By Aaliyah Dixon, Contributing writer
National Arts and Humanities Month is an annual celebration held every October that celebrates the different kinds of arts. Those arts include writing, painting, dancing, and many other unique forms of expressing creativity. One of these forms of creativity is theatre, a performance art where characters, played by actors, perform in front of a live audience. Saint Leo University is home to a chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, better known as the National Theatre Honor Society.
Alpha Psi Omega, also known as APO, is a nationally recognized organization that encourages people to express their love for theatre, whether on stage or behind the scenes. Students are welcome to be who they are in a safe, nonjudgmental place.
Noah Henry, vice president of APO and senior studying psychology at Saint Leo, did not hesitate to explain what the art of theatre meant to him.
“Theatre means community as a chance to take something that is not normal in terms of like you’re playing a character. You’re not playing an actual person. You get to create that person however you want. It is very cool to see how characters develop and grow throughout the progression of rehearsals and readthroughs,” Henry says. “I love the community aspect of theatre for the rest to be something different. I love this aspect because it builds a family.”
Although National Arts and Humanities Month is in October, APO celebrates the arts every day through their craft. The organization has their eyes set on some big goals in the upcoming months.
Zachary McElwain, a senior majoring in theatre and the historian of APO, explains some of these goals.
“I want to build a strong case of community and show my talents. I want to also make friends and have fun,” says McElwain.
Alpha Psi Omega is also looking forward to hosting performances at Saint Leo before the end of the fall semester. McElwain explained that the organization is planning a performance that will take place in early November.
“We have an upcoming show called All in the Timing on November 4 through the 6,” explained McElwain. He encouraged students of all backgrounds to come and engage in the show.
While there are many unique styles of art that can be celebrated during National Arts and Humanities Month, the theatre has always been a way to express emotions. Organizations like APO can be an escape from reality for many students here. For more information, students can contact APO Vice President Noah Henry through his email: noah.henry@saintleo.edu.
