Danny Alarjawi ’28
Staff Writer
This year’s facility show was incredible! It told the story of a Mount Holyoke College taken over by artificial intelligence. It was the tech bros and AI bots against Mount Holyoke faculty. The show included guest appearances from our dear old friend, Jorge, and the ghost of Mary Lyon played by the person best fit for the role, Professor of Psychology and Education KC Haydon. Mary Lyon was present throughout the show watching, as AI took over and Mount Holyoke College was transformed. Her appearance combined with narration provided by Robert L. Rooke Associate Professor of Mathematics Dylan Shepardson advanced the plot in a really entertaining way.
The late great Jorge’s appearance was through a video, where he was interviewed four years ago by Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Behavior Marta Sabariego, briefly reviving him so the audience could witness his charm. This was a very special and nostalgic appearance for those who knew Jorge, and gave a glimpse into the silly guy he was for those who joined the College after his death.
In the show, there was poking fun at the use of AI, tech bros, Gen Z slang, and even student evaluations. A turn of events led to a talent show-like contest between the tech bros and the faculty. The highest point of the show was an incredible faculty performance of Bad Bunny’s “BAILE INoLVIDABLE.” The tech bros danced to ’90s music, ending their “Backstreet Boys” performance with a cartwheel; shoutout to Professor of Psychology and Education Jared Schwartzer. However, the faculty definitely won with line dancing, a K-pop performance, and the divine intervention of Rosalía's “Berghain.”
The show took many turns, ultimately ending with a graduating ceremony where AI ruined the event, much to the frustration of Mary Lyon and our President, Danielle Holly. Lyon and Holley had had enough and unplugged the bots. All celebrated this accomplishment, concluding the show with Chappel Roan’s Pink Pony Club.
The faculty show is a wonderful way to connect students with the College’s faculty. Many of their wonderful personalities shined though the performances giving the students a taste of how creative and fun they all are. I want to send a huge shoutout to the psychology & education, Spanish, biology, chemistry, computer science, neuroscience, mathematics & statistics, philosophy, and all other departments who made this show so special for students across many different disciplines. No review of the performance would be complete without highlighting professors Haydon and Sabariego, who took on multiple amazing roles throughout the show. Everyone involved made it a night to remember!
Quill Nishi-Leonard ’27 contributed fact-checking.