Written by Isaiah Smart

 

Standout students of the Arts department will grace the stage to showcase their talents in VSU’s Emerging Arts Showcase this weekend.

 

Today begins a weekend full of performances by students skilled in dance and general theatre that will be hosted in the Fine Arts Building.

 

The Emerging Artists Showcase begins with The Musical & Reader’s Theatre Showcase today and will also take place Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

 

“The musical theatre showcase features 3 graduating seniors who sing, act and dance,” Christopher Bailey, assistant professor of musical theatre, said. “This performance includes new material to the students, and this has been a several month process.”

 

These senior students have worked endlessly to perfect these performances, and will get a chance to express themselves through their art for their peers.

 

Some of the choreographers began creating routines at the end of last semester, and some started at the beginning of this semester.

 

“Most dances take some time to create, and are sometimes torn apart to be reconstructed into the desired choreographed dance,” Darius Jackson, senior choreographer, said. “Choreography is a craft, and we are working towards creating dances as both art and entertainment.”

 

The Student Choreography Showcase occurs Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday 3 p.m., respectively.

 

The choreography showcase will feature eight senior choreographers alongside nine juniors.

 

There will be 17 performances that will represent contemporary ballet to modern, musical theatre, African and hip-hop.

 

According to Baily, students are graded in the categories of leadership, rehearsal etiquette, participation, artistic elegance and collaborative behavior.

 

Professors assisted in creation and and final performance by working with the students in order help hone their ideas into a properly executed piece.

Classmates are also vital to this process as performances critique their peers in the department while pieces are created. There are additionally other roles that students take on like casting, editing, and lighting cues.

 

While the general Musical Theatre showcase is a yearly event, the choreography showcase cycles every other school year.

 

Following standard ticket pricing, the shows are free for VSU students with a valid ID.

 

“The event is free, but a ticket can be placed on hold for a refundable $5.00 at the box office. The box office is on the first floor of the Fine Arts building, open daily from 2-5,” Bailey, said.

 

All shows will be held in Sawyer Theatre located on the first floor of the Fine Arts Building.

 

For more information visit the Fine Arts Building or email jwheeler@valdosta.edu.