For nearly every student actor, singer, dancer or musician at Penn, there is at least one organization in which they can showcase their talents.
In the next few weeks, each of the 42 Performing Arts Council groups will hold their own set of auditions -- all in search of new talent to complement that which is already in place.
For those who may be considering joining one of these groups -- or for any patron of the arts, for that matter -- the following is a brief overview of Penn's vast number of performance groups.
• Theater: Penn boasts eight PAC-recognized theater groups, which stage an average of two shows per year.
Performances range from Penn Players' Broadway musicals to PenNaatak's South Asian-oriented plays.
Most theater groups hold new auditions for each show, a process which allows more students the opportunity to step into the limelight.
• Dance: Students hoping to swing, tap or pirouette their way through college, look no further. Any dance lover -- whether a novice or a veteran -- can find their niche in at least one of these 12 very different dance groups.
Dance groups range from cultural ones, such as African Rhythms, Onda Latina and the Pan-Asian Dance Group, to those which incorporate more club-like moves, such as Strictly Funk and Destination Hip Hop.
• A Cappella: Penn's performing arts scene features an ever-growing number of a cappella groups. These singers are unique in that their only accompaniment is their own voices.
While some a cappella groups have deep roots, such as Penn Pipers, founded in 1950, there have been several recent additions to the a cappella scene at Penn -- including an all-male Hindi group known as Penn Masala.
But hopefuls beware -- these 12 a cappella groups usually consist of only 10 to 15 people, which means that competition is fierce, even for the most talented vocalists.
• Music Groups and Comedy Troupes: From the civic-minded Penn Musicians Against Homelessness to the comical Mask and Wig, Penn certainly has a wide array of opportunities in this category for actors and musicians alike.
Without a Net tackles the difficult art of improvisational comedy, while other groups, such as the all-female comedy team Bloomers, provide the audience with scripted -- but still hearty -- laughs.
Keep an eye out for all of these groups on Freshman Performing Arts Night, Sept. 5 and 6. Tickets are required.
