The stage was dark. The audience waited in agonizing suspense as a video began to play on the screen before them. It was time for the last act of Sigma Kappa’s Late Night – the moment all of a packed Kresge crowd had been waiting for. Could the Kappa Sigma Pledges do it again? Could they come up with an act so wonderfully creative, so beautifully crafted, practiced and executed that a viewer would have no choice but to fall to their knees in tears? The answer was quickly and decisively uncovered. Yes.
The video began with a tribute to our forbearers, who showed us the ways of the KS Late Night performance. It then quickly detoured in order to mock a certain viral Youtube video. Within seconds, though, the true act had begun. Katy Perry’s golden voice rang, and we began to dance our way into history.
I encourage anyone reading this to stop immediately in order to watch the video. I cannot possibly hope to describe the Majesty that was “Hot N Cold.” The only thing I can provide is something of a DVD commentary. So here goes:
How did you decide on that song?
It was hard. There were a lot of ideas thrown around initially. These were paired down some, but the decision factor was that there were two or three pledges that were REALLY committed to bringing “Hot N Cold” to Late Night. They convinced the rest of us that it could work. So we went with it.
How did you plan such an artistic achievement?
We spent a lot of time breaking up the video into its elements, then choreographing them individually. It took a lot of practice and patients, but the payoff was worth it.
How did you get Martin Scorsese to make the edited video for you?
Actually, one of our pledge brothers, Blair Gagnon, is our Scorsese stand-in. He took care of all of the video aspects and the project would’ve failed without him.
Anyone else you’d like to thank?
Joe Salinas and Blair Gagnon did a lot of the planning, but everyone pitched in. Thanks to Ani Arun for being the groom, and to Steven Freiberg for standing in the background nodding for the entire show.
What were your overall impressions as a pledge class?
So far it was one of the most fun things that we have done together. We all loved doing it and I feel like it brought us a lot closer together. I am really lucky to have such awesome pledge brothers.
Last question: Did you win?
Hell yeah! Best Large Act!
-Jack Wanderman, KS ‘13