Groups sat in tense silence with arms entwined as they awaited the In/Out announcement for “In the Nick of Time,” the 60th annual Rock Chalk Revue production. As the executive director of the production finished reading the names of the shows that made it in to the revue, groups either broke down in tears or ran from the building in excitement. Some did both.

After spending countless hours writing scripts, designing costumes and recording songs, the Rock Chalk directors for Kappa Sigma fraternity learned they missed the mark again this year. The last time Kappa Sigma made it into the show was in 1988, but that didn’t stop the fraternity from trying again this year.

Robby House, Salina sophomore and one of Kappa Sigma’s directors, said he was disappointed, but he said the fraternity would “absolutely” try again next year.

“Either way, the philanthropy is going to get done, so that’s great,” House said.

Groups had to complete plans for their shows before finding out whether they had been selected. Only five of the 11 groups that tried out for the production will perform when the show hits the stage in March.

Andrew Calver, Overland Park sophomore and Rock Chalk director for Kappa Sigma, said the number of hours each group spent working on its shows made the process challenging.

“I’ve put in an obscene amount of work,” Calver said. “It’s taken over my life.”

Calver said Kappa Sigma was hopeful this year because it had members with the talent and desire to perform. He said the fraternity had put a lot of work into what it saw as an original idea.

A variety of factors, such as the talent level in other groups, could be responsible for Kappa Sigma missing out on making Rock Chalk Revue for the past 20 years, Calver said.

“It’s hard to point a finger at one thing or another,” he said. “One way or another we’ve fallen short of the mark every year.”

Kevin Campbell, Leawood senior and executive producer of Rock Chalk Revue, said fraternities and sororities continued applying despite all the work because getting into the show marked their chapters as some of the top chapters on campus.

Although Campbell said the directors put in a lot of work, he said the three members of each chapter chosen to be directors enjoyed working on the show and often felt pride at being selected by their chapter to lead the show.

“You’re viewed as kind of heroic by the people in your house,” Campbell said.

Calver said making it into the show would have brought respect and recognition to Kappa Sigma. He said he still recognized the lead performers from previous shows when he saw them around Lawrence.

“If you put on a really good show, people will smile upon your name,” Calver said.

The proceeds from Rock Chalk Revue benefit the United Way of Douglas County. Last year the program donated more than $38,000, and this year it is almost halfway to its goal of $60,000.

Three Rock Chalk directors from every fraternity and sorority plan the show for their groups. Kappa Sigma worked with Alpha Gamma Delta sorority on its production. The directors must attend weekly meetings beginning in September and turn in a portion of their show every week for five weeks.

The final turn-in is a notebook that outlines the script, set, costumes and characters for the show. After the notebooks were turned in on Nov. 7, the groups must participate in two interviews in which they perform a five-minute skit and answer questions about their show.

On top of planning the show, every group must complete enough community service hours equal to three hours per member before they turn in a notebook. The groups must complete an additional three hours per member to participate in an awards ceremony in the spring.

Rock Chalk Revue will take place Mar. 5, 6 and 7 at the Lied Center.