Last Thursday, more than 35 students gathered in the lobby of the Ferguson Center for something other than lunch. A song by dance music duo LMFAO played in the background, and the students, most of whom were in the same hospitality marketing class, began to dance.
The flash mob was designed to bring attention to UA Stereotypes: Burned, a comedy show which will take place Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Ferguson Center Theater.
“For 2012, one of the top marketing trends to do is flash mobs,” said Kayla Key, a junior majoring in restaurant hospitality and meeting management. “So, our teacher brought us the idea of having our class do a flash mob. I paired it with the event leadership class, which we are doing the comedy show for.”
The flash mobbers thought hitting the Ferg at noon would be the best time to perform, and many students stood and watched.
“We had a lot of fun doing it,” said Evan Blitzer, a sophomore event and planning major. “Some people, like me, were nervous, but we knew we could do it.”
Participants and planners said this year’s comedy show is special because of its theme. All performers, including members of Alpha Psi Omega theater group, will address stereotypes in a comedic way. The event’s Facebook page said the idea of the comedy show is to give students a humorous view of stereotypes and diversity issues and address how they are untrue.
“What we’re wanting to do is break down the barriers of the stereotypes that are here on campus,” Key said.
BJ Laura Savage, a junior majoring in restaurant and hospitality management and the flash mob’s videographer, said she thinks the theme is appropriate given recent events.
“In the last few years, Alabama has gotten so much negative press about the lack of diversity, and this will help break those stereotypes to show that it’s not all of UA,” she said. “We can overcome adversity.”
There will be free refreshments and a discussion in the East Dining Room of the Ferg after the show.
Students in professor Kimberly Boyle’s class think the comedy show will be good for campus and will have a positive impact.
“I hope that people will think twice before they judge others on this campus,” Savage said. “I’m hoping [the show] will promote unity throughout the student body . . . People should attend the show to get everyone’s point of view on the issues we all face on campus. This will help expand everyone’s outlook on everything.”
For more information on the event, call 205-348-7525.
