UMW’s Performing Arts Company: Where every student can find their place on the stage

ALANAH MULLER

Staff Writer

College is a big adjustment, it opens the door to a world of new opportunities. It can be hard to figure out what hobbies and clubs you want to pursue, especially with over 150 clubs offered for students to join. In finding my place at UMW, one organization stood out to me: UMW’s Performing Arts Company, the largest student-run dance organization on campus. As a dancer growing up, I knew I wanted to continue in college, and PAC provides dance opportunities to all dancers no matter their experience.

I danced five days a week for eight years growing up, and I have always had a deep love of dance. When I saw PAC at Club Carnival, I had a feeling it would be exactly what I wanted. When I went to the auditions and was able to meet so many people involved in PAC, I could tell it would be a welcoming environment. Ever since starting PAC, it has been such a fun and exciting part of coming to UMW, and I always look forward to rehearsals. 

One of the first activities I did upon starting my freshman year was auditioning for PAC, and I am now dancing in one performance at Big Show. I have found that this club has been something that has only enriched my life since coming to UMW in August of this year. PAC opens you up to new experiences and creates an environment to bond with the other dancers in your group and the club overall. Growing up I met some of my best friends in dance, and have seen firsthand how incredible a bond is among dancers. PAC is an environment that is kind and inviting and creates a space for making friends.

PAC provides an opportunity to perform in front of an audience. PAC’s process involves an audition and selection process for participation in one to three dances, depending on the student’s schedule. Weekly rehearsals last about one hour per dance, where the choreographers, who are all students or faculty advisors, teach and go over the dance. At the beginning of auditions, dancers will be able to give their time availability to the officers, and when selected for a dance they will try to make sure the time chosen for rehearsal is most convenient for everyone.

PAC is overseen by its faculty advisor, UMW alumna, and Program Counselor with the Rappahannock Scholars Program, Shanita Mitchell. She has been a part of the organization since her sophomore year in 2009. Following her graduation in 2012, she continued as an alumni advisor with PAC, and since 2019 she has been the official faculty advisor. 

Talking with Mitchell, it is easy to see how much she loves the art of dance and performing. 

“I think that dance has a variety of things that it helps to accomplish like it helps to keep students active, like health and wellness overall,” she said. “It gives a creative outlet and then it is just therapeutic as there is something wonderful about releasing those endorphins and also getting the opportunity to maybe explore different characters and personalities, I will say personally I usually do things that are very theatrical so I give all my dancers the opportunity to step into the shoes of someone else.” 

Senior linguistics major and PAC President Emma Sanford has been involved in the organization since her freshman year in the fall of 2021. This is her seventh semester as a member of PAC, and it is clear how much she loves the organization. 

“I am so grateful to have an outlet with which I can continue my love for dancing and performing, and to be able to learn new things like choreographing or dancing different styles,” she said. “I also really love how PAC has been the reason for meeting so many of my friends that I love dearly.”

Sanford encourages freshmen interested in dance to audition for PAC.  

“PAC is such a great opportunity to continue or learn dance, perform, and make many many friends,” she said. “If you’re hesitant to audition in the future, we welcome all UMW students to attend our workshops so you can get a feel for the studios, new dance styles and the PAC community.” 

PAC also hosts weekly free dance workshops by PAC members and alumni which tend to last about 45 minutes. Even if students are not interested in committing for the whole semester, these workshops are a good chance to get some dance experience and connect with other dancers. 

PAC offers three performance opportunities, Small Show and two Big Show performances. According to the UMW PAC website, Small Show is described as “Our Small Show is a free event that is held in the middle of the semester. This production showcases the talents of PAC choreographers in addition to UMW performing clubs alike.” Small Show is a lower-profile event that is free to all and a chance for everyone to see the hard work put on by dancers. Furthermore, it describes “Big Show” as “Our Big Show is held in Dodd Auditorium at the end of every semester and consists of student and alumni-choreographed pieces. This is a large-scale production that members audition, and rehearse for the entire semester.” 

PAC Small Show will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 9 at Dodd Auditorium and “Big Show” performances are on Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 10 at 2 p.m.