Whether you are a professional shadowcaster, a die-hard Rocky Horror lover, or a curious individual wondering what all the excitement is about, RKO Army’s Rocky Horror Convention is about to transport you into a time warp like you’ve never experienced before. For its 50th anniversary, this August event is completely new. This is not your regular fan gathering: This is an event that is dedicated to the people who have kept the cult classic alive for half a century. Hosted by RI’s RKO Army, the convention promises its community four nights, from July 30 to August 3, filled with performances, panels, parties, karaoke, and lots of shadowcasting- all leading up to the main event.
Meet Roy Rossi, one of the driving forces behind RKO Army. His connection to Rocky Horror began in the late ‘70s when he first heard of it. By 1978, he was fully aware of the cult classic, and in 1980, he was attending shadowcasting shows regularly. A year later, Rossi started his own cast down in Newport at the James Pickens Theater. For the next couple of years, the cast bounced from theater to theater, going from the Avon Cinema to the Warwick Theater. “Most of these theaters do not even exist anymore,” shares Rossi. However, in 2003, a switch was made that completely changed the formula of the cast’s performances. “We decided to go in a different direction and stop focusing on multiple venues,” Rossi says. Instead of weekly shows, it became monthly performances. This allowed the cast to approach their work with a new set of eyes. “We were not a hangout spot anymore. That [new] formula made us grow up and actually made us a lot better.” Aside from it being a fun space, it also started to become a professional place for the cast to grow together.
Their experiences at other people’s conventions sparked even more ambition and inspiration. “They came to us, and one of the people said we should throw one.” So then, in 2013, they threw their first Rocky Horror convention. It was an unexpected success. A second one followed in 2016. At that point, I began to realize that if we throw one every three years, we will end up on the 50th.”
And now, here they are. While most Rocky Horror conventions focus on bringing back stars from the original movie, RKO Army decided to stray away from that. “We decided to focus on the actual people who kept this thing alive,” says Rossi. A lot of these shows happen in front of 15 or 20 people. For the cast, it is not about the fame but rather the commitment and the passion behind it. Shadowcasting, for those who do not know, is the act of performing a film live while the movie plays on the big screen. Cast members imitate what is happening, often adding their own flair and improvisational twists to further entertain their audience. “You do not hear our voices, but we mimic what goes on,” Rossi said. “It is different from theater because it is ongoing. There is no beginning or end to the cast membership.” While the goal is to be perfectly accurate, that is not always what happens. Sometimes there is a little room for something different.
The Rocky Horror Convention allows that spirit of creative freedom and collaboration to take place on stage. It is not just a regular convention, but rather a celebration of shadowcasting as an art form. The RKO Army has worked hard to build something where people can do more than just Rocky Horror. Whether it is “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” Mamma Mia or even The Room, it is a place where the community can be free and enjoy a nice four-day convention. “Cons never begin on a Wednesday, but we had so much content we had to keep backing it up,” said Rossi when discussing the schedule for this year’s anniversary. From the get-go, there is something for everyone. Thursday features events such as “Rocky’s Got Talent,” a talent show for performers to showcase skills that are not necessarily tied to Rocky Horror. There you can find karaoke, parties, and other productions. Friday carries on to include games like Shadowcast Roulette, interactive panels like “When do you put down the screen and go off-script?” and a special Friday night screening of Shock Treatment, the sister-movie of Rocky Horror.
Lastly, Saturday marks the main event. Unlike previous conventions, the final aspect of this anniversary will be held at the historic Park Theater in Cranston, offering a professional stage treatment. An all-star lineup will perform Rocky Horror, offering a variety of interpretations. “There might be 5 people doing one part in a single scene,” Rossi teases. “Everyone gets to be part of the spotlight.” That is not the end of it. Linus O’Brien, son of Richard O’Brien, creator of this beloved classic, will be in attendance. He is going to screen his film The Story of Rocky Horror at the Marriott hotel in Providence, where the convention will be hosted. It does not matter if you are new to Rocky culture or not; the heart of this convention is community and connection. “It is not just about watching something, it is about being part of it,” Rossi confesses. This is not your traditional theater experience, and it has no intention of being one.
If there is anything that people must take out of this experience, it is inspiration. “I hope people go back to their casts at home and feel inspired to do more. That is what conventions did for us,” said Rossi. Celebrating 50 years is not just a milestone but a message. If The Rocky Horror Picture Show can go on for half a decade, there is no reason why it cannot go on forever. RKO Army promises nothing but a special time for this special occasion. However, be warned that once you enter the time warp, there is no going back. •
Check out their website, rkocon.com, to see the schedule for this year’s convention