The Varsity Show
Columbia’s Oldest Performing Arts Tradition
In 1894, The Varsity Show began as a fundraiser for Columbia’s athletic teams. Over the years, it has evolved into an independent performing arts tradition that satirizes life at Columbia through its takes on politics, student groups, administrators and other aspects of campus life.
History
The Varsity Show is Columbia’s oldest performing arts tradition and is dedicated to both celebrating and satirizing life at Columbia University. Now in its 129th year, this full-length musical is written, composed, directed, choreographed, designed, produced and performed entirely by undergraduate students to showcase aspects of our collective college experience.
For a detailed and anecdotal history of The Varsity Show and the changes it has undergone since its conception, read Thomas J. Vinciguerra’s (Columbia College ’85, Journalism ’86, GSAS ’90) "Sing a Song of Morningside," originally written for Columbia College Today.
Alumni
Our alumni are critical to upholding the traditions and values of The Varsity Show, and participate in annual traditions such as our “Turkey Day” workshop - a performance of a preliminary draft of the show for our alumni to then give feedback and constructive advice on - and the I.A.L. Diamond Award for Achievement in the Arts, an annual award granted to Columbia and Barnard alumni who have contributed significantly to the arts.
Varsity Show alumni have gone on to continue working in theatre and entertainment, politics, nonprofits, and beyond. Iconic writing teams to emerge from The Varsity Show include Richard Rodgers (CC 1923) and both Oscar Hammerstein II (CC 1916) and Lorenz Hart (CC 1918), as well as Tom Kitt (CC 1996) and Brian Yorkey (CC 1993). Eric Garcetti (CC 1992), Jeanine Tesori (BC 1983), Greta Gerwig (BC 2006), Jenny Slate (CC 2004), and Kate McKinnon (CC 2006), and many others have also contributed to and participated in past Varsity Shows, adding to its rich and vibrant history.
“Everything is up for grabs: pompous classmates, the winds of war, the mayhem that is New York, (un)requited love, the core curriculum, the President of the University and of the U.S.—in short, the sum total of what is on the minds of Columbia's typically intelligent, witty, frightened, jaded, hormone-driven 17-to-21-year-olds”
— Thomas J. Vinciguerra C'85, J'86, GSAS '90
from Sing a Song of Morningside Heights
Interested in joining?
Auditions and Interviews are held every fall. Contact us below for more details!