Wearing black trash bags and winter hats, two dancers join the other eight dancers in robotic-like movements against static, "trippy rock music."

Orchesis dancers rehearse a piece intended to capture the interesting and sometimes odd interactions among people.

For this semester's upcoming "Choreographer's Showcase," the Orchesis Dance Company promises audience members will get a kick out of their interpretative pieces.

The 13 company-choreographed pieces include music from quirky Ween, Billy Joel, Led Zeppelin and Gavin DeGraw.

"Everything's incorporated, but I just think the overall vibe is uplifting and it's a nice sendoff to seniors because it's very uplifting musically," said Orchesis Secretary Alyse Sciolla.

Boasting 29 dance members, the dance company originated in 1935 when it outgrew from an unofficial Penn State dance class. In the past 70 years, Orchesis has performed at the annual MLK Day celebrations, the the Sesquicentennial Opening Games Ceremony, and the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon. Inspired by A Chorus Line, the piece "Dancers through 45 to 88, please take the stage" depicts a Broadway dance audition in which personality and role-playing is sure to entertain the audience, Sciolla said.

Set to music from Billy Joel's Broadway musical Movin' Out, Orchesis Vice President Lauren Rubio choreographed a piece capturing her four years at Penn State and the unique experiences and relationships she has built upon, according to Rubio.

"I play [Rubio] and it comes to the point where we're all leaving and we've had a great time, but it's very happy and very smiley," Orchesis President Maria Stewart (senior-finance) said.

"It's conversation through movement and not about
the [music's lyrics], just the tone of the music," Rubio added.

First-time choreographer Villani was inspired by the music of the film Love Actually for her piece that explores the one moment when your whole life changes, but through the help of others you're able to push through, said Villani.

Celebrating life, Jolene Bartley (junior-philosophy) choreographed a moving piece about a 15-year-old girl who is able to see herself through the ages with the help of her future selves.

Unlike other dance groups, the "Choreographer's Showcase" has enabled the dancers to creatively express their desires, fears and concerns in an often ignored art form.

"I just know that my mother can't believe how we can find this outlet and have a niche [at Penn State] and how much we grow each year," Sciolla said.

An assembly line of dancers move forward in synchronized movements while another dancer in a trash bag appears to wrestle with herself, as the lyrics "happy colored marbles" wanes in the background. A choreographer throws herself onto the floor, rolling with laughter.

"We can't keep a straight face dancing to it, she can't keep a straight face watching it," Rubio said.