Alpha Psi Omega Pledge Education Packet – Fall 2018

**Everything that needs to be filled out is the most important for the Test of No Return. They will
for sure be on the exam. Do learn the rest too though, as some of the others might be on there.**

I. GENERAL INFORMATION
As you might know, there are different categories of Greek organizations. There are
four main types: Social, Service, Professional, and Honorary.  These categories
mainly differ in who they recruit for their organizations.  
SOCIAL FRATERNITY – a social greek organization that recruit members
without regard for academic requirements or major specification
Examples on campus include Phi Mu Alpha and Chi Omega.

SERVICE FRATERNITY – Service Greek organizations recruit members who

are dedicated to philanthropy, as such, most of their work is geared towards
philanthropic endeavors. Alpha Phi Omega (Not to be confused with THIS
fraternity) is an example of this on campus.

PROFESSIONAL FRATERNITY – a professional greek organization that recruit

off of academic credit or specific trade (only business major, etc)

Examples on campus are Sigma Alpha Iota and Kappa Delta

Pi.

HONORARY FRATERNITY – There are two types of Honorary Fraternities,

academic and regular Honorary. Academic fraternities recruit based on GPA.
Alpha Lambda Delta is an example of this on campus. An honorary frat recruit
based on work done in a particular field. An honorary fraternity differs from a
professional fraternity, as one does not need to be a Theatre Major to join.

II. NATIONAL HISTORY

In the early twentieth century, interest in the dramatic arts grew tremendously on
college and university campuses. By 1920, most colleges had a dramatic organization
staging plays annually for the campus and the community at large. Also around this
time, small theatre productions and dramatic workshops began taking place. This
furthered the interest in theatre on campuses everywhere, especially in the western
part of the country. At this time, several honorary groups were formed to recognize
and reward exemplary student participation in those theatrical productions.
In 1923, at Fairmont State College in Fairmont, West Virginia, the first group of
Masquers was formed. These theatre students were charged with presenting a season
of 4 to 5 major productions per year for the college and the general public. In 1924,
the Masquers began searching for a National Honorary Organization to join. As there
was no truly national organization, Fairmont faculty director Dr. Paul F. Opp began
work on forming such a national organization.
As a result of their work, a national constitution was written, and, on AUGUST 12,
1925 the first cast of Alpha Psi Omega members were drawn from Fairmount State
College, the Masquers were initiated.
It was then decided that each chapter was to be called a "cast;” Fairmont College
became the Alpha Cast. Soon after, Marshall College in Huntington, West Virginia,
expressed interest in chartering a cast of Alpha Psi Omega; they founded the Beta
Cast. A member from Huntington suggested the name "Playbill" for the national
magazine, which was thereafter adopted.
Over the course of the following year, eighteen more casts were founded. When the
first national convention was held on December 27-28, 1926, at the Palmer House in
Chicago, twenty casts had been chartered. These national conventions, later known as
grand rehearsals, were held every five years. The performance following the
convention was known as the performance ball.

Currently, the 'National Meeting' is held every year at the Southeastern Theatre
Conference.
Throughout the country, Alpha Psi Omega has sponsored the formation of theatre
honor societies in high schools and junior colleges, with the aim of encouraging
dramatic involvement at every step in a person's academic career.
IN 1929 after significant interest at the junior college level DELTA PSI OMEGA was
born
In 1936, at the Alpha Psi Omega Grand Rehearsal, Delta Psi Omega was officially
recognized as the junior college division of Alpha Psi Omega. Today, there are over
350 Delta Psi Omega casts.
Alpha Psi Omega has enjoyed continuous national growth and, with over 600 casts, is
the largest national honor society in America. Currently, there are 201 active chapters
at colleges and universities around the country

These institutions have an established theatre program or club for the purpose of
producing plays, which qualifies them for membership.
In 1994 the building at Fairmont State College (now University) in which Dr. Opp
formed Alpha Psi Omega, Delta Psi Omega, and the Thespian Society (high school,
now the International Thespian Society) was added to the National Register of
Historical Places, in large part due to the formation of these groups.
The business of alpha and delta psi omega is supervised by national officers also
known as the grand cast. This governing body consists of a President, vice president,
 and a business manager. There are also three communities that delegate tasks out to
members. the communities are known as alpha, psi, omega
Such names as Paul Opp, Yetta Mitchell, Donald Garner, Jerry Henderson, and James
Fisher are familiar to long-time cast members as officers in earlier years. Current
officers are Frankie Day as President, Tommy Cox as Vice President, Bret Jones as
Business Manager and Editor of "Playbill", and Joel Lord as Web Administrator.
III. REGION INFORMATION
The National Organization of Alpha Psi Omega is organized into 5 Regions based on
geographic location. Region 2 encompasses many of the chapters in the Midwest
region.
Institution Location
Tri State College Angola, Indiana
University of Southern Indiana Evansville, Indiana
DePauw University Greencastle, Indiana
Butler University Indianapolis, Indiana
University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana
Ball State University Muncie, Indiana
Taylor University Upland, Indiana
Purdue University West Lafayette, Indiana
Valparaiso, University Valparaiso, Indiana

IV. CHAPTER INFORMATION

The cast of beta iota of vu was established 1928
our formal is called Masquerade and happens every two years

The Executive Board of our cast has similar positions to the Grand Cast, however we
have added positions to fit the needs of our cast. The current Eboard members and
their duties are listed below.
PRESIDENT – Jessica Cretors: chairs meeting, group contact and spokesperson,
calls emergency meetings, and cancels them, sees that all functions of APO are
met

VICE PRESIDENT – Jillian McNally: assumes the duties of president when

president is not available, in charge of point sheets at VU, publicity chair, makes
sure by-laws are upheld
 BUSINESS MANAGER – Myles Mattsey: take chapter notes and minutes,
handles correspondence, does budget, distributed national literature, reports on
financial status of chapter

PLEDGE EDUCATOR – Karter Ensley: meet with pledge class, inform

understudies on APO, prepares understudies for initiation, runs recruitment
process, plans pre-i, initiation, and big little

PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIR – Taylor Austin: handling all publicity of APO,

maintains website, establish committees as needed, pictures and programs, social
media

SOCIAL CHAIR – Will Witry: plans all social events, including SUDS,
masquerade, theatre banquet, works closely with the PR

INTERNAl RELATIONS- Hope siebold: keeps green room clean, in charge of

calendar dates approved by cast, go to her in conflict with another cast member

V. THINGS TO DO BEFORE INITIATION:

1) Memorize 12 lines of Shakespeare (can be from Sonnets, Soliloquies, Spear

Fighting Scenes, anything but it has to be at least 12 and no more than 14. This
will be performed during Initiation in front of the cast.)

2) Prepare a performance of some sort (can be dancing, dramatic acting, drawing but
actually anything that qualifies as a performance. This will be performed during
the performance chapter in front of the cast and your fellow understudies. If you
need ideas, let Karter know)

3) Come to at least one APO chapter meeting before Pre-I (these are on Sundays at
12PM in the Greenroom down by the Dressing Rooms.)

4) Pay $45 to the Business Manager for dues. (If you want to come up with a way to
pay for it through fundraising. Go for it.)

5) Get a gift for the current cast! (We can talk about it if you guys are struggling.
This will be presented to the cast at Initiation.)

6) Get a letter of recommendation from one of the theatre faculty. (these don’t need
to be long. If you are struggling, just let me know)
 7) You must interview everyone (current members and fellow understudies) before
Pre-I
o All interviews should be conducted FACE-TO-FACE-IN-PERSON, the
current cast members will try to find a time that fits in your schedule but
you have to contact them
o Your finished interviews must be given to Karter 24 hours before Pre-I
either electronically (shared in Google Drive/ email) or in person
o The following list are items you must fill in for your interviewee
▪ Hometown
▪ Major(s)
▪ Minor(s)
▪ Personal Telephone Number
▪ Email
▪ Birthday
▪ 3 Likes/Favorites
▪ 3 Dislikes
▪ Idiosyncrasy (go look it up if you don’t know the word)
▪ Favorite VU Show (been in OR seen)
▪ Activities on Campus
▪ VU Theatre Credits (Technical and Acting Credits)
▪ APO Big/ Little
▪ Own Question
o You will come up with three likes and three dislikes questions that are
unique to your interview
o The last question is totally up to you, ask them anything!

VI. SCHEDULE FOR INITIATION

September 9th @ 3pm : Overview of the Pledging Process, Distribution of
Packets, starting filling out packets.
September 18th @ 6:30 : Big/Little Reveal
Friday, September 24th : Interviews DUE to APO Greenroom
Pledgicator’s Inbox OR in Karter’s hands
September 25th @ 6pm: Pre-Induction
September 26th @ 12pm?: Induction (WORKKK)