UNC Pauper Players Hosted Miscast Fundraiser
The UNC student theater group performed genderbent songs to raise money for their upcoming season.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Dance
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The UNC Pauper Players held a cabaret fundraiser titled Miscast at Hill Hall on September 24, 2026. The event featured genderbent musical performances to secure funds for the group's 2026-27 production costs.
Why it matters
The fundraiser helps the student organization cover expensive production rights and technical costs for their season. The financial success of such events determines the scope of upcoming student-led performances on campus.
The Pauper Players have been an active organization at UNC since 1989. The event featured specific performances, including five participants in the Cell Block Tango number from the musical Chicago.
The players
UNC Pauper Players
This student organization has produced theater productions at the University of North Carolina since 1989.
The details
Students performed genderbent versions of iconic songs from shows including Spring Awakening and Chicago. Beyond the performances, the group engaged attendees through the sale of stickers, keychains, and baked goods, alongside a raffle for tickets to see Hadestown.
Timeline
The Pauper Players have operated at UNC since 1989.
The Miscast fundraiser took place on September 24, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
Student theater groups like the Pauper Players often rely on cabaret-style fundraisers to manage the increasing costs of licensing professional-grade musical scripts. These events allow student organizations to sustain their operations within the highly competitive collegiate performing arts landscape.
Attendees at the fundraiser had the opportunity to support student theater while participating in raffles for local professional stage performances. The funds raised directly contribute to the availability and production quality of upcoming shows for the local Chapel Hill community.
The takeaway
Student-led fundraisers are vital for maintaining the creative independence of theater groups on campus. Participating in these events allows residents to directly influence which professional-grade musicals are brought to life by local students.
What happens next
The organization plans to produce The Rocky Horror Picture Show and We Are the Tigers as part of their 2026-27 season.
Further reading
For more information on the local arts scene, visit the Dance section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Tar Heel.
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