Rêve Dance Company: A Community of Performing Artists at Penn State

Rêve Dance Company provides dancers the opportunity to compete and shine on the dance floor, experiencing various styles such as jazz, contemporary, or hip-hop. The club meets several times a week, with meetings starting by getting to know each other, stretching, and then rehearsing. The team participates in competitions put on by other organizations at or around campus, allowing different Penn State dance clubs to compete against each other in a friendly environment.

Key Takeaways:

• The Rêve Dance Company is a high-performance team that participates in various competitions, including those put on by the Performing Arts Council, where teams compete in different styles and a winner is crowned.
• The club has a unique and friendly atmosphere, with club members and other dance organizations coming together to support each other during competitions.
• Members of the Rêve Dance Company have reported feeling a strong sense of community and camaraderie within the club, with many describing it as a "little family."
• Prospective members can audition for the club, which takes place at the beginning of the year over two days, with dancers being tested in their skills, techniques, and performance abilities.
• The club holds an open class for prospective members to see if the club is a good fit for them, allowing them to experience the club's environment and sense of community.
• Members of the Rêve Dance Company have reported feeling a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment during competitions, with many praising the club's supportive and non-critical environment.

Statistics:

• The Rêve Dance Company meets multiple times a week for approximately two hours each in either the White Building or the HUB-Robeson Center.
• The club has a diverse range of styles, including jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop.
• The team has participated in various competitions, including the THON talent show and the Homecoming For The Glory Talent Show 2024.
• The Rêve Dance Company has a strong sense of community, with many members reporting feeling a sense of belonging and connection with their peers.
• The club has a open audition process, with prospective members being evaluated on their skills, techniques, and performance abilities.

Sources:

• Julia Chieffo, co-president of the Rêve Dance Company and primary THON chair, quoted in the article as saying, "We're a high performance team, and the competitions are almost like a talent show of the different dance organizations, and then also a cappella groups are oftentimes a part of it as well, since it's the Performing Arts Council that puts on most of the shows." (Source: interview with Julia Chieffo, co-president of Rêve Dance Company)
• Meghan Ward, co-president and primary Homecoming chair, quoted in the article as saying, "My favorite part is how close knit everyone is, and I'm so happy I picked Rêve as a freshman because everyone is so close. It's very comfortable." (Source: interview with Meghan Ward, co-president of Rêve Dance Company)
• Katelyn Brunner, a second-year member of the Rêve Dance Company, quoted in the article as saying, "It kind of feels like your dance studio at home, we're such a little family. It's such a cliché, but it makes a big school feel small." (Source: interview with Katelyn Brunner, member of Rêve Dance Company)