Out of the darkness a light appears focusing the eyes of audience members onto center stage and drums beat with a slow, methodic rhythm.

First one then another. The stage fills with bodies moving in sync with each other and the music.

NOMMO Performing Arts Company has just begun its performance.

NOMMO is the only company on campus that performs African and African-American dance, threater and voice.

A group of students created the company in 1984 through the Paul Robeson Cultural Center for African-American students to showcase their talent, said Christina Waddel, president of NOMMO.

The group started as a theater troupe known as the NOMMO Players, said Myrna Munchus-Bullock, artistic adviser and director. NOMMO means seed in Swahili. The group chose the name to symbolize the seed dance forms in the audience's mind. The seed may grow or dry up depending on whether the viewer nourishes it.

Eventually the troupe grew to become the NOMMO Performing Arts Company, which includes voice and dance as well, Munchus-Bullock said.

But the three divisions are not separate entities -- everything happens at the same time, Munchus-Bullock said. "It's the concept of total theater."

Many participants in NOMMO said the company allows African-American students the opportunity to become more involved in the performing arts and to experience a wider variety of roles than they would in other arts companies at the University.

"NOMMO allows people in the African-American community to show talent because most students played maids or waitress in the performances put on here," said Waddell (senior-administration of justice). "NOMMO gives them a chance to express themselves," she said.

This expression is also a celebration of African Americans and their culture, said voice director Chinita Crawford (senior-English).

"Before NOMMO, African-American students wanted to find a way to get into threater, dance and voice," said Erica Glass, dance director (junior-health education). "The pieces chosen are special. It's a part of us."

Since the pieces chosen are special to the performers, NOMMO puts an emphasis on providing the audience with more than simple entertainment. Company members said they hope the audience leaves with a greater understanding of African-American culture.

NOMMO addresses many social, ethical and spiritual issues, said company member Malcom Thomas (senior-elementary education). The art is a medium for raising consciousness, he added.

Michelle Long, the theater director, said that the NOMMO has a spirtual base. The whole purpose of NOMMO is to give the audience a message and that NOMMO is not just mere entertainment, said Long (senior-elementary education).

"Performances are based on internal things in us," Long said.

NOMMO plays an important role in the African-American community at Penn State.

Since most performances have a message behind them maybe people will learn something new about their history, Crawford said. This new information can in turn become a positive force in the University community, she added.

The performers agree that one of the most important aspects of NOMMO is the relationship between the members of the performing arts company.

"In NOMMO everyone has a chance to grow," Crawford said. "It doesn't matter if you are the best actress, singer, or dancer everyone has an opportunity to shine."