No day but today

Some of the themes throughout the musical touch on pennilessness, drug abuse, HIV/ AIDS, social tension, and political unrest, among other hardships.

“Rent” marks Van Slyke’s first appearance in a musical. He explained that he turned down an outside, professional role to star in this Pierce production because of the musical’s acclaim.

“The thing with this show in particular that I noticed is that everybody is just so gungho,” Van Slyke said about the cast. “Everybody working on it is in love with the material. Everybody is jumping in headfirst and giving it their all.” clothesline with people's stories and taking back their power and what happened to them is really important to showcase around campus as a huge sign of support.”

Theater major and first-time actor Emelysse Paez plays the role of Mimi Marquez, a flamboyant stripper living with AIDS in the peak of the AIDS epidemic.

Paez said she feels a big level of responsibility when playing the role of a person living with AIDS. She wants to portray the character in the most respectful and accurate way possible.

Conrady Wong spoke about the variety of ways to participate in an event like Denim Day and the importance of creating a safe place for it on campus.

“I really commend students for participating in an event like this,” Conrady Wong said.

“Whether you're a survivor or you know someone that’s a survivor or maybe you know someone