Whether you're a diva or set designer, in this 10,000-strong jungle of performers, artists, athletes, and intellectuals, it can be tough to figure out which stage to call home.
No problem. Penn's Freshman Performing Arts Night will feature each of the 46 groups recognized by the University's Performing Arts Council.
With auditions for most groups being held over the coming weeks, Freshman Performing Arts Night is an opportunity for both freshman and upperclassmen alike to get to know the names, faces, and souls of the many groups on campus.
n Theater: From completely student-produced and directed performances to the opportunity to work under the tutelage of theater professionals, the eight PAC-funded theater groups offer students the best of both worlds. For performances that strike a social chord, check out the Front Row Theater Company. Cultural exploration takes enter stage for PenNaatak, Penn's only South Asian theater group, Teatron, which focuses on Jewish theater, and the African American Arts Alliance.
Also, don't miss the avant-garde performances of iNtuitons or the professionalism of the Pennsylvania Players, seasoned by almost seventy years of campus performances.
Most campus theater groups stage one production per semester.
n Dance: For those students who plan to two-step and waltz down the harrowed halls of our University, there are 13 PAC-funded dance groups. You can bring down the house with Strictly Funk, get caught up in the big-band energy of the West Philly Swingers or push the frontier of modern expression with Penn Dance.
Many groups boast a rich cultural heritage, like Dhakma, an all-male South Asian dance troupe and African Rhythms, as well as Yofi!, which features Israeli dance, and the fiery Onda Latina.
While the Soundworks Tap Factory infuses Broadway, ballet, and Irish music with tap, the Sparks Dance Company strives to connect dance to community service.
n A cappella: More than just the venerable guardians of harmony and publicity on Locust Walk, the 13 PAC-funded a capella groups represent a myriad of musical styles with talent to spare. Hindi group Penn Masala performs English and Bollywood hits, while The Inspiration celebrates the legacy of Black Music. Pennsylvania Six 5000, recently readmitted to PAC after a one year hiatus, combines music and sketch comedy.
The Penny Loafers feature current rock and pop tunes while the Counterparts, Penn's first coed group, focuses on jazz and pop. Pennchants and Off the Beat are also popular a cappella groups.
Full Measure, a Christian group, Atma, the all-female group focusing on south Asian music and the all-female Quaker Notes deepen the variety of a capella genres.
Despite such variety, competition to these organizations is steep, as they usually carry only 10-15 members.
n Music groups and comedy troupes:
Whether you're a fervent disciple of Chapelle or an aficionado of opera, you're sure to find a forum for creative expression at Penn. While the Penn Singers perform light opera, the historic all-male Mask and Wig Club and all-female Bloomers deliver a heavy dose of musical farce. Founded in 1862, The Glee Club is no less storied, and brings a repertoire of songs to audiences of all ages. Since 1897, the Penn Band has entertained audiences at athletics events and around campus.
Don't forget to check out Simply Chaos, Penn's only stand-up comedy group, and Without a Net, which focuses on improvisational comedy.
Sandwiched between music and comedy but every bit as worthy of mention is the Excelano project -- a community of bold and candid young poets who deliver their message by the spoken word.
Freshman Performing Arts Night is set over two nights, Sept. 9 and 10, at 7 p.m. It takes place in the Zellerbach Theatre at the Annenberg Center, located at 3680 Walnut Street. Tickets are $5 for new students, and $7 for upperclassmen.
