So I think in my last post, where I introduced myself, I mentioned I’m a double major. Dance and Theatre, that’s my thing. I absolutely love being on stage, whether in the ensemble or dancing a solo. I thrive on the rehearsal process, bonding with other artists: I live for the thrill of opening night, and can remember every detail of every final bow of every show I’ve ever been part of since I was a child.
But as anyone whose involved with the arts knows, there is so much more to the stage than that. There are sets, costumes, lights, there is marketing, producing, and choreographing. One of the things about Dean that I love is the opportunities I have to explore as many of those different avenues to artistic fulfillment as possible. More about those other avenues later: for now, let’s talk about performing.
This semester is chalk full of performance opportunities for the theatrically minded. In 12 days our first dance concert of the semester, “Choreographer’s Concert,” will be performed. It features the works of student choreographers, and is adjudicated by a panel of guest performers/choreographers/artists. The following weekend the School of the Arts production will go up – “Romeo & Juliet.” In the midst of all this, there were auditions for Dance Team Show, an annual event sponsored by the Dean College Dance Team. The theme this year was “the process,” and student created works are at this moment being deliberated on by the E-board of the student run dance team.
After that there is the Spring musical, “Godspell,” and the Synergy Show (Synergy is our on campus Hip Hop team and they also sponsor a performance each year in the spring), and then Company, which is the culmination performance of the School of the Arts. I promise to write more about each individual performance as the dates get closer: as the resident-crazy-person (aka double major) I’m fairly involved with every production that happens on campus.
And let’s figure out just how many shows that is, shall we? Between Move-In day on January 22nd and Graduation on May 11th, there are approximately 15 weeks. OK, we all know that the week before graduation is finals, so let’s shave a week off shall we? So that makes 14 weeks. In 14 weeks the combined forces of the Theatre Department and The School of Dance put on about 6 shows (the musical, the straight play, choreographers showcase, the two club sponsored shows, and Company). That means every 2.3 weeks there is another live performance happening on one of the Dean College stages!
I don’t know about you all, but that math is pretty amazing to me! Even if you’re not involved as a performer/technical team member it means there is something interesting, live, and peer based to do on campus on those weekends. Thats without including school sponsored events! The live performance culture here is definitely one of my favorite things. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m currently feeling really pumped about how creative this semester is going to be.
Talk to you soon!
Leilani
HELLO EVERYONE! So, what are you doing this Wednesday-Sunday? (Your answer should be “Seeing Godspell at Dean College, of course!”) Godspell opens tomorrow, and runs until Sunday, with two shows on Saturday. Our shows are selling out, so get your tickets ASAP! I’m so excited to share this amazing show and experience with everyone! It’s my last show here at Dean, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be apart of it. I don’t want it to end!
