The red carpet has been rolled out, the spotlight is on you and the crowds are going wild. You glisten in your glamourous outfit and realize that you have become a celebrity.
Snap out of it. This dream of being in Hollywood can now become a reality thanks to University Productions.
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, University Productions will provide the campus a chance to step out of their lives and become celebrities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Winter Cruise 2004, ETSU Goes Hollywood.
The 12th Annual Winter Cruise, held on all three floors of the D.P. Culp Center, will offer students a chance to meet almost 35 organizations and numerous campus office, said University Productions programmer and senior Nancy Padgett.
“Winter Cruise is sort of this time for organizations to get their name out in a fun way,” Padgett said.
“This is our biggest event; it’s even bigger than Skit Night.”
She said that Winter Cruise attendance is about 1,000 students throughout the course of the day.
In addition to the tables of games, giveaways and goodies set up and manned by each student organization, this year UP is having caricature artists present, lots of food and many giveaways.
UP uses Winter Cruise as a way to get students more involved with the campus and to learn more about organizations, said Padgett.
“It is a way for organizations to get their fun sides out to students,” she said. “Many students even get new members from it.”
In addition to its yearly Winter Cruise getaway, UP selects, sets up and present entertainment and educational programs for the campus community all year long and provides a life beyond the routine class schedule.
“I have been here for 25 years,” said Dr. Sally Lee, associate vice president of Student Affairs. “University Productions has always been here. It just had several different names.”
Involvement in UP is open to all ETSU students and can range from being a committee member to student staff programmer.
“We are looking for a diverse number of groups, “Lee said.”A diverse program board would make University Productions even more successful.”
By being involved, many students can learn about the technical, business and marketing aspect of the entertainment business, including how to select a performer, negotiate with a booking agency and promote performances, Lee said.
“It is an opportunity to get some work-related experience while an undergraduate,” she said.
“This is my fourth year being a staff programmer,” said Padgett, whose major is human developmental and learning.
“I found my career path through University Productions.”
All events sponsored by University Productions are open to ETSU students, faculty and staff and their families.
For more information on Winter Cruise or how to become involved with UP, call 439-6828 or e-mail univprod@mail.etsu.edu.

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