Putting on a Show

By Patrick Bohn, November 10, 2023

Student Showcase highlights Family Weekend offerings.

Ithaca College's Family Weekend student showcase featured performances by several student groups.

(Photos by Undarmaa Tserenkhuu '26)

Elle Schumacher '26 contributed reporting to this story.

Ithaca College’s 2023 Family Weekend brought more than 1,000 parents and family members, friends, and other supporters to South Hill to enjoy activities such as music and theatre performances, academic open houses, art exhibits, athletic events, and local tours to experience everything the college has to offer students.

One of the standout events during the weekend was the Student Showcase, held in Emerson Suites. Hundreds of guests watched as student performers sang, danced, and acted their way through an evening of fun.

“This event energized me. It really got to the heart of what students at IC are passionate about beyond the classes and lectures. This shows their skill sets, their talents, and their creativity.”

Dean of Students Marsha Dawson

“This event energized me,” said Dean of Students Marsha Dawson, who served as the evening’s master of ceremonies. “It really got to the heart of what students at IC are passionate about beyond the classes and lectures. This shows their skill sets, their talents, and their creativity.

“And to get to do it in front of their family, that just adds another layer to it,” she continued. “Families know their students are doing well, but to actually see it is fantastic.”

Run of Show

The following groups performed during the Student Showcase on Family Weekend

IC Taps

IC Unbound

Ithacappella

IC Second Stage

IC Tone Cold

The Ground Up Crew

KATALYST

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Numerous students got the opportunity to go front and center during the performances. Abby Bertram ’25 performed a solo for the dance group IC Unbound, while Grant King ’25 had multiple solos during Ithacappella’s performance. Tone Cold, which is an all-gender inclusive a cappella group, featured a duet by Lea Waessa ’27 and Colin Nacion ’24.

Following the showcase, families gathered for a fireworks show. (Photo by Karen Walls.)

One of the most in-depth performances was by IC Second Stage, which previewed its new musical, “Arkamites,” a fully fan-made musical produced by Sam Wurdemann ’25 and Olivia Celenza ’24, which featured Will Sherman ’27 as the Joker and Jaiden Collier’ 25 as Two Face.

Student performers both young and old relished the opportunity to take center stage.

“As a first-year student, this is the biggest crowd I’ve performed in front of,” said Collins Parlade ’27, who is a member of KATALYST, the college’s first-ever K-pop dance group. “It was great to perform in front of friends and families. I heard my name shouted out a few times from friends who were here, and that was awesome.”

“I’ve been doing this for five years, and I’m never not nervous,” said graduate student Connor Chin ’23, who was part of the breakdancing group The Ground Up Crew. “But it was a great way to highlight everything we’re doing within the dance community.”

And it wasn’t just those on the stage who showcased their talents. Because the entire show was produced by students, everyone had a chance to shine.

“The level of talent and variety of performances showcased were incredible. The skills that were demonstrated at the showcase could really only come from a school with an elite theatre arts program.”

Parent Chad Shumaker

Lisa Capelouto, parent to stage management major Ana Bernstein ’27, was proud to see them thriving.

[Ana] helped with the costumes during the event,” Capelouto said. “All the kids here are so talented and that was great to see.”

“The level of talent and variety of performances showcased were incredible,” said parent Chad Shumaker. “The skills that were demonstrated at the showcase could really only come from a school with an elite theatre arts program.”

The weekend also brought in money and food for Prunty’s Pantry, the college’s food pantry. (Photo by Karen Walls)

The event also served as a way to highlight the good being done by the IC community, as it doubled as fundraiser for Prunty’s Pantry, the college’s food pantry. Dawson said the pantry raised $2,708, and an anonymous donor offered to triple the total.

Following the showcase, families migrated to the Peggy Ryan Williams Center to sip hot chocolate and watch fireworks. Seeing families embrace during the event was the perfect encapsulation of the weekend for Dawson.

“It really showed how special the weekend was for everyone, and it warmed my heart to see it,” she said.