What do an opera singer, professional jazz saxophonist, break-dancing crew and two Pulitzer Prize winners have in common? On Thursday night in Richardson Auditorium, they all shared the stage at the first-ever presentation of "This is Princeton!"
The event, modeled after the popular orientation week Tiger Night show, served as a showcase of University talent, with appearances by professors, staff and undergraduate and graduate students.
"The idea behind 'This is Princeton!' developed as the Projects Board and the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students recognized that many people, particularly faculty, do not have an opportunity to see the wide variety of talent on Princeton's campus," said Jen Albinson '05, co-chair of the Projects Board.
The two organizations created the show "to exhibit the many forms of talent, with an eye towards faculty attendance," Albinson explained.
The lineup featured a wide variety of acts, from individual performers to dance groups, both amateur and professional.
Some had been recommended by the music department, while others were approached directly by the Projects Board.
Many, like DiSiac, already had an established fan base. But for others, the show marked the first public display of their talents.
Eli Goldsmith '04 opened the night with an acoustic version of his original song, "A Casual Thing," which he played in front of an audience for the first time.
"I think most people probably just think of me as a student government guy, not necessarily a musician, so it was fun for people to see this side of me," said Goldsmith, class president and chair of the University Honor Committee.
The crowd clapped along with University staff member Kenny Grayson h'02 as he sang
"Summertime," and with the performance of the High Steppers, Princeton's step dance troupe.
The night also featured prizewinning writers as professors Paul Muldoon and John McPhee '53 read from their work. Dan-el Padilla '06 also recited Catullus in Latin and Sophocles in Greek before reading his own translations of the pieces.
The stand-up comedy of Jason Lawrence GS provided a lighthearted change of pace. Lawrence said he was pleased with both the audience and venue.
"I absolutely love[d] performing in Richardson Auditorium and I could not have asked for a more receptive, welcoming audience," he said in an email. "Dropping a punchline was like flicking water on a hot skillet."
Other performers included Kevin Cotter '96, the Princeton University String Quartet, Ballet Folklorico, Irwin Hall '07, the Sympoh Urban Arts Crew, Anthony Constanzo '04 and the Princeton Katzenjammers a cappella group.
Thomas Dunne, the associate dean of undergraduate students, said his favorite aspect of the night was "hav[ing] professors and staff work shoulder-to-shoulder with students."
He characterized the positive responses to the project as "tremendously encouraging" and expressed his hope that the show would become a University tradition.
Proceeds from the event will help fund scholarships for area youth to participate in summer arts programs.
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