CUPAL Previews Performances

With so many performing arts groups on campus, there is almost always a show to see. This abundance of performances means it’s easy to be overwhelmed, and even easier to miss an excellent performance due to conflicting showtimes.

Luckily, Columbia students have the chance to see them all in the one-night-only annual showcase of the Columbia University Performing Arts League—a tradition initiated back in 2001.

Tomorrow evening marks the ninth annual CUPAL showcase featuring all nine of its performing arts member organizations—from King’s Crown Shakespeare Troupe’s classicism to the contemporary pieces from the Columbia Musical Theater Society. With the innovation of the smaller groups like CU Players, LateNite Theatre, and the Black Theatre Ensemble, all kinds of productions find their niche.

The showcase also features original work in dance and theater. Orchesis and Sabor will hit the stage to show audiences original choreography from the past year and promote their upcoming season. As for original theater, NOMADS will preview their upcoming May I Please Speak? and their past season’s surprise success Plan B, the Musical. But perhaps most coveted is the exclusive look at the 115th Annual Varsity Show.

The variety of performances is sure to appeal to the most diverse of audiences. This is an event looked forward to by those involved with arts and entertainment at Columbia. But the showcase is not only for performers and theater-lovers—it’s great entertainment for all students. The CUPAL showcase is a great opportunity to nab a sneak peek at Columbia’s spring theater season and to meet those who are most invested in the performing arts.

And what perfect way to dabble in the entertainment than with a “tapas”-like version of performances? The snippets serve as a taste-test for audiences to judge which campus groups appeal to their preferences, and which they might consistently follow. Even more, viewing a quick 10 minutes of a show will surely leave decided fans hungry for more. When the time comes for the upcoming productions to open, students who have seen the showcase may benefit from their advance encounter with the work.

With so much talent on campus each year, one can only marvel at the idea of enjoying a sampler of it all in one night.

The Ninth Annual CUPAL Showcase is on Friday, Feb. 6 at 9 p.m. in Roone Arledge Auditorium. Tickets are $5 at the TIC.