The band Lotus gives performances marked by massive light rigs and musical experimentation in the electronica-dance genre -- not exactly the kind of thing one would expect from a band formed at a Mennonite college.

The all-instrumental band has five members. Jesse Miller mans the bass and the sampler (closely related to a synthesizer that plays back prerecorded music); Luke Miller plays the guitar and the keyboard; Steve Clemens rocks out on the drums; Mike Rempel plays guitar; and Chuck Morris plays electronic and acoustic drums.

Lotus is a jam band with influences in classic rock. Drawing from electronica adds the dancey club vibe that they strive for. They base most of their music on experimentation, working off of what other members play.

The group was formed in the summer of 1999, at Goshen College in the state of Indiana, which bills itself on its Web site as a "Christian college of the liberal arts and sciences rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition."

"The administration wasn't keen on us playing on campus, but we had a lot of support from the community," Miller said.

Scott Houston, lighting designer for Lotus, has been with the band since their college days. He said the main issue between the band and the college was the fact that Lotus played at bars. Because Goshen College is a Christian school that did not allow drinking on campus, they did not want Lotus to advertise their concerts because they were also advertising the bar venue at which they were performing.

Debra Brubaker, professor of music at Goshen College, wrote in an e-mail she does not recall any incidents in which the administration opposed Lotus. She said she knew three of the band members: Jesse Miller, Luke Miller and Steve Clemens.

"All three were very creative and pushed the boundaries of what was required of them, coming up with new ways of doing things," Brubaker wrote.

Aside from their musical pursuits in college, Miller said all the members played in high school bands.

Lotus, which released two albums last year, Escaping Sargasso Sea and Copy Paste Repeat: Lotus Remixed, will play at the State Theatre, 130 W. College Ave., a week after their gig at the Amsterdam jam band festival Jam in the Dam, Miller said.

Though they have played in State College before, he said this would be their first time performing at the State Theatre.

"We used to come [to State College] once a semester when the Crowbar was here," Miller said, "It will be fun to get back."

Kristy Cyone, State Theatre marketing and sales manager, said the band attracts a lighthearted and diverse crowd.

"It's a more diverse crowd full of people who like to have fun and are more open-minded," she said.

Cyone said the group's set has "no shortage of lights," but the theater can handle the show. A prior concert with The Dark Star Orchestra, another band performing at Jam in the Dam, gave the State Theatre experience with light-intensive shows.

Houston has been dealing with lighting design for Lotus for five years. He met them at Goshen College and followed them as their lighting designer for their first gigs.

Miller said the lighting adds a lot to the instrumental band. Houston said the lighting adds to the "all-encompassing experience" that Lotus aims for.

"It provides a focus, since we don't have a vocalist like many other bands do," Miller said.

Houston is excited to work with the State Theatre and said he believes they have a good venue where lighting is concerned.

"The State Theatre has a really nice light rig as far as tech stuff that will be nice to work with," he said.

Lotus also has a unique set list, which is subject to change and gives way for experimentation, Miller said.

In a live show, they usually remix many of their older songs and put in some songs from their more recent albums.

"There's a lot of improvisation at Lotus shows," he said. "It changes night to night because we like to mix it up a bit."

This tweaking of songs is also reflected in the lighting as well. Houston said that just as the music varies from show to show, so does the lighting. Lighting is largely dependent on the venue, so it allows Houston to experiment.

"That's probably what keeps me interested still doing what I do," he said. "It would not be as fun to be with a band that plays the same show every night."

The Lotus concert is not sold out yet, Cyone said, but Lotus management told her the majority of Lotus fans buy tickets the day of the show, and she warned that students may face a sold-out performance.

"I would suggest coming early to purchase the tickets," Cyone said. "Don't be surprised if you're waiting in a long line."