By Jaci Schneider, Opinion Editor

Kendall Massey has two goals for his second year directing Sing Song: to make it through the weekend and to make money on the show.

So far, he’s on his way to reaching both goals, but with the most stressful days still ahead of him, he said he sometimes doubts he will make it through.

Sing Song hasn’t made a profit since 1993, Massey said. But he said he should be close to breaking even this year.

“I’m crossing my fingers,” he said. “If we would have hit our ticket sales last year, we would have broke even.”

Tickets for the Saturday night show are almost sold out already, he said, and online ticket ordering also looks positive. Last year, only 630 tickets were ordered online, but as of last week, 622 had already been ordered.

“This year, we do know for certain we are up on orders,” Massey said.

Friday night, usually the least attended of the productions, faculty and staff can buy up to four tickets for half price, Massey said.

“I believe in being a good steward of the funds and resources they’re giving us,” he added.

Massey said he also has more changes in store for Sing Song.

“One of the big ones is we are adding the video screen to the back, and people are trying to take advantage of that,” Massey said.

Many of the changes will be a surprise, but overall, Massey said this year’s Sing Song is different from past productions.

“The song selection is very different,” he said. “Last year it was very glitzy and poppy, but this year it is more retro.”

Massey said a lot of changes are happening for the good, and he wants people to realize the show doesn’t have to be the same every year.

“There’s a whole lot that hasn’t been done in Sing Song, even though we’ve been doing it for 49 years,” he said.

One aspect Massey has been trying to emphasize is the addition of other campus groups to the production.

Hispanos Unidos and the International Students Association will be expected to be a part of the show next year, even though both groups dropped out this year.

Massey’s wife, Vivi Massey, who is in charge of design, costumes, hair and make-up, said she is also excited about the changes coming to Sing Song.

“There are so many things that will catch people by surprise,” she said. “We’re trying to adapt it to speak to a wider variety of people”

Like many students on campus, the Masseys are both dreading the coming weekend and looking forward to it with anticipation.

“I’m not looking forward to it,” Vivi Massey said. “But for myself it’s the most exciting time of the show; it comes together right there in front of your face, all you’ve been working for.”

Although the stress can be overwhelming at times, Vivi Massey said it is all a part of her life.

“We know what it’s for,” she said, “and this is something we do for the glory of God, so it’s worth it.”