The Student Life Cinema is popular among students because of its free movies (non-students have to pay a $5 admission fee), affordable movie theater snacks inside the theater and at The Grindhouse, and the many films and blockbuster hits that are shown throughout each semester. They are especially known for scoring advanced screenings for major films. In previous years they have screened Your Highness, and Ride Along with meet and greet opportunities with producers and actors Ice Cube, and Danny McBride. They also live up to expectations when it comes to holding events, such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Every year, the SLC hosts this show for Halloween weekend. They provide excitement, entertainment, and joy for students as they pair up with local shadow cast Cheap Thrills to provide both pre-show entertainment and a live performance during the film. This involves engaging with the audience to dance and sing along.
That’s right, a live performance during the film. If you have never seen the movie before, you are advised to watch the film because the live performance gets loud and raunchy, thus making it a little difficult to watch the movie itself. It is a musical comedy film first debuted in 1975 (based on the 1973 musical stage production) and has since become a cult classic hit. It stars Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick (Gerald Grant from Scandal), Richard O’brien, Patricia Quinn, Nell Campbell, Jonathon Adams, Peter Hinwood, and Tim Curry (Nigel Thornberry and the creature IT!).
Once inside the theater, students are given a brown paper bag, which is filled with rubber gloves, party horns, birthday hats, toilet paper, and cards. Before the movie is shown, the organizers and Cheap Thrills invite students to participate in a bunch of sexy games. Some of these games include blowing up condoms, two people showing off their favorite sexual position, best costume contest, and best make out session. Then throughout the movie, they perform the movie itself. It is a live-action show that encourages interaction from the audience.
The best part about the entire event is the costumes. Students are encouraged to dress up for the show, and dress up they do. Many avid fans dress up as their favorite characters, so don’t be surprised to see many Magentas, Dr. Frank-n-Furters, Rockys, Columbias, Brads (***hole), and (Dammit) Janets. Viewers should be advised that there is strong sexual context and language used throughout the night and film. Students beware: when you enter the doors of the SLC, you will be marked. First time viewers are typically marked as “Virgins,” so you can just about tell what pioneers of the show are called.
This year’s show is on Friday the 31st and Saturday November 1st. Doors open at 11 p.m. and the show begins at midnight. Get there early, as it becomes a full house and not everyone will get in. The SLC even opens up the Phantom theatre in order to accommodate everyone. You can RSVP to the event on Facebook via the link: https://www.facebook.com/events/752403994832252/