Freshmen haven't yet been tapped by Tufts' plentiful crop of performance groups, but opportunities to sample each group abound, especially during orientation.
Students interested in a cappella will find a number of outlets for their voices. A cappella groups are key players in the performing arts scene on campus, and each of Tufts' six groups manages to maintain a particular appeal. Three of the groups are coed: the Amalgamates, Shir Appeal, and sQ, while the University features two all-female groups and one all-male group.
The Amalgamates, often referred to as the 'Mates, are the most celebrated of the coed groups. The group's latest album, Juice, was honored with awards for Best Mixed Collegiate Album, Best Mixed Collegiate Song ("I'm Your Baby Tonight"), and Best Mixed Collegiate Soloist (Becky Rubin). Founded in 1984, the 'Mates is one of Tufts' oldest a cappella organizations.
Shir Appeal, Tufts' coed Jewish a cappella group, is a younger organization. The group was founded in 1995 and performs both traditional Jewish songs and songs by popular artists like Sting and the Indigo Girls. Last year the group became the first Jewish a cappella group to be featured on the prestigious Best of College A Cappella CD.
Founded in 1994, sQ describes itself as "less intense" than other a cappella groups at Tufts. The group's less strenuous rehearsal and performance schedule allows students with less free time to take the stage.
The Jackson Jills and Essence are Tufts' all-female a cappella groups, but that's where the similarities end. The Jills were created in 1963 and named after Jackson College, once Tufts' all-female undergraduate program. The group performs songs from an array of artists that range from N'SYNC to Susan Tedeschi.
Essence is comprised mostly of African-American women. Dedicated to singing the music of the African Diaspora, the group is scheduled to release its second CD this year.
The Beelzebubs, also founded in 1963, is Tufts' only all-male a cappella group. The group tours extensively and is known for both its rigorous rehearsal schedule and its ability to excite an audience. The Bubs' most recent album, Next, features songs from such varied artists as Destiny's Child, the Beastie Boys, and James Taylor.
If a cappella isn't your style, the Tufts Chorale offers numerous performance opportunities. Its members include both undergraduates and faculty members. Last spring, the group performed Mahler's Symphony No. 2, also known as Mahler's "Resurrection" Symphony, in collaboration with the Tufts Symphony Orchestra and the choruses and orchestras of Brandeis University, Wellesley College, and MIT.
Whether you've been dancing since preschool or are looking to put on your dancing shoes for the first time, Tufts has three major dance groups. The student-run Tufts Dance Collective (TDC) is open to dancers of all levels and experience. No audition is necessary to participate in the group's Fall semester performance. Each show features student choreography in a variety of styles ranging from tap and hip-hop to jazz and modern dance.
More experienced dancers often audition for Sarabande, a group designed to allow dancers and choreographers to operate in a more professional atmosphere. Like TDC, Sarabande performs once a semester. Dance styles featured in the group's performances include modern, jazz, ballet, and character dance.
The Spirit of Color Performing Arts Troupe strives to promote awareness of the various cultures at Tufts through dancing, singing, and acting. Founded in 1996, the group encourages students of all races and cultures to participate in its performances each semester.
Theater-oriented students have a variety of performance groups from which to choose. Having recently celebrated its 90th anniversary, Pen, Paint and Pretzels is the oldest student organization. Serving as an umbrella organization for student drama organizations, 3Ps performs two major productions, an orientation show, a freshmen play, and several minor productions each year.
Torn Ticket II is Tufts' only musical theater group. The student-run organization performs one major production each semester. Recent major productions include West Side Story and Jesus Christ Superstar.
The Black Theatre Company, formed in 1989, provides students of color with an outlet to perform dramatic and musical works by black artists. In addition to plays, the group has recently incorporated dance and vocal performances. Past performances have included George Wolfe's The Colored Museum and an adaptation of Grease.
Cheap Sox, Tufts' improvisational comedy troupe, performs regularly on campus. Its performances incorporate audience participation into a series of games and skits, resulting in unpredictable, often outrageous humor.
Formed in 1998, Hype is Tufts' only mime troupe. Shows are comprised of short vignettes written by group members and set to music. The group performs at Cohen Auditorium each semester.
Traveling Treasure Trunk allows students to couple their love of acting together with their passion for working with children. Co-sponsored by 3Ps and the Leonard Carmichael Society, the children's theater group performs a series of short plays at local schools, hospitals, and day care centers. This past spring, members of the group returned to their former elementary schools to perform during Spring Break.
