The “Collage” show has been part of the Elon University music theater program for the past 15 years, allowing students to express their love for popular Broadway hits and other dance-worthy songs. Dressed in all black, music theater majors will make compilations of musical numbers that range from Elvis Presley to “Footloose” and make them their own with the help of other students in the “Collage” program.
There will be four showings — two Sept. 27 and two Sept. 28, at 7 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. both nights — in Yeager Recital Hall during Family Weekend.
“Music theater majors select possible songs that they would want to perform and then they put together the number by selecting other [music theater students] to be in it, musically directing the number, choreographing it, directing it,” said senior Chris McNiff, the show's artistic director. “These numbers are then auditioned for the [music theater] faculty and certain ones are chosen to make a cohesive night of entertainment.”
Once students finished performing “Grand Night” in April, they dove into “Collage” rehearsals. Since the semester ended soon after, serious rehearsals didn’t start until classes began in August.
Sophomores, juniors and seniors were given the chance to create a performance in “Collage.” Many students will participate in multiple performances — some up to three or four times — throughout the evening.
In the spring, freshmen will be able to perform in “Grand Night,” a similar show. Each grade does its own group performance in addition to pieces done with small, individually chosen groups. While the students have the ability to choose the songs they want to compile, faculty members are available for help and support.
The final song in this year's “Collage” will be “I Will Turn to You,” written by Elon alumni Dan Gibson and Chris Staskel. April Hill, director of “Collage” and adjunct instructor, said it’s a very sentimental song for everyone involved in the show and all of the performers in each class are involved in the piece.
“‘Collage’ is a wonderful tradition that kicks off the new year and is a fun way to welcome the freshmen into our program and an exciting evening for [Family Weekend], as well as for other students and faculty on campus,” McNiff said.
Hill said she was excited and optimistic about “Collage” this year. The show usually attracts a large audience, since it is always planned for Family Weekend. The show’s chosen songs include tracks from popular musicals such as “The Wedding Singer,” “Anastasia,” “The Color Purple” and many more.
“Every year, I am amazed at the line of people in the Center for the Arts who are waiting to see if they can get into the performance,” Hill said. “The small room limits the number of seats — around 135 — but it really creates an intimate atmosphere for the performance. You feel as if you are a part of the performance when you are watching. The performers are amazing and this is a wonderful chance to see the talent we have here in the Elon music theater department before they head on to Broadway.”
McNiff and many other seniors have been through this for a few years, so they know how to make sure it runs smoothly and is ready for Family Weekend.
“I am someone who was in many of the numbers last year and have put some of the numbers together and know how this type of a revue should look and run,” McNiff said. “Therefore, my job is to make sure every number has been polished and is in good shape this year and flows with the rest of the show.”
Besides the occasional addition of a prop, the show will focus on students’ voices and acting talent.
“It is a great opportunity to be able to display the talents of the music theater department and show the public the types of things that we work on and are proud of,” McNiff said.