The producers also hired Indigo Design Group to incorporate computer generated graphics onto the screen during the live show. Both the visual effects coordinator and the light board operator would be playing live, listening for the music cued up by Matthew T. O’Malley ’04, who utilized the same sequencing program used by Versace and Dolce & Gabbana in sequencing their music.

Many of the show’s organizers also appreciated the artistic freedom provided by the non-traditional venue. Aikis Konstantankopoulos ’06, who served as co-director with Manuela L.F. Zoninsein ’05 for the “Classic Hollywood” segment, says, “It’s just fun to direct the models, to bring all these different people from Harvard together and use lights, video and sound to create something different.”

The air is one of conviviality in the pre-show hours on Friday afternoon, and Melvin’s comment that “it’s just like family” seems prevalent above the hectic pace of last minute rehearsals. Though the producers intensified the rehearsal schedule to two to three hours per day for the final three weeks, students didn’t seem to mind, agreeing that the best part about the show is its people.

“There’s so much energy, and it’s a lot of fun,” says Nathalie Miller ’04, who also modeled in last year’s show. “People who you don’t think would do this are here, and there are all these different groups being brought together.”

A member of the Half-Asian Peoples’ Association, Miller is one of a diverse group of models who will represent groups such as the Black Student’s Association, the Association of Black Harvard Women and Men’s Varsity Basketball Team. Adds Abdel Reid, “You’ve got the Caribbean team, the BMF, finals clubs, black groups, Asian groups, and all these people are coming together to see their friends perform.” With the additional presence of the Men’s Varsity Hockey Team, who served as security for the night, the staff and crew were an eclectic mix of students that ultimately became family.

In the years ahead, BlackCAST would like to maintain the popularity of Eleganza as a way of challenging the traditionally rigid reputation that Harvard has of creating an unsupported artistic community.

“As pre-med and social studies majors, many members of our team wouldn’t normally get the chance to express their artistic sides,” says Melvin. “But Eleganza allows anyone with the talent and dedication to explore aspects of their own creativity that don’t have enough of an outlet at Harvard.”

—Staff writer Effie M. Metallidis can be reached at metallid@fas.harvard.edu.