Turkey Day
Each spring, the Varsity Show community gathers for Turkey Day — a time-honored tradition where the current team presents a work-in-progress version of the show to alumni for feedback. It is an honor to welcome back alumni for this collaborative event each year, which connects generations of Varsity Show participants and helps shape the final production before it’s shared with the entire Columbia community. Turkey Day is a celebration of creativity, mentorship, and the shared spirit that has defined the Varsity Show for over a century.
History
After a 15-year hiatus brought on by the campus unrest of the 1960s, the Varsity Show was nearly lost. But, in 1982, sophomores Adam Belanoff and Steve Gee launched Columbia Graffiti, followed by a smaller “Junior Varsity Show” the next year. Their efforts convinced administrators to bring back the tradition in full, and in 1984 The New U premiered to enthusiastic acclaim. Its success reestablished the Varsity Show as a defining part of Columbia’s cultural life.
It was during this revival that the tradition of “Turkey Day” began. The creative team invited alumni to an early run-through to provide feedback on the developing show, noting that the least admired scenes would be cut. Borrowing the slang of the era, in which a “turkey” referred to something that wasn’t very good, Adam declared it “Turkey Day,” and the tradition endured — shaping each production through thoughtful critique and connecting generations of Varsity Show participants.
