, showcase and compete amongst the nation’s other student journalists. In the Best of Show showcase, The Observer placed third for a newspaper on a fouryear campus of 15,000 or fewer, and PULSE Magazine placed fourth for a feature magazine on a four-year campus.
Beyond the conference, the members of Observer and PULSE also got to experience the city of New Orleans. The hotel was right off of Canal Street and Bourbon Street, providing the optimal location to experience the heart of the city.
The Conference
“My biggest takeaway from the conference is that I really want to look and get more inspiration from other student media and other student papers,” Astor Powell-Pederson, news editor for The Observer, said. “I really want to take some time and look at some of the winners from those competitions.”
One of the most important impacts of attending the conferences is coming back with added drive and motivation to expand our journalism pallets, and getting out of our comfort zones.
“I would really like to get out and do more community based journalism, not just the stuff that the President [of CWU] sends out emails about,” Powell-Pederson said. “I really want to get more on the ground and do investigative, real-time journalism.”
Lee Beck, copy desk lead and scene editor of The Observer, echoed those statements and stressed the importance of student journalists in today’s political climate.
“I think that right now it’s incredibly important that there are people out there looking for news, and people out there who want the truth and believe in facts and believe in evidence,” Beck said. “It was so inspiring to talk to people who had been searching for that their entire lives, who had been digging for the truth and didn’t want to let that go when there was backlash on finding the truth.”
The Award
“It makes me so happy,” Z Morris, lead graphic designer of The Observer said. “I’m lead graphic designer in a paper that won third nationally in our category, that personally means a lot to me. I’m ecstatic that I get to work in an environment that promotes creativity as well as integrity in our work.”
The Observer also placed third best in show at the 2024 spring CMA conference in La Jolla, California. Placing third two times in a row is extremely affirming for the staff, and they feel good being recognized by professionals in their field.
“I think proud is the word of the day,” Beck said. “We all see the work that goes into this paper day in and day out. Everyday we’re thinking about The Observer. My roommates can attest, they’re like ‘Everyday Lee’s just thinking about Observer, Observer, Observer.’ So it’s just really incredible to see all that hard work pay off.”
The Observer’s sister publication PULSE Magazine also received recognition at the awards ceremony, placing fourth in best of show for a feature magazine on a four-year campus.
“I’m incredibly proud of both us and the PULSE staff for showing what we’re made of, and showing that we are student journalists that are proud to be student journalists,” Beck said.
“So happy that PULSE got fourth,” Morris said. “Proud of the designs that come out of that thing, it has a lot of people that I work with on it and it’s really cool to see them shine.”
The City
“It was amazing in New Orleans,” Powell-Pederson said. “It felt like being pulled out of my actual life for a TV episode special.”
With the JW Marriot being right on Canal Street, and right off of Bourbon Street, it provided the students a prime location to get out and explore New Orleans. Being on Bourbon Street on Halloween, visiting Jackson Square, the Mississippi River, the French Quarter, the Cathedral and attending a New Orleans Pelicans game and a Lil Wayne concert at Smoothie King Arena were all highlights for the members of student media.
“I really loved seeing the Mississippi River,” Beck said. “I’m a huge water person, and there was just something that was so relaxing and so beautiful about sitting by the water and just watching it. It was so vast.”
This wasn’t the first time some had been able to visit the Bayou. Morris had been to New Orleans before, and enjoyed returning to the state.
“I’ve had the fortune to go to New Orleans before, and I was even more fortunate to go with my friends a second time,” they said. “I think that if I were to go back with the same people, I would love to do a good food tour of the city where we just go and try tons of stuff.”
The Observer staff accepting their award. (Photo courtesy of Associated Collegiate Press)
The Observer’s Best of Show Award. (Photo by Isaac Hinson)
A man playing traditional New Orleanian music. (Photo by Brandon Mattesich)
A statue at Jackson Park. (Photo by Brandon Mattesich)
A skeleton taking a smoke break. (Photo by Brandon Mattesich)
CORREA AND RODRIGUEZ SEE MAJOR SUCCESS AT
GNAC CROSS COUNTRY MEET
Maggie McBroom Staff Reporter
Fifth year senior Johan Correa and sophomore Ramon Rodriguez came up big at the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship cross country meet on Saturday, Oct. 26. When pitted against the best runners in the GNAC, Correa placed second and Rodriguez placed third.
Both runners ran at a blistering pace. Correa finished the eight kilometer race in 24 minutes and 29.5 seconds. This comes out to an average of about four minutes and 55 seconds per mile. Rodriguez was not far behind clocking in at 24 minutes and 32.9 seconds, giving him an average of four minutes and 56.3 seconds per mile. Despite placing so high and leading their team to a fifth place result in the GNAC Championship, neither runner was satisfied with their result. Correa expressed disappointment with his placement, as his goal was to come in first place. Rodriguez said that his result was “Good, but I’m not satisfied,” Rodriguez said. “I need to do better.”
This winning mentality is something that both runners have brought into their training every single day. Both Correa and Rodriguez emphasized the importance of discipline in their everyday training.
Although races are run individually, cross country is still a team sport. Correa emphasized the importance of teamwork in training. The men’s cross country team regularly does workouts that require leadership and teamwork from each member. “When someone has to step up they are ready to do so,” Correa said.
OPINION:
Maggie McBroom Columnist
TWhile race day anxiety plagues the nerves of many cross country athletes, Correa and Rodriguez both felt confident while stepping up to the starting line. On race day nerves, Rodriguez said, “No, the work has been done and race day is to show what we have been working on,”
Each athlete’s ability to fall back on their training and consistency was a big part of their success on race day. However it can be difficult for cross country runners to balance their training with injury prevention since their volume and intensity is so high all year long. Correa says that this is the hardest part of being a cross country athlete.
Both Correa and Rodriguez have put together a number of impressive performances so far this season. Correa placed top ten in every race that he ran this year, even while racing against athletes from Division I cross country powerhouses like University of Portland and the nationally ranked #33 UC Irvine.
Rodriguez placed first at the PLU Invitational on Sep. 21, earning him GNAC men’s cross country runner of the week. This race was Rodrigiez’s favorite moment of the cross country regular season. Rodriguez also earned GNAC cross country newcomer of the year.
Stay tuned for the NCAA Regional meet where both Correa and Rodriguez will compete on Nov. 9 in Billings, Montana. Correa placed first in the region race last year, while Rodriguez will make his regional debut.
PAY-TO-PLAY GIVES UNITED STATES SOCCER NO CHANCE AT SUCCESS
he price of playing a high level of soccer in the United States is extremely high, and can cost tens of thousands of dollars per year. This is very detrimental to the development of young players, as it completely bars people who are not incredibly wealthy from playing a high level of soccer. As a result, the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) suffers.
One common youth soccer pathway in the United States is a club soccer system called ECNL, or Elite Clubs National League. This pathway can easily cost $10,000 per year or more depending on what tournaments the club chooses to enter. The club registration fee is $2,995 not including the cost for uniforms, sweatpants and sweatshirts, bags, cleats and shin guards which can add on another $800. Furthermore, each member’s family is expected to cover the cost of traveling to tournaments, of which there are at least two per year in most high level clubs. This includes the cost of flights and hotels to costly destinations such as Orlando, Fla., San Diego, Calif., and Honolulu, Hawaii. For example, a flight to Honolulu, a rental car and boarding at a hotel for eight days straight at about $500 per night can easily add
up to $5,000 or more just for one tournament.
While youth soccer clubs in the United States often have fundraisers in place to help families cover these costs and fund travel expenses, these only contribute a drop in the bucket compared to the expenses that they need to cover.
Unsurprisingly, the United States men’s national team historically has not seen success on the international stage. The farthest they have ever progressed in the world cup is third place, which they earned in 1930. They again qualified in 1934 and 1950, but did not return until 1990.
Since 1990, the closest the USMNT has gotten to the World Cup trophy is when they placed 8th out of 32 teams. They even missed qualification in 2018.
The amount of talented players that the USMNT has missed out on because they cannot afford soccer is hard to quantify. However, since the United States has such a large population compared to other countries that see lots of international success, there have to be numerous talented players that have not had the privilege of training at a high level.
In contrast, the Netherlands is an international soccer powerhouse. While they are yet to win a World Cup title, they have been run-
ners up three times and have reached or passed the round of 16 every time they have qualified. When compared to the United States, this is not bad for a country with almost 1-19th of the population.
Unsurprisingly, their youth soccer systems are much different, as families in the Netherlands have to pay on average 149 euros for their children to receive a high level of coaching. This goes for many top European soccer nations as well.
Top tier professional clubs often have youth academies that they invest their revenue back into. This creates a culture of genuinely intention to develop good soccer players. In contrast, the youth soccer system in the United States enables clubs to be run like a business, aiming to merely keep customers.
Ramon Rodriguez holding tennis shoes.
(Photo courtesy of Joe Pumphrey)
A BALL HAWK AMONG WILDCATS
TANNER VOLK’S IMPACT
ON AND OFF THE FIELD
Central Washington University has one of the best defenses in the Lone Star Conference (LSC), boasting the second lowest points allowed with 121 points through nine games, in part due to senior defensive back Tanner Volk. The 6’1, 189 lbs safety has been a monster since joining the team in 2021. Putting in the work through his tenure at CWU, Volk has turned into an outstanding player and leader for the team, getting better every year.
Starting in 2021, Volk has been himself both mentally and physically through the years. “He’s certainly gotten bigger and stronger,” Chris Fisk, CWU head coach, said. “As anything in life, with age comes wisdom, and his football IQ has just gone off the charts since his freshman year.”
Fisk then went on to state that Volk had gone through a number of changes, specifying Volk’s confidence level as one and getting bigger and stronger. Between Volk’s junior and senior year, he went from 175 lbs to 189 lbs.
Senior running back Tyler Flanagan thought back to the differences between freshman year Volk and senior year Volk. “When he first got here, he wasn’t as big as he is now,” Flanagan said. “So he’s definitely got a lot bigger, stronger and faster.
The running back also praised the defensive captain’s development, recalling their time together in physical rehab.
“Me and him were in the training room doing our rehab together, and that dude came back better than before,” Flanagan said. “The kid just works his tail off every day.” Flanagan also emphasized Volk’s on the field abilities, calling him a “real physical tackler,” “fast from sideline to sideline,” and that opposing offenses have to know where he is at all times or pay the price.
Coach Fisk expressed Volk’s qualities off the field as a leader and heartbeat of the team. “He’s certainly the pulse of the team emotionally,” Fisk said. “I think he does a great job verbally with the team. The kids look up to him and have a lot of respect for not only the work ethic that he has to prepare for games, to prepare his body in the offseason, get himself ready to play football, but I think they
have a tremendous amount of respect for the person he is.”
The coach for the CWU football team pointed out his defensive back’s ability to make relationships with not only the entire team, but the coaching staff, training staff and administration too.
Volk may be a dangerous weapon on the defense but he’s also a big pillar for the offense. “He gives [the offense] a lot of momentum, because he makes spectacular plays,” Flanagan said. “Sometimes when games are dead offensively, he gets an interception and flips the momentum for us. I would definitely say he sparks us a lot.” Flanagan referenced homecoming weekend where Volk had three interceptions, each one setting the offense up in great field position. Those three interceptions tied a CWU record for interceptions in a single game.
The improvements and leadership qualities Volk made through the years shows in his game day tape and stats. In his first year with the Wildcats, Volk finished fourth in total tackles and second in interceptions for the team.
During Volk’s sophomore season, the star safety showed his improvement, finishing third in tackles on the football team with 69 and second in interceptions, solo tackles, pass breakups and fumble recoveries. He also earned First Team Defense All-LSC in 2022.
Last year, Volk blew up on the scene tying CWU’s record for most interceptions in a season with 13. The star safety also finished the 2023 season with 124 total tackles, which is third in CWU single season history. Volk capped off his Junior year leading the team in five different stats- solo tackles, assisted tackles, total tackles, pass break ups and interceptions.
As a senior, Volk currently stands third in the LSC this season for interceptions with four and 15th in total tackles with 50.
Last year, Volk won a plethora of awards for his outstanding play, such as LSC Defensive Player of the Year, the Don Hansen National Defensive Player of the Year, and First Team All-LSC. Volk is also the first ever Wildcat to win the Cliff Harris Award. This year, Volk has already earned himself LSC Defensive Player of the Week for his three interception performance during the CWU homecoming game.
Volk and the Wildcats are currently third in the LSC with six wins and three losses after a heartbreaking loss on Nov. 2 to Angelo State University, losing by one on a missed extra point with 34 seconds left in the game. The Wildcats return home for their last two games of the season against Sul Ross State University on Nov. 9 and Western Oregon University on Nov. 16, the latter half CWU has beaten in ten of their last 12 match ups. Both Flanagan and Coach Fisk have expressed hope for massive crowds for these crucial final two games.
Parker Wood Staff Reporter
Tanner Volk counting up the interceptions. (Photo courtesy of Nevaeh Capetillo)
Volk at Media Day. (Photo courtesy of Joe Pumphrey)
THE ELECTION OF Capturing student thoughts on the tense
Isaac Hinson Editor-in-chief
Contributions from Lee Beck, Astor Powell-Pederson, Jackson Roberts & Kam Schindewolf-Broyles
This piece was written on Election Day, Nov. 5. The exact final results of the Presidential election are not known. This piece details student thoughts, reactions and concerns, all recorded on Election Day.
Just past 11 p.m. on Election day, Former President Donald Trump claimed victory on stage at Mar-a-Lago with his wife Melania, his running mate JD Vance, and his sons Baron and Don Jr.
“This will truly be the golden age of America,” Trump said as he thanked his voters, claiming his victory to be the “Greatest political movement of all time.”
After coming off a debate appearance in July that had President Joe Biden polling six points below former President Donald Trump – the 2024 presidential election seemed to be over already. Fast-forward to today – election day –and Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris led the morning, leading the national polls by 1.2% according to 270towin.com.
Trump, running for the third time in eight years, hopped out to an early lead in swing states Georgia, briefly polled-as-blue Iowa, North Carolina and Ohio. Following his twohour-plus final rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Nov. 4 – where he has ended all three of his campaigns – a Trump win at 11 p.m. on election night seems like a reality.
However, the race is still up for grabs in key swing states Arizona, Nevada, Michigan and Pennsylvania. The 2020 election between current President Joe Biden and Former President Donald Trump was not called until four days after Election Day on Saturday, Nov. 7.
At 11:07 p.m. on election day, and throughout the night, this was the pulse of the Central Washington University body.
This election for women
“[I’m] absolutely terrified for my kiddo’s future, my own aside,” – Instagram user.
“The most pressing issue for me was women’s bodies, their rights mainly,” Alexander Reid-Whitefoot, freshman evolutionary biology and ecology major, said. “I have two younger sisters and my mom.”
Of the issues at hand, women’s rights have been atop the mind of many voters. On a poll run by The Observer, 80% of voters said human rights were the issue most important to them on election day (Education followed in second with 9%, trailed by the economy and immigration with 4% and 3% respectively).
“I’m definitely the most concerned about reproductive health because as a black woman, unfortunately we are considered the lowest of the low. And because I have the right to vote, it’s my time to use it.” First year political science student Nuhamin Regassa said.
This sentiment is echoed not only by students at Central, but older women around Kittitas County who remember the power that voting has held for women in the past.
“When I first started voting … women couldn’t have their own bank account, couldn’t get a mortgage, couldn’t get a checking account without their husband’s signature,” Charli Sorenson, president of the League of Women’s Voters of Kittitas County, said. “All of that has changed due to voting. So I really hope that this election strengthens our democracy and encourages younger generations to be more involved in elections, because they’re the ones that have to live with the results. So it’s better to have your hand in the game than just to be sitting on the outside.”
“I’ve been stabbed and they haven’t taken out the knife”
-Instagram User
In a state like Texas, which has altered its abortion laws following the appeal of Roe v. Wade, the maternal mortality rate rose by 56% percent from 2019 to 2022. Women, like Sorenson, feel that they have lost autonomy over their own body and would hope to regain it under a Harris presidency, as she has said one of her top priorities in office would be to “Stop this pain” and put Roe v. Wade back in place.
“I think pretty clearly it means we would hopefully get our own agency back and be able to control what we do with our own bodies,” Sorenson said about what a Harris win would mean for women. “[I] sincerely hope that Harris would support a national abortion access. It’s really interesting, because I spent 20 years in medicine, and people don’t understand that the term abortion is a medical term, and it means any failed pregnancy. It could be a miscarriage, a spontaneous abortion. That’s what a miscarriage is. It could be an abortion because of a fetal demise, but it’s not just for some reason. People on the extreme right seem to think abortion is a term for birth control, when by large percentage, that’s not how it’s used by any women.”
This election for the LGBTQ+ community
“I’m scared to get my rights stripped away and I just became an adult.” – Instagram user.
Donald Trump has spent over 10 million dollars on anti-transgender ads in battleground states, according to CBSNews. One that has consistently aired during NFL games ends with the slogan “Kamala is for they/them, Trump is for you.” The Trump campaign website states that it will keep
men out of women’s sports and prevent tax-payer dollars from funding sex-change operations.
The Harris campaign website had no explicit policy in regards to transgender rights before election day, but has said in the past that the fight for equal rights is “patriotic” and her running mate, Tim Walz, has been historically proLGBTQ+.
“I am a non-binary lesbian. I am fully in the LGBTQ comunity, and I would like to have rights in the next four years…” Kaybe Write, freshman graphic design major, said. “If Trump wins, my family is like, ‘We might need to leave the country.’” This is something that you would think no one would have to deal with, instead it has to be a constant thought running through someone’s head depending on tonight’s outcome.
This elections impact on the genocide in Gaza
“Regardless of the outcome we need to speak out against genocide,” – Instagram user.
“The genocide going on in Gaza that’s been going on for such a long time now,” Write said. “I just remember seeing… all the social media covering a lot of it, especially over on Tik Tok. I would watch all of those and just be horrified. I really want it to end over there.”
Both the Trump and Harris campaigns were consistently in support of Israel throughout this election season, and defended the U.S.’ continued financial and militarized reinforcement of Israel.
Trump’s stance on the conflict has been unwavering. In an interview with the “Hugh Hewitt Show” on April 4 of this year, Trump said Israel has to “Finish what they started, and they’ve got to finish it fast.” During a speech in Washington DC at an anti-semitism event on Sept. 19, Trump also claimed that “My promise to Jewish Americans is this: With your vote, I will be your defender, your protector, and I will be the best friend Jewish Americans have ever had in the White House.” according to ABC News.
Harris has shown support for Israel in the past, however she seems to have had a fluctuating stance. According to NPR, in the same speech Harris said she “Will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself, and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself.” Continuing that statement with “What has happened in Gaza in the past 10 months is devastating. So many innocent lives lost. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking.”
In her last rally in Michigan, Harris also claimed “As president, I will do everything in my power to end the war in Gaza.”
What does a Trump presidency mean for the economy, immigration and more
“Feels like 2016 all over again,” – Instagram user.
OF YOUR LIVES
tense atmosphere of election night
With the possibility of a second Trump presidency appearing to be a reality, people with issues like the economy and immigration at the top of their minds are vindicated. On The Observer’s instagram survey polling topics of interest, the two topics combined for 6% of the vote.
“There wasn’t really anything that determined how I voted, but I think gas prices played a small part,” Peter Gard, third year English major, said. “And inflation and Trump’s sayings about how he’s going to decrease inflation. I haven’t really gotten any source for it. So I’m kind of coming off as a little biased here.”
“I definitely believe in secure borders right now,” Gus Kolibas, first year agricultural business major, said. “Whether you’re Democrat or Republican, I think we could both agree that we do not have a secure border. We have even seen Texas farmers putting up barricades along the border, along the rivers that go through there, and our government has gone there and lifted those borders. So we have illegals coming here. They are raping children and killing people. I know the construction of the wall was started, and then it was ended, and we have seen mass amounts of illegal aliens coming across the border, which is a major issue.”
Kolibas also spoke about his worry in regards to his rights to own a gun. Despite Harris’ and Walz’s personal ownership of firearms, his wor-
ries persisted.
“Talking about guns like being able to own a gun at 18, I want to keep it that way,” Kolibas said. “We know that [Harris] and Walz are both gun owners, but what they’ve talked about in the past with guns makes me worried I am going to lose my rights to own one. I believe that if someone comes into my house, then I have a right to defend my family.”
“I’m very pro-gun, I think people should have the right to bear arms,” Winston Block, freshman paramedicine major, said. “On the same note, I’m also pro-abortion because I think in the same line as gun rights, I don’t think the government gets to dictate what we get to do with our bodies, and what kind of weapons we get to own.”
What’s next
“I’ve been stabbed and they haven’t taken out the knife,” – Instagram user.
The image of the Jan. 6 insurrection is still burned into the minds of students on campus. Following that, this election brings up questions of their own safety. Four students on a poll posted by The Observer on Instagram said that they were “Terrified.” Five said that they were “Scared.”
Based on instagram polls ran on election day via @cwuobserver on instagram
Did you vote on election
or
For some students, this election brings up questions of their own safety. “Honestly, I do not [feel safe in the coming days].” Nuhamin Regassa, freshman political science student, said. “I don’t only because we saw what happened on January sixth. I’m afraid that, maybe not on campus, but on a national scale, something like that could happen again.”
Many students foresee chaos in the coming days, regardless of the results of the election. “While we’re waiting for the result of this election, brace yourself,” Block said. “It’s not going to be pretty. We live in a time where political unrest has become increasingly the norm.”
Block has hesitations no matter the outcome. “I’m not feeling hopeful either way,” Block said. “All the candidates are backed by the same special interest groups and lobbyists. And the same people who will be running the government today are going to be running the government tomorrow, regardless of who wins.”
“Tonight is definitely going to keep me up,” Regassa said. “The state of our country is what we should really be focusing on, especially if we’re trying to better our future. I am hopeful people will decide for the greater good.”
did you cast your vote for?
Photo by Brandon Mattesich
‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ fosters community and legacy at cwu
Lee Beck Scene Editor
Neo Klosterman, senior theatre performance major and director of this year’s annual shadowcast of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” wanted this performance to reflect the resistance involved in the act of queer joy, the movie being an allegory for queer life in the 70s when it premiered.
With the uncertainty of our current political climate, and the presidential election happening just four days before this year’s performance, Klosterman felt “A lot of uncertainty… We don’t know what it’s [the outcome of the election’s] gonna be or how it’s gonna be received.”
They continued on to note the gravity this show holds, however. “But that’s why it’s so important that we display and have a moment of levity,” Klosterman said. “A moment of specifically underrepresented peoples expressing joy, and having and allowing a space for the whole university… to share in that.” Marcos Alba-Estrada, sophomore musical theatre and entertainment technology major, and stage manager for this shadowcast of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” held similar sentiments.
“Depending on how [the election] goes, [it] could totally alter how impactful this could be for people,” Alba-Estrada said. “Depending on who wins it could be looking at rejoicing. It could be looking at the ending of Rocky… and saying ‘Wow, is this what’s gonna happen to us for the next four years?’”
The movie is turning 49 this year, and the stage production, “The Rocky Horror Show,” is turning 51. Because of the history behind the narrative, the cast and crew spoke heavily on the legacy the show leaves. “If we cast Rocky the same way, it’s not as revolutionary as it used to be,” Klosterman said. “So we’ve been talking about how can we continue a legacy and the idea of what Rocky was intended to be… specifically for the election it’s going to be really interesting.”
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” isn’t just an allegory for queer life, however. Bailey Frasi -
er, sophomore musical theatre major and Janet in this production, mentions the importance of her character’s role in exploring the sexuality of womanhood. “I think it’s so wonderful to see a woman get put into such an open and weird experience,” Frasier said. “And getting to discover her sexuality and the fluidity of that.”
Frasier noted that women are often made to feel ashamed about their sexuality and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” explores that and shows Janet, who is timid and shy throughout the former half of the movie, coming to understand herself. “I think women, and queer folks especially, are so shamed about sexuality and just sex in general,” Frasier said.
The show holds a grand message of community against the odds, and the CWU community took that to heart. “I think, especially in a time like now, making that community where people are allowed to express themselves, and people are allowed to have fun, and just be openly queer and strange and funky,” Frasier said. “It’s just so cool, and it’s really beautiful.”
The show also holds many opportunities for growth within the cast and crew. Jordin Smith, sophomore film production major and this production’s FrankN-Furter, spoke on her growth from an ensemble member to a main character. “The growth has been insane,” Smith said. “Now I’m having a blast in a more advanced way, and it’s so fun and so campy that Bailey [Frasier]’s playing Janet. We were both on the ensemble last year and we both were not expecting this at all.”
Smith continued to note that she’d like to grow more in her involvement with CWU’s “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” productions. “I would really really like to get into intimacy coordinating,” Smith said. “Next year I’m really thinking about something on the team side.” Frasier also noted her growth between this year’s production and last year’s.
“I was a little scared,” Frasier said. “Because I’ve just never thought I would be given that opportunity [to play Janet], and it was really special and I was really excited. And then I started finding out more people who got in and it was just so exciting that I got to work with people I was already friends with and people who I didn’t know.”
The central theme of community throughout the show was evident in the cast and crew’s comments on their fellow production members. Livi Buck, senior musical theatre major and choreographer for this show, took the time to shout out her fellow dance instructor, assistant choreographer, Brigid Garrett.
“She was a really great collaborator and a good teacher,” Buck said. “The cast really picked up what she was teaching them, and she’s really good at making dances look clean.”
The choreography of the show is integral to it’s success. According to Buck, she and Garrett would have days where they would spend “Six hours in the studio just finishing most of the choreography in one day,” Buck said. But, according to Buck, the cast has been doing a stellar job of keeping pace with the quick timing of the show.
“This weekend… it was our last rehearsal,” Buck said. “We did a run-through and probably ten minutes in I look at Neo [Klosterman] and I was like ‘They’re so good. Like, I’m gonna cry.’” Buck continued this sentiment praising the cast. “We chose them, and they worked so hard,” Buck said. “Every day there’s been moments with the cast of like ‘Oh my gosh. I love you guys so much.”
Bailey Frasier (left) and Cesar Trejo (right) playing Janet and Brad. (Photo courtesy of CWU Hype)
An ensemble of actors from ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show.’ (Photo courtesy of CWU Hype)
Brandon’s Reviews:
Rah Tah Tah: “The biggest out the city after Kenny, that’s a fact now,” could not be more true. This track is bold, it’s in your face and it’s unapologetic. Tyler wants you to know who he is and what he’s about, and he lays it out here in its entirety. From its aggressive production to its even more serious delivery, this whole track is reminiscent of some of Tyler’s older work while still holding true to the Chromakopia style. It’s definitely a standout for me, and has a completely different tone than most of the rest of the album.
Darling, I: Tyler, The Creator’s struggles with his sexuality and relationships have long been a topic of his work, and this track is no different. For a long time at this point Tyler has expressed his struggles with commitment, and this song just reinforces that. He wants love, he wants a life but he can’t let himself have it. It’s a moving song and the background vocals by Teezo Touchdown elevate it to new levels.
Sticky: This is my personal favorite off the project just because it’s so fun to listen to. GloRilla and Tyler is not the collab I expected, or the one I needed, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t happy to hear it. The progression of this song is masterful, and the way that the brass doesn’t even come in until Lil Wayne’s verse is a subtle bit of craftsmanship that I think is so often overlooked when doing big feature songs like this one. Highly recommend this track, it’s got infinite replayability.
Like Him: I love this track for the production alone. Every line of synth paints this picture in your head that already tells you everything you need to know about this story without even needing to hear the words. But when you do
you. It’s a thought provoking story of a boy becoming someone he doesn’t even know, being compared to a father that he can’t see. This is a highlight for so many reasons, and it’s one I think people will revisit often.
Trent’s Reviews:
St Chroma: The anthem of burning passion, “St. Chroma,” is the album’s powerful opening chant that asks if you can feel the light within yourself. If you can feel the fire driving you toward greatness. “Don’t you ever stop bein’ who you are and dimming your light for none of these motherfuckers[...]” Chromakopia finds Tyler heeding his mother’s words for better and worse as he grapples with life at 30
Noid: The consequence of a star that shines so bright is that everyone wants to look, some even hope to see it fall. And yet, with Noid’s sporadic structure, prominent guitar riffs and fierce lyrics, Tyler makes it clear he’s not the kind of star who grants wishes, and he’s not burning out anytime soon.
Judge Judy: The most disarming song on the album, what starts as a sexual exploration of Tyler’s relationship with a woman he calls “Judy” takes a tragic turn, “[s]he wrote me a letter[.]” From there, we learn of Judy’s terminal illness, and how she hopes he’ll live life as his truest self, without self-judgements, a sentiment he lives by in the later tracks.
Thought I Was Dead: Chromakopia’s war cry, “Thought I Was Dead,” is Tyler’s most audacious and unapologetic. Now having matured and evolved from the younger mindset that shaped his controversial past, he refuses to be ‘killed’ over old tweets, t-shirts and lyrics, no matter who or what tries to bring him down.
Balloon: The hypnotic penultimate track, “Balloon,” provides some much-needed levity after the emotional catharsis of “Like Him.”
truest version of himself who still has questions, but lives without regret. However, it’s Doechii’s verse that recaptures the ferocity from earlier tracks and elevates it to the highest peak, making this my personal favorite from Chromakopia.
Overall:
Chromakopia is Tyler at his most stylistical ly free, a personal expression that not only maintains its mainstream appeal but catapults Tyler’s popularity to new heights, going as far as to dethrone Taylor Swift’s No. 1 spot on the Global Spotify Top Art ists chart after 699 days as the top artist.
Many songs on this album reveal far more than what I would consider typ ical for a musician of his talent level.
Each song offers a unique peek into his life and his views on the world on such a deeply introspective level.
Chromokopia seamlessly blends all of Tyler’s fears, desires, pain and joy into one cohesive narrative that leaves his future ambiguous, but full of incredible potential. The production which he also did himself is some of the most pro gressive and intentional I have heard in recent years, and it’s clear that he had not only a strong vision for this album but the ability to execute it as well.
That package deal is rare, and it’s some thing that really only comes once in a gen eration. The ability to not only imagine, but to put that imagination into a song and do it so successfully and at such a large scale is something that at this point only Tyler can do, and we are extremely excited to see what he puts out in the future.
Photos courtesy of Colombia Records
Brandon Mattesich & Trent Meacham
Columnists
WILDCAT WORDS
Design by Z Morris
Aries (March 21 - April 19): Bummerrrrrr… I hate to break it to you Aries but all of your 27 votes didn’t count :/ maybe try again next year! There’s TOTALLY an election then! And maybe then your ballot box won’t be burned this time :)
Taurus (April 20 - May 20): Taurus… you aren’t ready to move on. You’re stuck in 2016 and you forgot that there have now been two whole elections passing by you since then. Take down your 2016 election sign, take off that hat and get off Nancy Pelosi’s desk.
Gemini (May 21 - June 20): Gemini, you’re fir- um.. tired. You don’t want to run for president again. You want to lay down on your gold threaded sheets and call it. You’ve got kids, grandkids and a new side-chick to look after!
Cancer (June 21 - July 22): BACON! BACON AND WIND ENERGY! I’m not entirely sure how they relate, probs the economy or smth, but they’re important and by god you’re going to be involved with both. Draining the swamp? IDK IDK
Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22): You’re hard to intimidate, Leo. But my-my, will they try. Lots of folks will try to tell you “Noooo, Leooo! You can’t vote for Kanye West! He’s not even on the ballot!!” And to them you say “I’ve envisioned and will manifest mechanical bees.”
Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sep. 22): Nothing you do REALLY matters unless you show others. You know, how life works! So, when you go to drop off your vote, make sure to make a HUGGEEE deal about it. Show it to everyone who passes you. Scream out loud “I LOVE VOTING!!”
Libra (Sep. 23 - Oct. 22): I don’t know what’s wrong with you Libras… You think you just fell out of a coconut tree? Hehehehe… You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you, silly! Now, go get on SNL!
Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21): It’s a sensitive time right now, and you feel that so deeply. But, I’m sorry babe. Your political threads on Twitter aren’t getting a lot of engagement, and because of that you just sound crazy.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21): SOOOOO, apparently you didn’t have any “political motivations” with this, but I’m sorry Sag, you can’t just go around the Pacific Northwest blowing up ballot boxes just to get attention. Not super patriotic of you.
Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan.19): There’s some people out there underestimating your abilities, Cap. But little do they know, you have some fearsome tricks up your sleeve. A baby bear in Central Park, and a worm in your brain.
Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb.18): This election was rigged, and you know it! There’s no way that many people voted! There’s only… 1, 2, 3, 334 million people in the U.S. Get out your drums, your furs and your Mike Pence doll and get to the capital! Stat!
Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20): Your attention span is gonna be suppppeerrrr short this week Pisces. But no worries! There’ll be plenty of political commentary on TikTok, and I’m sure Reels – and Shorts if you’re nasty – will have it too. You’ll get the gist.
