Hippodrome

Hippodrome is a celebration of the arts and features the creative talents of Wichita State Shockers! Students interested in participating in Hippodrome can do so in the following ways: 1) Create a Skit, 2) Showcase a Talent, or 3) Emcee the Show. The 94th Annual Hippodrome will feature these perfromances in the Skit & Talent Competition on April 8, 2022 at 7 p.m. in the CAC Theater. Groups participating in the Skit Competition will perform a 15 to 20 minute scripted performance with the use of this year's theme: Children's Books. The top three winners of the Skit Competition will receive awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, as well as individual awards for Best Actor, Best Use of Mystery Item and Spirit. The talent competition will be hosted in conjunction with the skit competition. Performers will take the stage between skit performances and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will take home cash prizes up to $150.

Hippodrome first appeared in 1928 where students and organizations were invited to enter a stunt competition for a ten dollar prize.  This traditional week used to be a one-day event but has since dramatically grown to include a full week’s worth of activities. The early years saw such events as wrestling and boxing matches, organizational booths and a country store. Hippodrome has been cancelled twice since its inception, once during WWII and the most recent during the coronavirus pandemic beginning in 2020. This year, Hippodrome returns to it's original form as a one-day event.