With the fall semester kicking into gear, three student-run organizations, Black Voices Gospel Choir, Terpsichore dance company and Lab Rats Comedy are hosting auditions for freshmen and upperclassmen attending Mississippi State University.
The Black Voices Gospel Choir of MSU interacts with the Golden Triangle through song and community service. It is holding its auditions from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Aug. 29 and 30 in the Chapel of Memories. The choir encourages any MSU students with the ability to pitch match, sing parts and love God to audition.
Zierra Long, Black Voices Gospel Choir’s president, has fond memories of her time in the organization, and is dedicated to creating a welcoming atmosphere for all students.
“One thing that helped me become involved in BV was that no other organizations went out their way to inform/persuade me to join,” Long said. “Plus, I felt as if the people in the choir could relate to my love for singing and commitment to the Christian lifestyle I’m trying to live.”
MSU’s Black Voices Gospel Choir was formed in 1972 by Ronnie E. Dottory in preparation of Black History Week, and the organization now boasts over 40 years of community service. In honor of their first performance in February of 1972 at Lee Hall, an annual concert is held in Lee Hall to commemorate the success, and overflowing crowds show support for the choir.
The Terpsichore Dance Theatre Company at MSU, a newer but equally as energetic group on campus, is hosting its fall auditions Aug. 29 and 31. The dance company members learn multiple styles of dance and meet three days a week as they prepare for several mini-performances throughout the year and a large show at the end of the year.
Laura Sullivan, president of the Terpsichore Dance Theatre Company, said the organization is very welcoming, but usually requires most members to have a background in dance.
“Terpsichore is the perfect group to join if you grew up dancing and want to continue in college,” Sullivan said. “This group has given me some of my closest friends and the perfect place to forget all the stresses of school and life to just dance.”
Auditions will be held in the Sanderson, which sports a slick floor unsafe for en pointe, and will consist of barre work, center work and an original 30-second piece of the performer’s own choreography.
There is an audition fee of $5, and the dress code is a leotard, tights and the dancer’s most comfortable shoes. Tight-fitting shorts will also be allowed, and hair must be pulled away from the face.
Sullivan encourages anyone with a passion for dance to follow in her footsteps and find a family with the Terpsichore DTC.
“I love dancing and expressing myself through dance, so when I found out about Terpsichore, I knew it was the place for me,” Sullivan said.
Lab Rats Comedy, MSU’s only improvisation group for 10 years, is holding final auditions Aug. 27 and 28 at 7 p.m. in Moseley Hall. Lab Rats is open to any and all majors, and performs five times a semester—two of which are held on McComas’ main stage.
Luke Lutz, Lab Rats’ short form director, became a member of Lab Rats in the spring of 2017 and uses the club as his creative outlet.
“I have been involved on campus for the past three years with a variety of student groups across campus, and no other group has given the same opportunity to express myself the way Lab Rats has,” Lutz said.
Since Lab Rats practices are only held for one hour twice a week, of which members must only attend one session, the organization is compatible with most schedules.
Lutz encourages anyone with doubts to overcome their stage fright and audition anyway.
“At first it’s terrifying thinking about just going on stage with no plan of what is going to happen, with the goal of entertaining an audience, but the crazy thing is literally anyone can do it,” Lutz said. “It’s all about going up there and having fun, because no matter what you do, if you have fun, the audience will, too.”