Semester 4

Arts TRYathlon #1: Choose Your Own Adventure

Event Logistics (2/5/2026, AfroChique, Spring 2026 Tryouts)

#dance

I attended AfroChique’s auditions at the University of Maryland (UMD) on February 5th. AfroChique is a dance team that focuses on many different genres of African dance. Although I have experience dancing, I have never done African style dance before. Therefore, this was a way for me to step out of my comfort zone similar to how I did with the Vogue workshop through Arts Scholar. This helped me gain knowledge and learn new skills that I never would have known without engaging in this activity. In Arts Scholars, we have discussed how and why art may be used to make an impact or send an image. Dance is a form of expression and through different genres of African dance, a story or image is created. For example, the tryout piece that I learned was designed to be an upbeat dance that celebrates confidence and expression. Many of AfroChique’s performances have meaning. Their last performance at Fall Ball highlighted them dancing through a village, educating the audience on cultural traditions and dance moves. Additionally, in Arts Scholars we have talked about how art helps us uncover our past and can help us imagine the possibilities of the future. Dancing this style of dance helped me remember my culture as I am part Nigerian and Sierra Leone. It gave me the space to feel connected to my grandparents who grew up there and I felt as though I was dancing for them. Dancing with AfroChique helped me remember the wonderful memories I had growing up on dance teams.

Arts TRYathlon #2: Choose Your Own Adventure

Event Logistics (Friday, March 6, 2026, Kay Theatre, Macbeth)

#theater

I attended Macbeth produced by the University of Maryland (UMD) School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies. The play was a retelling of one of Shakespeare’s famous plays set in a post-apocalyptic world where Macbeth and Lady Macbeth stopped at nothing to fulfill a prophecy. I believe that this event helped me affirm my definition of what counts as art. I always considered theater a part of art and especially after taking THET251 - Broadway Mashup: Remixing America Through Musical Theater, I gained an understanding of how it is. In the play, there were so many stylistic choices used. For example, the set design incorporated a revolving stage, or turntable, to help create seamless transitions and enhance the narrative flow of the performance. Visual design elements were also used such as lighting, costume design, and props to help engage the audience's experience. One thing I enjoyed was that there were captions displayed on two rundown slabs of paper. Although it was not actually paper, through background design, the set was made to look post-apocalyptic and the use of captions provided accessibility for audience members who may have been hearing impaired. Overall, the many stylistic choices used helped enhance the visual element of this performance, confirming art’s definition to me.

Arts TRYathlon #3: Arts Scholars Event

Event Logistics (March 4, 2026, Dekelboum Concert Hall, Jazz Band Concert)

#music

I attended the Jazz Band Concert for my Maker Mixer event. The concert consisted of music from University of Maryland’s Jazz Ensemble, UMD Jazz Lab Band, and University Jazz Band. The jazz ensembles are composed of more than 100 students. Each ensemble was composed of a diverse group of individuals. Some have different majors, ethnicities, and ages. Others have experience playing instruments and others were only recently introduced to the instruments they were playing. In Arts Scholars, we talked about how we can leverage the influence of artistic practice to comment on the depth of our differences and shared commonalities. After viewing this event, I understand how a shared love of music, such as jazz, can bring a group of people together to appreciate the arts. From the audience perspective, I saw students, parents, younger children, and older adults coming together to take time out of their day to support the arts. No matter how different we all may be, at this moment, I was just like everyone else listening to jazz. I may come from a different culture, have different hobbies, and think differently than those I was surrounded by but it did not matter when I was there. We all came together to keep the arts alive by having fun and enjoying the music.

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