On Tuesday, March 25, Student University Programmers (SUP) hosted a movie night in the Chamberlain Student Center Pit. 

This movie night featured the latest “Hunger Games” movie: “A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” Released in November 2023, this movie follows events before the original “Hunger Games” trilogy.

The Student Center Pit had students sitting in chairs arranged to accommodate the event. In the middle of the room was the projector screen setup with a stereo on either side to provide quality audio for the audience.

SUP organizers were setting up more seating just ahead of the 9:15 p.m. start time to accommodate the sizable crowd that was accumulating.

Before the movie, they drew a ticket for their raffle, which was for a box of Nick’s Pizza.

The movie started on time and ended at 11:45 p.m. Before the show, SUP provided popcorn and various drinks, which students took advantage of while watching the film.

Student University Programmers host movie nights biweekly in the Student Center Ballroom, which is free to students and provides an opportunity for them to mingle with their peers while also enjoying recent or old cinema.

Ava Wortham, a freshman majoring in computer science, went to the movie night because she was a fan of the “Hunger Games” series and wanted to watch “A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.”

“I like the “Hunger Games” series, so I thought, ‘why not just watch it here,’” said Wortham.

Movie nights provide a connection and a place for students to go after classes.

“I think it’s a nice experience. It’s kind of a highlight compared to the stress of college,” said Wortham.

Students can rely on these movie nights to occur rain or shine, regardless of whatever else might be happening on campus. To date, SUP has hosted five movie nights, with three more on the horizon.

Rowan freshmen Elena Reeman and Jennifer Angelo have been to every movie night, and “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” was no exception.

“We have been going to every movie night since last semester. We go whenever they have it,” Reeman said.

The reliable nature of movie night is something the pair enjoys.

“It gives us something to look forward to whenever it’s happening that week,” Reeman added.

The two of them enjoyed “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” as Reeman was a fan of  “The Hunger Games,” while it was Angelo’s first time watching a “Hunger Games” film.

“I know nothing about “The Hunger Games,” but it was very interesting because I’ve never read any of the books, but I know the premise. It was interesting to see it actually pan out,” said Angelo.

To stay up to date with events Student University Programmers hosts, including movie nights, you can visit Proflink. Their next movie night will happen on Tuesday, April 8, and will feature “Kung Fu Panda 4.”

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