PREVIEW: SCEO hosts ‘Saxbys Sing-Along’
By Jasmine Parrott and Grace Bertrand
Giving students a “voice,” Saxbys Student CEO and sophomore marketing major Madison Rattiner, will host the first student-run event for Saxbys since its opening on campus in 2021.
“Saxbys Sing-Along” is an open-mic event Saxbys is hosting on April 25 on the Sweigart Hall patio from 5-7 p.m.
The event was created in hopes for students to not only share their talents with peers, but also end the spring semester on a high note.
“One of my biggest goals was to have a big event at some point during the semester,” said Rattiner. “It’s nice to be able to have my vision come to life.”
Rattiner, who accepted her position last fall, planned the event with the help of a marketing leader from Saxbys’ headquarters who aided when it came to making the budget and knowing how to execute it.
“It’s been difficult, but hopefully it will be rewarding,” said Rattiner.
The event will also feature giveaways and raffles, with the most anticipated prize being a care package of Saxbys merchandise given out to the owner of the winning raffle ticket.
As of now, the open-mic spotlights about 10 performers, but Rattiner encourages anyone who is looking to perform, whether solo or in a group, to sign up by using the QR code posted outside Saxbys or to show up to the event and perform on the spot.
Sophomore musical theater major Lilli Doll, who uses they/them pronouns, is one of the performers and looks forward to sharing their passion for the arts to a different kind of audience.
“Now that I’m on a college campus, I’m trying to find ways to branch out that aren’t just within my major, because I think it’s really easy to get involved with what’s around me,” said Doll.
Having performed on a handful of stages, including R-Factor and more recently, Broncs Go Green’s Earth Day event, Doll hopes to hear new voices at the event.
“I think there’s a lot of pressure when deciding to pursue art as a career and stick to it and have that be your only option, but I genuinely don’t think it’s the only way to do it,” said Doll. “There’s so many incredibly talented people that aren’t pursuing this as a major and I think giving them opportunities to do it is so important.”
Being a singer herself, Rattiner revealed that she drew a lot of inspiration for the event from R-Factor, Rider’s version of the infamous singing competition “X-Factor.”
“I like the fact that R-Factor has something where people who aren’t musical theater or acting majors can go, perform and feel included,” said Rattiner. “I kind of wanted to do another one of those since it’s only once a year.”
As Rattiner wraps up her term as SCEO, she is excited to leave her mark and have one last hurrah with her team members before she exits the position.
“I’m looking forward to bringing the community together and having fun with Saxbys before the semester ends,” said Rattiner.
