AΨΩ
Alpha Beta Kappa Cast of University of North Georgia & Brenau University
What is APO?
Alpha Psi Omega is a national theatre honor society for four-year institutions whose students have demonstrated excellence in theatre. Although the national title is Alpha Psi Omega, we are the Alpha Beta Kappa Cast Chapter. Every October, we invite students to become members based on their theatrical contributions and academic achievements. If you were a member of APO at your last university or have questions about eligibility, contact our Secretary of Membership, Alayna Price.
The purpose of Alpha Psi Omega is to lead within the department through action, to facilitate growth opportunities, and to lend support to GTA and the community. We have a very busy year ahead and hope you will be able to attend all of our exciting events!
National History
In 1921, at Fairmont State College in Fairmont, West Virginia, college theater took root. A faculty director was hired in 1923, and the Masquers were formed. The Masquers were charged with presenting a season of 4 to 5 major productions per year for students and the general public. In 1924, the Masquers began searching for a national honorary organization to join. As there was no truly national organization, Elinor B. Watson, Robert Sloan, and Fairmont faculty director Paul F. Opp researched forming such a national organization.
As a result of their research and work, a proposed national constitution was drawn up, and, on August 12, 1925, the first cast of Alpha Psi Omega members, drawn from the Masquers, was initiated. It was then decided that each chapter was to be called a "cast," and Fairmont College became the Alpha Cast. Soon after, Marshall College in Huntington, West Virginia, expressed interest in chartering a cast of Alpha Psi Omega; they founded the Beta Cast. A member from Huntington suggested the name "Playbill" for the national magazine, which was thereafter adopted.