Ben Miller
Layout Editor
Franciscan University of Steubenville students experienced a night at the movies on the Finnegan Fieldhouse lawn Thursday as they watched “The Greatest Showman.”
Moviegoers were greeted outside the fieldhouse with the sight of a new inflatable screen, purchased by Exc!te. On a picnic table, snacks and bottled waters were provided by Exc!te, which hosted the event as part of a push to encourage more outdoor activity on campus.
The movie began at 8:40 p.m. after a short delay caused by audio issues. A few minutes into the movie, three members of the Exc!te staff emerged from behind the screen and scaled a ladder to drape a black table cloth over a lamppost next to the screen. The audience applauded in appreciation for their efforts to improve the viewing experience.
The movie was attended by nearly three dozen students and religious. One student, senior Jillian Hazel, had the experience of watching the movie for the first time.
“It was a great way to kick (the semester) off,” said Hazel, while thanking Franciscan and Exc!te for the movie night.
The Sycamore Youth Center, located on Fourth Street, hosted a family movie night Friday night where they also showed “The Greatest Showman.” Senior Isaac Iniguez, president of Exc!te, said the group didn’t know someone else was hosting a similar event. The night went down as a success, despite the coincidence, Iniguez said.
“What a great turnout to the first movie night,” said Iniguez. “I can’t wait to come back for more movie nights!”
Exc!te hosts weekly meetings Wednesdays in the St. Margaret room for students who are interested in helping to plan campus events.
The next movie in the program will be “Jurassic Park,” which will be shown Thursday, Sept. 23.