For more than three decades, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” has been a hallmark of queer community at Whitman College. This year, the annual shadow cast production continued the legacy with new faces, expanded roles and a renewed focus on inclusivity and accessibility.
Gracie Rosen, class of 2027 and one of the current Presidents of Rocky, first joined the show as a first-year ensemble member and has since helped shape the event’s evolving traditions. As president, Rosen and the rest of the leadership team are continuing to evolve the production while holding on to what makes it meaningful to Whitman’s campus.
“We’re trying to still keep everything we love about Rocky, while making sure that it’s a very fun and accessible environment for anybody who wants to participate,” Rosen said. “We have a lot more stuff going on in the lobby for people who aren’t so interested in virgin games. We have a DJ set, so people can dance. Previously, we had some drag queens.”
Rosen said the show’s organizers have also expanded opportunities for participation beyond the main cast, with more ensemble involvement in the production and stage crew positions to expand the club to a larger group on campus.
The tradition of “Rocky Horror” at Whitman dates back to the 1980s. The show, originally a 1975 cult classic film, has been embraced nationally as a symbol of queer expression and community.
“The show itself is from the 1970s movie, ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’, which is a huge queer film and very much a huge trans film as well and broke a lot of barriers,” Rosen said. “Now we look back at it, and it’s hugely problematic in a lot of different ways, but people have made it their own as still this hallmark of queer culture by doing shadow casts in front of the screenings.”
For Rosen, the spirit of Rocky at Whitman is about creating a space that is both celebratory and welcoming.
“I was in theater in high school, and it was a very competitive environment, and I’m trying to make this a space that anyone can show up to with no experience, no prior knowledge, maybe they’re not queer, maybe they’re figuring it out and they can come and just have a space that is completely theirs,” Rosen said.
Whitman’s student-led Sexual Violence Prevention (SVP) group also plays a role in ensuring that Rocky remains a safe and supportive environment. Senior SVP member Mason Hardbarger said their team focuses on providing a variety of resources and reminding attendees to respect boundaries.
“I’ve been in Sexual Violence Prevention since my sophomore year,” Hardbarger said. “Usually at these events, we table, hand out contraceptive[s], a bunch of resources and Narcan today, [along with] earplugs for people that need them. We’re also going up on stage before the show to give a brief message of saying costumes are not consent, and let people know that there are resources here for them.”
Hardbarger, who has attended the show for four years, said watching the event evolve has been one of the most rewarding parts.
“As a senior, it’s pretty interesting. I’ve seen a lot of different iterations, and so it’s kind of cool to see the different flavor that different groups of people bring to Rocky because in its essence, it’s still Rocky, but it’s unique every year,” Hardbarger said.
Renee Jay, a Junior who performs in the ensemble, said the show’s lasting popularity comes from its deep roots in queer identity and the community it builds each year.
“It’s important to have queer communities built by queer productions,” Jay said. “The show is so important to identities. Even being as old as it is so celebrated, and it’s across the country. There’s a part of Whitman that really fixates and loves Rocky. I think that’s why people keep coming back every year,” Jay said.
Jay added that for newcomers, the environment is one of warmth and acceptance.
“No matter what you’re expecting, you’re going to be met with love, and there’s always safe spaces at Rocky, no matter what your comfort level is. There’s always somewhere for you to go and you’ll find your people here,” Jay said.
As the original show this year celebrates its fiftieth year with performances and screenings nationwide, Whitman’s “Rocky Horror Picture Show” remains a vivid example of tradition, transformation and community. The show continues to thrive as a space where students can express themselves freely, providing a space on campus that accepts students for who they are.
