Social Organizations to Showcase Theatrical Talents, Celebrate MC Culture during 2022 Follies
Entering Homecoming 2021, the Kokoa men had never won Follies, a series of rollicking, one-of-a-kind 10-minute musical and theatrical performances staged each year by the 10 social clubs and tribes at Mississippi College.
To turn the tide, Kokoa Follies chair Garrett Franklin searched out of this world for inspiration. Adapting characters from the popular Marvel Cinematic Universe series “Guardians of the Galaxy,” Franklin combined a humor-packed storyline with expertly choreographed dance routines and impressive solo performances to stitch together the club’s first Follies victory.
It was an impressive feat, considering Franklin, a member of the Choctaws football team, had limited time to devote to his club’s dramaturgical success.
“During Kokoa’s Follies practices, we saw the performance come together,” said Chip Wilson, associate director of student engagement at MC. “They showed it was important for them to compete. Considering all that goes into being a football player at MC, Garrett put the work in to ensure that when it came time for Kokoa to walk onstage, they were prepared to perform at the best of their ability.”
The Kokoa men will have the opportunity to defend their title during the 2022 Follies Public Performance, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28, in Swor Auditorium in Nelson Hall. Open seating tickets cost $20 each and are available for purchase online.
Wilson said Follies is a cherished MC Homecoming tradition that shouldn’t be missed.
“Follies is a time for all of our social organizations to showcase their members’ talents and abilities, whether someone writes a script, helps execute a performance, or comes on stage to sing a solo or recite a funny monologue,” said Wilson, who oversees student productions at MC, including Follies in the fall and Swerve in the spring.
“There are a lot of ‘inside jokes’ about Mississippi College that might not land if you’re not familiar with MC culture, but everyone can appreciate the quality of the performances and the willingness of the participants to go all out for an entertaining evening.”
He said that only new members of clubs and tribes performed in Follies at one time, but through the years, “actives” were incorporated into the production.
“As Follies have become bigger and grander, organizations wanted to showcase all of their members’ talents, from artistic stage production creating props and background scenes, to vocal and acting performances.”
The night before the Follies Public Performance, participating groups stage a free “dress rehearsal” for MC faculty, staff, and students only. The Follies Student Performance is scheduled for 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27, in Swor Auditorium.
“That performance typically gets a lot more laughs, and there’s a lot more cheering because audience members want to support their own organizations,” Wilson said. “There’s a different dynamic. Thursday night is more about camaraderie; Friday night is about parents and families proudly watching their students walk across the stage or sing a solo.
“You can feel the pride of the parents, professors, high school music teachers, and friends as they watch their loved ones perform.”
At its heart, Follies is a competition, and participants vie for a number of prizes. On Thursday night, audience members select a Club Favorite and a Tribe Favorite performance. Depending on how their team finishes, clubs and tribes receive points toward their overall scores in the annual Club and Tribe competition.
Awards for individual accomplishments, such as Best Choreography and Best Story Line, are particular points of pride. Recently, Follies judges have selected “star performer” awards – individual singers, dancers, or actors whose performances stood out from their respective group’s skits.
The most coveted honor remains winning Follies itself. To date, Civitan has the most Follies victories with 15; Laguna leads all women’s tribes with five Follies titles.
The accomplishment is so treasured that performers invest months of rehearsals for a few minutes of stage time.
“They really lean into their practices and make sure of every detail, such as whether the backdrops are completely painted,” Wilson said. “Follies has grown so large that it serves to usher in the rest of the Homecoming events. After the performance on Friday night, there is a “watch party” in the Bowl behind the Caf for the performers, so those in the show can view a recording of it for the first time with their fellow club and tribe members.
“After the watch party, the organizations work on building their tailgate floats. Hot chocolate is served, and people sit underneath blankets and tell funny stories about their Follies experience. It makes for a long but very fun night. There is a lot of camaraderie between organizations, and everyone has a good time.”
The most endearing aspect of Follies is the pride club and tribe members show to their representatives on stage.
“A lot of the performers are new members of their organizations and only recently became active,” Wilson said. “Now they’re on stage representing that club or tribe. It’s fun to watch their new club or tribe members go crazy for them and to see how proud they are of their representatives on stage.
“There are a lot of events back-to-back during Homecoming, and it’s an exciting time to be at MC. But it’s fun to see how everyone reacts to the Follies performances and to watch all the active members work together to put on a good show.”
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.mc.edu/follies.
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