The Fancy Dress Committee revealed its theme as “pop art” for this year’s gala during a celebration at Upper Third-Year Village Wednesday. The pop art theme has never been done before in the organization’s 112-year history.

This year, Fancy Dress will take place in a different venue than normal. Due to renovations in the Dormeus-Warner gymnasium, the March 23 event will be held in the Student Activities Pavilion, which is located next to the Tennis Center.

The Tennis Center presented a new set of challenges. Primarily used for training and varsity competition, according to the W&L website, the center has rarely been used for non-sporting events.

“We worked closely with facilities, security and our vendors to ensure a space large enough to accommodate the community, the band and our awesome decor,” event co-chairs Maddie Simko, ‘19, and Efrosyni Daskalakis, ‘19, said in an email. “There will still be a large enough dance floor to swing dance on and a biergarten for those of age.”

Simko said Fancy Dress receives 70 percent of its revenue from ticket sales. Ticket prices begin at $110 for a full package and $60 for a half package. Packages include a T-shirt and shot glass. Students can purchase just a ticket for $45, and faculty can purchase tickets for $25. Ticket sales will begin March 11, but students can purchase tickets at the door.

For the 2017-2018 academic year, the Washington and Lee Executive Committee of the Student Body allocated $16,560 to the Fancy Dress organization, according to the EC website. This year, the organization is working on making sure all students are included despite the financial barrier.

“We want this to be an inclusive event and do not want the cost to deter some students from attending,” Simko and Daskalakis said. “Fancy Dress has partnered with some awesome organizations on campus to ensure financial aid for low-income students so that everyone can attend the event.”

Simko and Daskalakis said they are excited to see how the theme will come alive.

“We have been planning this event since September, so everything is pretty much set in stone,” they said. “If any obstacles were to arise, I’m sure it’s nothing we can’t handle, but for now it is really just finishing touches to make sure the evening runs smoothly.”