Alexandra Rumford, Special to The Denisonian—
Blindsides, subterfuge, and backstabbing abound in the past and current season of Denison Survivor. A student-founded organization dedicated to creating a community of like-minded and drama-loving individuals, Denison Survivor is in its 6th season and has no plans of ceasing anytime soon. Survivor (the Denison Edition) was originally founded three years ago and chaperoned through its early stages by Noah Chartier ‘25, who is a surprise contestant on the current season.
Denison Survivor is a quasi-game show with live challenges, online games hosted through Discord, and fierce competition. Challenges include Crossy Road, Temple Run, Papa’s Pizzeria and more. Competitors have to fight in order to earn immunity, but fake idols and trickery have led to more than one surprise ousting. By the end of the season, there are two finalists who must present their case in front of a tribunal of former contestants. Players record and post tribunals, share in their confessionals, and make or break alliances, all while spectators on Discord watch with bated breath.
Ethan James ‘27, a contestant from Season 5, had one piece of advice for castaways: “Never trust anyone.”
Despite the passion and competition that characterizes Survivor contestants, the community that develops between contestants spans years. Castaways reminisce on their favorite moments, which range from straight up lies to inane strategizing that led to the expulsion of an innocent crewmember.
“Denison Survivor: A Journey Through Candyland” kicked off on Friday, Feb. 2, in the dining room of Huffman with countless bags of candy and laughter. If this sounds like Clue setup to you, you’re on the right track– the Codes & Ciphers Team, one of the four production teams running the show, has been working overtime to create an environment that allows for maximum enjoyment.
Their challenges include logistical organization, accessibility and keeping the game running smoothly. The many moving parts of the game require flexibility and an innate ability to create. Players, too, get to “explore their castaway personas,” Cassidy Crane ‘24 said.
Theatrics abound as castaways decide whether they want to play the role of a villain, hero or unaffiliated survivor. The ideal winning strategy is unknown.
“Either I survive or I don’t,” Alix Sanden ‘27 said, capturing the boiled down essence of Survivor.
Fostering creativity, community and silliness are the main goals of the production team. They aim to recreate the fun that they experienced as castaways but better, for another group of
people. Chartier said that the behind-the-scenes is just as crucial as what’s occurring on the
Island
“We [the production team] take our silliness very seriously,” Chartier said.
Spectators who are curious about what’s happening can tune in to the Denison Survivor Discord server, watch the Youtube channel confessionals or follow the Denison Survivor Instagram. If you’re interested in joining the next season, contact Noah Chartier at [email protected].