You may be wondering if the University of Rochester offers performing arts opportunities for students. The answer is yes. Whether you are interested in dance, a cappella, or musical theatre, URochester has it all. These groups usually work out of school hours rehearsing different numbers and improving their skills. As a member of the Ballet Performance Group (BPG), I am able to continue doing what I love besides my studies: dance. Not only that, but once a semester, I perform with my group in the Strong Auditorium, located on the River Campus.
So, what is it like during a performance week?
November is a busy month with midterms wrapping up, but also with all of the performances going on. In BPG we label our tech week as “hell week.” When we are not in class or studying in the library, we are moving into auditorium, working with lighting, costumes, etc. each day of this week is dedicated to a different portion of the tech process. By Thursday of that week, all of the
dances are cleaned and ready to be performed with costumes, which is something we like to call dress rehearsal. Personally, this is my favorite day of the week pre-show because it is the first time we get to see all of the costumes and lighting come together. Truly, this is a magical and rewarding experience.
A unique thing about performing for the school is that all of our lighting, sound, and technical design is done by other students specializing in those fields. The costumes are all picked out by the Costume Director on our e-board and the choreography is all directed by student choreographers.
Once we reach show day by the end of the week, there is so much excitement in the air. Dress rehearsal helps to get all of the last minute jitters out of the way, and test runs the whole show, so we know exactly what to expect. My favorite part of preparing for the show is when we are behind the closed curtain, trying to gauge how many people are in the audience. The chatter coming from the other side of the curtain excites me. The audience is usually filled with a wide range of people. Many students, faculty, parents/families, and other organizations. A big part of student group performances at URochester is the cosponsorship opportunity. For our show, we have other performance groups, academic groups, and other clubs who cosponsor our shows and bring enough people from their group to fill the audience. In turn, we also go to support their shows and events. This truly speaks to the supportive community URochester builds around the arts. We put a lot of time into making the performances happen each semester and it fills us with so much gratitude for the support we receive.
Before the show as well, dancers received carnations which are purchased by their friends, families, and other members of the club. When we walk into our dressing rooms on show day, they are at our places. This is also a special tradition that shows the amount of support we receive as a group.
Finally, at 8 p.m., the audience quiets down, and the curtain opens. The lights turn on, and the music begins. As we begin dancing, we are face to face with the audience and we can finally get a glimpse of who is present. The applause after each number is thunderous, and to me it is one of the best sounds in the world.
After twenty numbers and a finale number, it is time for the curtain to close. As it closes, we scream BPG several times and cheer, as we just completed another show. Next, we head out to the audience to be greeted by the audience members. As I head out, I am greeted by my family, who make the eight-hour drive each semester, my friends who were eager for me to finally have more free time, and even people I have never met, congratulating me.
Even though dance is not my area of study, it is something that defines me and provides me with a creative outlet, something that is so important to have in college. BPG has been a pivotal time for me at URochester. It has also been incredible to support other performing groups, who also put so much work into their art throughout the semester.
Whether you are interested in a performance group or simply want to go support other students perform, URochester is the place for you!
