​By Elissa Hill

1. If you don’t already have a key set piece, you can probably create it from something used in the last show.
Just because you don’t have an antique hope chest doesn’t mean you can’t make one from the last show’s dog house.

2. Competing with the local school district for coveted auditorium time never gets any easier. 
Are you sure they need to set up for the jazz band concert five weeks in advance?

3. Your older sister in one show could easily become your mother or grandmother in the next. 
Age is relative in theatre, especially when you only have a small pool of actors to cast from.

4. While your musicals aren’t Broadway productions, having a live pit is something that everyone involved is proud of. 
That rival theatre group from the next town over is going to be so jealous of our live musicians this summer.

5. None of the members are in the productions for money or fame—they truly love the art of theatre, and there’s something beautiful about that. 
After all, you must really love something if you’ve spent 20 hours a week on it for the past 30 years.

6. While the people you meet can be eclectic, you’ll likely never meet a more caring, passionate, and tight-knit community. 
These people saw your awful first acting attempts and still loved you, and even taught you enough in a few years that they could cast to be the lead in a later show. That’s scary-awesome. Community theatre is the best.

By Rachel Reid 

I started out as a dancer when I was three years old. With tutus and tap shoes taking up a huge part of my childhood, I continued through high school and college while also picking up interests in musical theatre and choir. As a graduating senior starting my job search, I have come to appreciate how much I have learned from my enriching experiences in the 
arts. 

With modern society placing strong emphasis on the science, technology, engineering and medical (STEM) fields, it may be easy to forget the importance of the arts. Unlike the STEM fields, the performing arts provide unique, interactive experiences to audiences based on the expressive minds of its creators. The intrinsic value derived from the performing arts is irreplaceable and the memories shared are priceless.  Whether you have experience taking classes or simply enjoy seeing shows, everyone can get something out of supporting the performing arts. 

Here is a list of the most important things a person can gain from experiencing the arts: 

1) Dedication – The hours and hours dedicated to rehearsals demonstrate how 
practice makes perfect. Being able to commit to something and follow through to the 
finished product (e.g. a performance) helps you develop the important habit of 
finishing the tasks you start. There have been plenty of times where I’ve wanted quit 
after a long, grueling rehearsal, but the warm sense of accomplishment during the 
performances make everything worth it. 

2) Creativity – The concept of “thinking outside the box” is emphasized everywhere, 
even in the STEM fields. The performing arts promotes thinking on your feet and 
coming up with new ideas, which are valuable skills you can take with you 
throughout your life. 

3) Teamwork skills – The ability to share responsibility and work with others to 
achieve a goal is essential in almost any career. Members of dance companies, 
theatre companies, music groups, etc. all must work together to put on memorable 
performances and every single person must carry their weight to be successful.  

4) New friends – Are you interested in a particular dance class or a concert, but none 
of your friends will go with you? Who cares! Just go - you’ll meet people with the 
same interests. When I auditioned for Tapestry my freshman year, I didn’t know 
anyone but immediately made 25 new friends, which was very comforting to me 
since I was still adjusting to my new life in college. I even went to a Jonas Brothers 
concert by myself one time – I had the time of my life and I’m still in contact with the 
girls who were sitting next to me. It’s easy to make friends with people who have 
common interests! 

5) Appreciation – From an audience perspective, experiencing the performing arts 
allows you to gain a sense of appreciation for a wide variety of talent and styles. 
Attending performing arts events opens your mind and gives you new perspectives 
of different ideas. Even if an art style is not your favorite, you still can respect the 
hard work, dedication, talent and passion put into the piece.

By Laura Gates

1. Rhythm Spotlight XIII: January 30-31, 2016 3pm-midnight in 126 White Building 
Rhythm Spotlight has been a RAM Squad tradition for 13 years, and is now one of the biggest jams 
in the new year! The competition is split into a 2v2 B-boy tournament and a 1v1 All Styles 
competition. 5$ to compete, free to come and support. B-Boy Judges are Ryan “Napalm” Wagner 
(Beat Whackz, Lionz of Zion), Anthony “Illz” Put (Lionz of Zion, Ground Illusions), and Tony “YNOT” 
(Rock Steady Crew). Allstyles Judges are Jaja Vankova (SYTYCD, I.Am.Me, Cirque du Soleil), Lil’ 
Machine (Street Kingdom), and Firelock (UnortholockX). This year there will also be Sunday 
workshops with Jaja, Lil Machine, Firelock and Ynot. Full schedule yet to come. 

2. Penn State Best Dance Crew : February 6, 2016
Hosted by Infusion, Penn State Best Dance Crew is a competition event to showcase dance 
organizations. In the past, Tapestry Dance Company, R.A.M. Squad, Penn State International 
Dance Ensemble (PSIDE), Penn State JaDhoom, Peace. Love. Lyrical. Dance Company, Volé, 
Urban Dance Troupe, Natya, Ambitions, and Penn State Belly Dance Club all took part in the event. 
Admission is also free! More info to come! 

3. THON 2016: February 19-21, 2016 in Bryce Jordan Center 
Even though there’s lots of things going on during THON weekend, it also happens to be one of 
the biggest events for Penn State performing arts groups. All weekend dance groups will be 
performing their best on stage, so make sure to check them out and support your favorite dance 
orgs at THON! 

4. Keystone Dancesport Classic: March 19, 2016 all day in 126 White Building 
Keystone DanceSport Classic has been going on for more than a decade, hosting a ballroom dance 
competition and professional performances. Tal Livshitz and Ilana Keselman are returning with Latin 
show this year and Ruslan and Katusha Wilder are joining us with a Standard show for the first time. 
You can also sign up to perform at the event online at keystonedancesportclassic.com. After the 
performances and competitions on Saturday, judges will host workshops and private lessons for the 
rest of the weekend. Pre-competition dance and registration events will take place on Friday night, 
March 18th from 7-11 pm in 126 White Building (same room as the competition). The competition is 
hosted by and at Penn State University where ballroom has been taught since the 1950s. The Penn 
State Ballroom Dance Club is excited to organize another year of Keystone Classic, creating a high 
quality, unique, and exciting experience that is true to the Penn State spirit.

5. Infusion: March 19, 2016 in Eisenhower Auditorium
Infusion is an intercollegiate fusion/Hindi film dance competition to be held on March 19, 2016 at 
Eisenhower Auditorium. Proceeds benefit the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance MaraTHON. 
Teams from all around the nation will compete for the chance to win a $3000 cash prize and bid 
points to the national championship: Bollywood America. After many months of hard work and 
dedication, teams will showcase their talents through a variety of dance styles, including Bollywood, 
Hip-Hop, Bhangra, classical, Raas and more in their pursuit to be crowned one of the most 
entertaining dance teams in the country. Don’t miss out on the most colossal dance competition of 
the year!