Hello, my name is Allie Mariotte, and I am the President of Alpha Psi Omega (APO) and the Director of APOs Shadow Cast Viewing of Rocky Horror Picture Show. Alpha Psi Omega is the theatre honors society and philanthropy organization at Appalachian State University.

Initially, we wanted to perform this show in an on-campus event space. After being in line for two venues, we were declined both performance spaces out of fear that the space would be damaged. This fear does not come without reason, as previous students from years ago damaged an on-campus space while doing this event. After trying to reassure the venue coordinators that we would do everything in our power to ensure that the audience and actors respected the space, we were denied access. The realization that we would have to find an off-campus location was hard to hear. Especially as an artist at Appalachian State University, given the events of the current football season.

After football games, App State fans have damaged art installations, art facilities, and other areas around campus. There was no message from the Chancellor on how to handle students' disrespect for the campus environment following these events. It is frustrating to be told that artists can not perform in a space out of fear of damaging a venue. Meanwhile, fans are damaging art around campus. The last thing an artist dreams of doing is disrespecting a venue that allows actors to perform.

The Appalachian Theatre has graciously permitted us to rent their space to perform Rocky on Halloween Night! We are grateful for this opportunity to act in a historic and beautiful venue. And thrilled that the Appalachian Theatre is excited to work with us.

If we could rent a space on campus, it would have been free to us. Since we had to search for other venues outside of campus, there is a rental fee that our club can not pay on its own. So we are reaching out to anyone who supports the arts to help APO produce a show that will bring student theatre/art back to the Boone community.