Year in Preview: Art Comes Alive in Cedarville

Cedarville students have many opportunities throughout the year to exhibit their talents. Some students choose art, music or drama to do so. Others choose comedy or dance. And still others choose spraypaint. Prepare to be entertained, whether on campus, at the Opera House in town or simply by looking at a rock.

STP performances often attract large audiences to Alford Auditorium. (Photo: Caleb Smith)

Senior Theater Projects

More commonly known as STPs, these projects are done by students in place of an internship to complete their theatre major. STPs range from set and costume design to writing, directing or choreographing an entire play. Some favorites are the free-admission plays in Alford Auditorium, the white building just past the Cedar Cliff school building across the street. Be sure to get there early, as seats often fill up fast. And prepare to laugh your socks off, cry a river or spend the entire night on the edge of your seat. From sign language to the Queen of Hearts, we’ve seen it all. Or have we? Here’s to celebrating an abundance of talent this year!

DTR entertains students with its improv comedy routines. (Photo: Jillian Philyaw)

DTR Comedy Org

DTR is Cedarville’s top-notch comedy org. They will make you laugh like you’ve never laughed before – but only if you’re there in time to get a seat. These shows tend to fill up quickly – so quickly, in fact, that additional shows have been added in previous years for the overflow audience to enjoy another night. Performing mostly improv comedy, each show is never the same – or performed in the same order. Take their Chaos show, for example. DTR races against the clock to perform 30 skits in a random order determined by the audience. It usually ends up in, well, chaos. Attending a DTR show is a sure way to relieve stress, make some memories and ensure you don’t take yourself too seriously.

The Inversions perform a cappella music every semester at the Opera House. Pictured above are the 2013-2014 members. (Photo provided by The Inversions)

Off Campus at the Opera House

Whether it’s a concert by the university’s student-run a cappella group The Inversions or a variety performance by the dance org AYO, there are many student-friendly events held each semester at Cedarville’s Opera House. The Opera House may have been built before indoor plumbing was a “thing,” but watching a performance here is an experience every student should have. It’s chilling, really, when The Inversions sing their traditional “Down to the River to Pray” while standing in the balcony above you. And you never know who you’ll see dancing – or rather, what types of dances you’ll see – at AYO showcases. Will AYO members do the robot, dance the jig or choose classic ballet? To top it off, admission to these events is just a few dollars. Support your friends, enjoy art and celebrate a literal piece of history by visiting the Opera House!

The Rock for ALT Night Monsters University. (Photo: Jillian Philyaw)

The Rock

You never know what you may wake up to see on Cedarville’s signature rock. We thought we had seen that all too, but then a rendition of Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” showed up. The rock often serves as an advertisement billboard for student organizations or a welcome banner to campus guests. But, really, it is a place where students express themselves via spray paint. The rock may go from being a multi-colored face one day to being all black with just a few words on it the next. Or it may go from being a rock to a chunk of ice. The possibilities seem to be endless. Check it off your Cedarville bucket list – create.

Anna Dembowski is a junior journalism major and managing editor/arts & entertainment editor for Cedars. She likes nearly anything that is the color purple and enjoys spelling the word “agathokakological.”