Hope College is a great place for the arts! Even if you’re not majoring or minoring in an arts field, there’s lots of opportunities to get involved. Whether it’s for a general education requirement or just for fun, there are many areas to try out, from theater to music to dance.
Theater
Regardless of your experience level, anyone can audition for a play at Hope. There are multiple each semester, so lots of people are needed to make them happen. If you can’t commit to doing a full length play, there are also 10 minute scenes you can audition for that are put on by the Directing I class. Is acting not your thing? No worries! The theater always needs people to run sound and lights, build props, usher, and more. No matter where your skill set lies, there is a place for you in Hope’s theater department. A lot of my friends have experiences in different areas of theater, and they have all spoken very highly of their time there. One person I know took Acting for the Non-Major, which fulfilled his fine arts credit and was great for him to get into acting for the first time.
Music
There are more than 20 different ensembles on campus that students can join. For voice, there are two choirs for all voice types, and one all-women’s choir. If you play an instrument, there is a concert band, a jazz band, an orchestra, and more! Instead of an ensemble (or in addition to), you can also take lessons. Right now I’m in piano lessons to fulfill part of my fine arts credit, and it’s great! I get to have a one-on-one lesson with my instructor once a week where we go over how my practice has been going and what I can do to further improve. In addition to this, we have a studio class once a week where all the piano students come together and play for each other. Everyone has great feedback, and they’re all super supportive!
Dance
Anyone can take a dance class at Hope. There are classes for tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, and modern dance offered at all skill levels. Any one of these classes can count for a fine arts credit, so a dance class can be a great alternative to music. If you don’t want to commit to a semester-long class, you can also dance in one of Hope’s clubs. We have Swing Dance, Sacred Dance, Ballet Club, and Hip Hop Anonymous, so there’s something for everyone. I’ve only gotten the chance to go to Swing Dance, but everyone there was super welcoming. I could sit out or join a dance whenever I wanted, and sometimes they would do larger group dances. Even though I’m hardly a dancer, I found it super easy to join and I quickly became comfortable with the moves
Studio Arts
Whether you’re an art prodigy or unable to draw more than a stick figure, there’s a studio art class for you. It’s not just painting or drawing either. You can also explore ceramics, sculpture, printmaking and more! Regardless of which class you choose, studio art classes at Hope are a great way to fulfill your general education requirement and unleash your creativity.
At Hope College, the arts are for everyone. They’re a great way to get out of your comfort zone and try something new. No matter your interests, skill set, or commitment level, there is a place for you. Any campus group would love for you to be there!