Alpha Psi Omega
Seek a Life Useful
Alpha Psi Omega is a fraternity for students with a developing interest in the field of dramatics. Students are honored for their involvement in areas of dramatic production, both on and off stage.
In 1923, an organization called the Masquers at Fairmont State College in Fairmont, West Virginia, was instituted to present an annual program of four or five theatrical productions for students and the public. In 1925, the Masquers began to consider membership in some national honor society as a means of rewarding its most faithful and loyal workers. A proposed national constitution was drawn up, and, on August 12, 1925, those members of the Masquers who met the qualifications of the honor society approved the constitution and adopted the name, Alpha Psi Omega.
It was decided that each chapter was to be called a "cast." Fairmont became the Alpha Cast. Marshall College in Huntington, West Virginia, soon became the Beta Cast. A member of the Beta Cast proposed the name Playbill for the national magazine.
During the course of the first year, 18 new chapters were added. On December 27-28, 1926, the first national APO convention was held at the Palmer House in Chicago. National conventions, held every five years, are called Grand Rehearsals. Alpha Psi Omega now includes more than 550 chapters, making it the largest honor society in America.
2001 Alford Park Drive • Kenosha, WI 53140 • (262) 551-6661 • theatretickets@carthage.edu