As the 2008 fall semester comes to an end, multiple Penn State dance organizations are preparing for their final performances of the year featuring student-choreographed and distinct styles of dance.

University Dance Company, Orchesis and the Penn State International Dance Ensemble will be performing shows in various locations on campus. Each show has its own artistic flair with different focuses on the art of dance.

University Dance Company

Room 113 in the White Building is a busy place for the University Dance Company, which hosted some members as they practiced barefoot in front of mirrors throughout the fall semester. Soon, they will be performing in a much more public place: the Pavilion Theatre.

The Penn State Fall Dance Show, the company's recital, is a combination of dancers from the University Dance Company and students who are part of Dancers Repertory Project and Repertory Ballet Company classes. The performances will be at 8 p.m. on Dec. 4, 5 and 6.

"This year, we've added a lot more repertoire," said Nicole Doctorick (senior-integrative arts), a member of both the University Dance Company and Dancers Repertory. "This is the first time we have had multiple groups all in one show."

The incorporation of other dance groups in the performance means a variety of dance styles: ballet, pointe, jazz and contemporary, said Lizz Praedin (junior-integrative arts), a member of the University Dance Company.

University Dance Company and Dancers Repertory Project are actual Penn State dance courses -- Contemporary Dance Repertory and Dance Repertory Project -- that can be taken for credit, Praedin said. Dancers from Dancers Repertory Project are able to choreograph pieces for the show.

"We get to work with the choreographer and give them feedback, which is great," Praedin said. "Choreographers take all of our [dancers'] ideas into consideration and everyone grows when they hear other opinions."

There are 12 pieces in the show with five choreographers who developed original dances, Victoria Scanga, an adjunct dance instructor in the School of Theatre, said.

Scanga choreographed a seven-and-a-half-minute original dance titled "Stuck" for the show.

"The dance is not what I expected. It ended up looking like depression," Scanga said. "I know that sounds horrible. It ended up being about being stuck inside your own head. And no matter the number of people who are trying to pull you out of your funk, you will stay if you don't want to go anywhere."

Orchesis

The Orchesis fall dance show will be presenting 13 pieces of its original student-choreographed performances three times this weekend, Katie Maxwell, president of Orchesis and publicity chairwoman, said.

The Orchesis Fall Choreographers Showcase will take place at 4 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 6 and 2 p.m. on Dec. 7 in 132-133 White Building.

"What makes Orchesis unique at University Park is that we are really dedicated dancers," Maxwell said. "We are all from different backgrounds and share the same passion for dance. We make a real commitment to dance and blending different styles of dance."

There is no theme to the show Maxwell said, but a lot of dances are inspired by relationships because the choreographers develop dances from what is important in their lives.

PSIDE

(Penn State International Dance Ensemble)

Penn State International Dance Ensemble will present a show with seven group dances with different styles ranging from Indian and

Philippine dances to ballroom dances.

PSIDE performs eclectic styles of dance from around the world during Late Night Penn State in the HUB-Robeson Center. This fall performance will be at 10 p.m on Dec. 6 and midnight on Dec. 7.

"I love performing in the HUB and watching the dancers perform," Samantha Manoharan, director of PSIDE, said. "For some dances, people will just stop and watch and they will get so caught up and stay for the rest of the show."

Performers dance at the bottom of the grand staircase in the HUB and the staircase usually fills up with spectators as the 45-minute show progresses, Manoharan said.

"The show is something interesting and something people are not really exposed to and going from all these different dances, it's just a new experience seeing it live in front of you," Manoharan said.