Penn State student Alex Jones spends much of his time studying for his pre-medicine classes, yet despite his full academic schedule, he still finds time to work on shows for Thespians and even play Frisbee with its members.

Jones is just one example of a student successfully balancing his work with his interest in the arts. Penn State offers a multitude of opportunities for students to get involved, no matter a student's major or coursework load.

Theater

Students interested in theater will find a home in Penn State Thespians, the oldest student-run club on campus. The Thespians put on benefits and local shows in the State College area, as well as their own productions. In the past, they have also collaborated with No Refund Theater (NRT), another student theater performance group on campus.

Jones (senior-pre-medicine), Thespians's historian, said the club has between 30 and 40 members and is looking for new participants.

"The group's a lot of fun, we're mostly non-theatre majors," Jones said. "The group's a lot more laid back, we play a lot of Frisbee."

Last year marked the club's 110th anniversary, and it invited all the alumni back, Jones said.

Each semester, Thespians' main stage shows are musicals. This semester, the Thespians will perform the musical Once Upon a Mattress, scheduled to open Thursday, Nov. 6.

"It's the story of the Princess and the Pea. It's not that mature, adult of a show; it's kind of funny," Jones said.

The spring musical will be Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, opening Thursday, April 2.

In addition to Thespians and NRT, there is the Full Ammo Improv Troupe, which focuses on improvisational acting.

Voice

For singers, there are several different choral groups both within and separate from the School of Music. These groups cover all the bases, from traditional choral arrangements to a cappella, in an effort to provide something for everyone.

"In the Big Ten, we have one of the smallest schools of music, but we offer the most choirs," Concert Choir President Heather McMunigal said.

McMunigal (junior-music) said Concert Choir, which has about 50 singers, has been around since 1975 and pulls from a broad selection of musical pieces.

"We do anything from renaissance to modern, it's like classical choral tradition," she said.

In addition to Concert Choir, there are other mixed choirs available, including the University Choir -- the oldest choir in the School of Music -- and Essence of Joy.

Essence of Joy performed sacred and secular music in the African American and African genres, McMunigal said.

Female singers looking for something more specific may find a home with the Women's Chorale or the Oriana Singers, which McMunigal said are all-women choirs that perform "typical choral tradition music."

There are all-male groups in the School of Music as well, including the Hi-Lo's, the all-male a cappella group, and the Glee Club, which McMunigal said is one of the oldest student groups on campus, predating even the football team.

McMunigal said she encourages students to audition for the School of Music choirs.

"It's a good way to meet people, to get credit and to perform. Everyone who auditions is placed in a choir. There is something for everyone," she said.

Singers looking to get involved, but not necessarily through the School of Music can check out any of the other singing groups, such as a cappella singers None Of The Above (NOTA).

The group started 17 years ago and is proud of the fact it has members of varying majors, business manager for the group Jessica Hutchison (senior-advertising) said.

"NOTA just means that we are unique, that we have our own style," Hutchison said.

The group performs its own show every semester, as well as for other events such as the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon. Hutchison said many groups will contact NOTA to perform at their events after hearing them perform around campus.

Unlike the School of Music groups, NOTA focuses mostly on pop music from the '80s and '90s, Hutchison said.

NOTA will also be holding auditions for new members this semester.

"We look for enthusiastic, good singers. We like to have quirky personalities," she said.

Other a cappella and singing groups outside of the School of Music include Syllable A Cappella Society, Savoir Faire and Singing Lions.

Dance

Dancers at Penn State also have many different groups they can join. One such group is Volé, Penn State's own ballet performance club.

Since they began in 2000, members of Volé have put on two annual shows at either State College Area High School or the Playhouse Theatre in addition to performing at Homecoming and other campus events.

Volé members have the option of just taking class or performing. Everyone who auditions gets placed in a class.

"We're all about anyone can join, we accept anyone who wants to take the time to dance," member Adriana Boylan (junior-math education) said.

The group has about 150 members, and about 50 of them are performers, Boylan said.

Volé holds classes weekly.

"It's time committing but it's relaxed and enjoyable. It's a great group of girls to be with," Boylan said.

Other dance groups include Orchesis, Whiplash, NOMMO, the Belly Dance Club, Penn State International Dance Ensemble, the Raas Society, Raw Aesthetic Movements(RAM) Squad, Tapestry and the Urban Dance Troupe.

In addition to all of these performance arts groups, there are many others listed on the Index of Student Organizations Web site, where students can find a club that fits their specific preferences.