The Show

Watch. Act. Laugh. Dance. Sing. Perform.
Learn more about the biggest show on campus.

What is the Show?

Almost a thousand in attendance. Hundreds of performers and crew. Ten acts. One day. All for the biggest show on campus.

Every year on the first Saturday of spring quarter, SASA and many of its partner RSOs present a show featuring several performances tied together by skits that present the underlying theme and message of the show. The show is a display of South Asian identity, culture, and conflicts and how these interact in the everyday lives of UChicago students. Past shows include a spy mission on campus, TV producers searching for the next big act, and a love story brewing in the midst of all the stresses of a UChicago student.

Learn more about how to get involved in the production of the show, and read more about the experiences of performers, creative directors, stage crew, and board members in the show that has sold out Mandel Hall for six years running.

Media


Mission SASA (2019)


Full Show

SASA Presents: A Love Story (2018)


Full Show

The SASA Channel (2017)


Full Show

Get Involved

Volunteer

Volunteer to help serve dinner during show day, work on the tech team during show week rehearsal in Mandel Hall, or set up the decorations throughout Bartlett and Reynolds Club.

Perform

Sing or dance in one of the many inserts during the show. Auditions for acts begin in the winter quarter and practices usually require time commitments of a few hours per week during winter quarter and every day during show week (the first week of spring quarter).

Act

The performances occur in conjunction with skits that guide viewers through the acts, main message, and theme of the show. Auditions to act in the skits begin in the winter quarter, and acting requires a time commitment of several hours per week.

Join Show Committee

Want to help write, film, and edit the skits of the show? Apply to join show committee and work with the show directors in the fall and winter quarter to bring the theme to life.

Join Tech Team

Manage the lights, sound, backstage logistics, filming, or any other technical parts that go into presenting the show. Sign up to either volunteer on and off stage during show week or to become the technical director during the production process.

Become a Creative Director

Want to choreograph one of the acts during the show, or create your own type of performance? Apply to be a creative director for the show. Responsibilities include envisioning an act, leading and managing your performers, and working with the show directors to implement your ideas in the context of this year's theme.

Become a Show Director

Direct the show and lead hundreds of performers, a show team, several creative directors, volunteers, and Mandel staff through a year of organizing and executing. Join SASA board next year by applying to be a show director.

Stories

Growing up, I did not have any South Asian friends so I felt like that part of my culture and identity was restricted to my family and home. But, after joining SASA, I finally got to experience the joy of sharing that side of myself. Being able to sing, dance, and act in my last show is a real celebration of the unforgettable people I’ve met and the experiences we have had over the last four years…Bringing a new Telugu act this year is a testament to how much I have been able to connect with my roots because of SASA. - Rachana '19

I love the SASA show because it's an inclusive space for people to showcase their South Asian heritage and / or learn something about South Asian culture. It's also in general just a really fun event for everyone in the UChicago community to enjoy! - Laya '20

I love the excitement around the show. It brings so many people in the UChicago community together and gives everyone the opportunity to work on something together! - Ishaan '19

As you can see I have kinda/sorta dedicated my life to Show so I guess my favorite part of it is how much of my personality now lives in the Show. My other favorite part is seeing all the stuff that doesn’t make it into the Show, because it is too ridiculous and too funny! Last time I saw the bloopers I cried tears of laughter. - Tanvi '20

Being on the committee has brought so many incredibly laugh-worthy Saturdays of filming and the number of people that have put in the effort to memorize lines and really bring their own flair into the filming/show process. And the FEELING of watching all of your best friends go hard on stage to bring their best to the show makes all the hard work SO worth it. - Harini '20

Imagine waking up at 7am, jetting to class until 3, then spending your entire evening from 4 to 10 in Mandel Hall watching and rehearsing with acts over and over, then going to a Board member’s apartment to talk logistics until 1. In one week I’ve never gotten less sleep and had to exert myself more, but I’d do it all again in a heartbeat because the bonds you solidify and friendships you make along the way make it so, so worth it. And it’s these bonds that help create this spectacle we call the Show. - Anirudh '19

The main reason I love the show is the chaos of the week leading up to it. Show week gives each performer a chance to cheer on everyone else in their unique parts and show off to everyone else their own unique part, and since everyone in the show sees the whole thing at least 3 times by Saturday through rehearsals, it becomes a habit to be mutually supportive. Even though each day of show week feels like a whole week I'm pretty good at keeping it all in perspective and soaking in each minute.
- Arnav '19

Being part of the SASA show has been such a huge part of my college experience since my first year and I wouldn't have it any other way! I honestly love everything about it - from the beautiful and exciting celebration of South Asian cultures to the crazy hours spent running back and forth between rehearsals to all the amazing friendships I've made over the years.
- Vrinda '19

Every single one of my best memories at this school so far involves the SASA show. Having this opportunity to showcase my culture and its beautiful art forms to our college community is truly a privilege. Catch me fake grumbling about back to back rehearsals show week (it’s actually my favorite thing in the world). Get your tickets ASAP, missing out would be a mistake!
- Akshaya '20