The Producers

After a sub-par semester, USU Productions hopes to make a bigger impression this time around

By Chhun Sun

Last semester was good, but it could have been better for USU Productions. Despite bringing solid acts to the campus, the board of USU Productions believes there is room for improvement. Last semester, they tickled students’ funny bone with comedian Christian Finnegan. They made bodies move with local music acts. And they entertained crowds with movies. But the philosophy is still the same—it could have been better.

USU Productions, a student programming board comprised of about 20 members, strive to produce a fun and safe atmosphere for students. The program is broken into different project committees, including music, comedy, and recreation and leisure.

“There’s more to college than book learning,” program adviser Kristie Godfrey said. “You have to have a good time. Sometimes you don’t have to take life too seriously.”

Godfrey is basing her philosophy on the experience she had at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, where she learned that the best memories with her friends are the ones involving activities.

In her third year as program adviser, Godfrey said the student volunteers not only learn lessons they can take beyond graduation, such as teamwork and communication skills, but they also get to create activities that students can enjoy, such as trips and karaoke contests.

Some student volunteers get to make proposals, take them to the governing board of USU Productions and see if they make the cut. Usually, the proposal consists of bringing an act to the campus or putting on an event.

But putting on an event is not what it seems.

What if things don’t go exactly as planned? Godfrey said there are moments when time is limited and little details need to be addressed by showtime and frustrations can build among the members.

“But they all love it,” Godfrey said. “They all enjoy the camaraderie.”

Just ask Dearley Anara, a junior electronic media major who’s a third-year volunteer for USU Productions. As the music chair, Anara gets to listen and determine which ones she should bring to campus.

At the beginning of each semester, she sits down for two days with a colleague at a conference to listen to 15 to 20 hours of promos, from comedians to magicians to musicians.

But she finds enjoyment in the tedious work.

“The music is the best part,” Anara said. “I get to bring acts here.”

Anara, too, believes last semester could have been better, an ongoing attitude among USU Productions members. Even though not many acts have been confirmed this semester, Godfrey believes they will achieve more.

“There’s always something better we can do,” Godfrey said.

With that attitude, the possibility seems within reach.