If you are a performer, you have the opportunity to start the fall semester off on the right foot, or note, depending on your talent.

Orchesis, The Contemporary Dance Company and the International Dancers, three student dance companies on campus, will be holding auditions during the next two weeks.

Orchesis' auditions will begin with a mandatory meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday in room 132 White Building. They will continue Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

The Contemporary Dance Company will hold auditions September 6 and 8; exact times will be announced.

The Penn State International Dancers auditions for dancers, musicians and singers began with a meeting last night.

Orchesis, whose name, when translated from Greek, means "the art of dance," is a 30 member dance company in which students see their own ideas develop from simple concepts into choreographed, costumed and lighted performances.

"They have an opportunity to pursue dance choreography," said Pat Heigel Tanner, faculty advisor to the group. "It's a good experience. They get to see how it works from start to finish."

All members, except for the three nominated officers, must re-audition each year, but Heigel-Tanner invites all men and women with a background in dance to try out.

Selections, determined by the officers and faculty advisor, will be made based on the dancers' skill, ability to learn and perform the expression of a dance sequence, and creativity of spontaneous improvisations. No advance preparation is necessary.

"Orchesis is all forms of dance modern, ballet, tap and jazz," Heigel-Tanner said. "It also takes a lot of time and dedication. We're not just a club, because we have auditions. It's for those who want to dance and dedicate the time." Once a dancer has qualified as an Orchesis member, the year-round commitment, work and development begins. Orchesis holds bi-weekly meetings in addition to rehearsals and company functions.

Orchesis has two annual performances, one during the fall semester and one during the spring. While developing, preparing and rehearsing dance numbers, the dancers will improve their technical skills, leadership abilities, choreographic and creative aptitudes and come to appreciate the full production process.

The Contemporary Dance Company Dance Company is another Student troupe. "It is more modern, but there is still a base in ballet, tap and jazz. The group is more focused on modern and contemporary trends," says Heigel-Tanner. The company is different from Orchesis in its structure. The group has half as many members; it is newer to the community; it has permenant membership, and it is directed by faculty members Heigel-Tanner, Liz Limons and Susan Koff.

The Penn State International Dancers, under the direction of faculty member Elizabeth Hanley, is a group that performs cultural-representing works.