E-11... An Efficacious ELLIV :-)

The came,
They stepped it up,
They shined in the center ring...

Just as a single, sunny Saturday afternoon emerged out of 2 weeks of Midwest rain, masses of Cedarville students emerged from their dorms to attend the most anticipated event of the year, Elliv.

Elliv (for those of you who either A. did not read my last blog or B. live under a rock) is Cedarville University's annual mock award show that brings to light the most memorable moments of the year, honors student accomplishments, and brings attention to unique student talent. Started in 2000 as an dorm-room-formed idea, the event has transformed from more of a spoof, to a legitimate platform for talent and campus unity.

Throughout my 4 years at Cedarville, I had the chance to perform at, choreograph for, and coordinate the event, so when I was asked to continue my involvement and choreograph this year, I did not hesitate for a second. Starting back in January, I was able to audition and cast for 5 dance numbers and soon thereafter, begin the hardcore rehearsal schedule. What came out of those 12 weeks of rehearsals were some stellar numbers to hit the ELLIV '11 stage on April 30th.

The show opened with a bang in the form of my girls doin' a fab rendition of Willow Smith's WHIP MY HAIR (<-- see video!). Check it- mah Girls were workin it...







After that, one of my bestest, Erin, hit the stage in all her Pat-Benatar-awesome-yet-borderline-hideous-80's glory and took on Bon Jovi's LIVIN ON A PRAYER. This girl has some skill. Both in singing, and rocking cliche' anthems. Please also notice the sheer hotness of my friends Tyler and Boliger (left and right respectively) in their denim washed, mullet-ed greatness.


As that act ended, the fabulous stage crew adorned the stage with park benches and lampposts in preparation for a number I had been visualizing since the fall. In what I had hoped would become a sweet little lyrical hip hop number, my 3 couples accompanied our own "Bruno Mars" as they danced to JUST THE WAY YOU ARE.




As if any talent or award show could be complete without it, a fabulously coiffed group of 8 stepped into the spotlight in sequins and skinny ties reminding us in such a beloved Glee fashion, DON'T STOP BELIEVIN. Yea, they made 3-step turns look good.




Adding to the spectacle of the evening, MAGIC was the next dance number up. And no, rapping, a sweet video, and awesome lighting is not enough. Check out my flippin awesome swing/jive couples. Yea, they're pretty cool. They even kept in all their death-defying stunts amidst the smaller than anticipated stage spacing with dangers on all sides :-)





Over the years, Cedarville has dealt with and overcome many things. Bed bugs, swine flu, etc. But right now, even Cedarville can't escape the ailment that is sweeping the world by storm... Beiber Fever. It would have been wrong to not give the campus a taste of their SOMEBODY TO LOVE. {Please note the "Beiber heart" formation at the end. I was excited that so many picked up on it. yay.}




After a few more awesome musical numbers ranging from Taylor Swift to the Beatles... it was time for the finale. The summit. The pinnacle of the evening. The anticipated final number. Usually the finale is epic, and we of course kept that up this year, but while the final number is usually a well-known song, we opted for something a little more obscure. Although most likely new to the majority of the crowd, we decided to build a spectacular act recreating the final scene from Fame, the musical number HOLD YOUR DREAM. From a 25 piece orchestra, vocalists, a gospel choir, ballet dancers, lyrical dancers, tribal dancers and more... this number was definitely deserving of the standing ovation to close the evening.








ELLIV is an incredible tradition that I am so very thankful to have had such an opportunity in being involved the last 5 years. Where else can you throw together a hip hop routine with a social work major on the right and a mechanical engineer on your left in the same room where you have chapel every weekday?

Yea, that's what I thought. Be jealous.


(Ooh... and if you were wondering, yes, we've already had a meeting to start brainstorming for next year... BRING IT, ELLIV 2012!)

Step Right Up... Elliv 2011 is COMING!!

It's that time again.
A time that marks the end of a year at Cedarville.
A time that correlates with the anniversary of the start of my blog.

A time to STEP RIGHT UP!

Check out the PROMO!


Elliv is by far one of my favorite Cedar-isms, and I can honestly say the event was the origin of some of my favorite memories, and closest friends over my 4 years at the 'Ville.

For those of you who are not aware, ELLIV (Ville backwards) is the end-of-the-year award show bash that shines light on student accomplishments of the year past, relieves the best and funniest campus memories, and gives a stage (literally) to student musical, acting, and dance talent.

During my 4 years as a student at the Ville, I had the great opportunity to be involved with the show in several avenues... performer, choreographer, casting, talent coordinator etc. It would have been sad in graduating last year knowing that my ELLIV experience was over, but I knew last spring that I would be around to choreograph the show this year, so that eased the pain of walking across that graduation stage.


This year's show has a lot of potential and will certainly be a night of entertainment. And all of that begins with the night's theme "Step Right Up," a request given to accompany a flash back in time to those days of vintage circus fun and fabulous muted colors.

I can't give too many details just yet as the nature of the event includes secrets and surprises at every turn, but I can tell you make sure you get to the pre-show. We'll see how it goes, but in my 5 years involved in the show I think this is the most unique, exciting pre-show and I very much anticipate the time before the lights hit the stage.

As for the show itself, there are some great song choices, and although I haven't seen every musical act go through checks at this point, what I've seen is good. What I can speak on though is the dance/choreography since I've been working with dancers virtually every night since the first week in February. At this point, I can say this group and these dance numbers have the potential to be the strongest showing of dance at ELLIV ever. I got some great talent with great attitudes and I really pushed them this year choreography wise. I didn't just give moves to suffice some movement on stage, these kids are gettin' worked.

From hip hop, lyrical hop hop, jive/swing, ballet, lyrical, African and more there is no lack of variety and impressive moments coming from these kids.

If you are at Cedarville and haven't gotten your tickets yet... DO IT!
If you are an alum, will be in the area and/or just enjoy some sweet moves... GET A TICKET!
They are $16/$13 for lower front and lower back/balcony respectively.
Still don't believe ELLIV is awesome? Check out some vids from years past HERE!

And we'll see ya in the center ring April 30th!




(W2JWRBMLOAPMDSBSHHSTLBATYBMBMF2=Elliv2011)

A Piece of Paper That Changes Everything...

We always speak of it as the most expensive piece of paper one can obtain, but I don't think I've ever understood the meaning of a diploma until today.

Yes, it's official.

I am a college graduate.

Bachelor of Arts in Comprehensive Communication (Journalism) with minors in Theatre and Bible to be exact. What is surprising me is that I have not made a single comment in connection to the ironic "value" of that piece of parchment, but I can't help but sit here and experience my mind trying to grasp the enormous symbolic and literal change that just occurred in my life.

One side of me feels like I want to take on the world. Full-force. Just move somewhere away from the confining cornfields of southwest Ohio where I find myself now and pursue the dreams I've imagined all my life.

The other side of me is still focused on Cedarville. Focused on the friendships I've built, the actions I've set in motion, the possibilities at hand. I love Cedarville. Immensely. It has taught me so much, challenged me intensely, and has seen me through incredible undulations of life. So much of me feels as if I need to give back, to stay involved, to be able to encourage prospective students, current CU family, and alumni. I find so much excitement in imagining myself continuing to pour into CU, but my biggest thing right now is just the need to stop trying to weigh out every detail and trust God to make my way.

I am a planner. A visionary. A strategist. Sitting here, not knowing my exact direction and not entirely being in control is my most intimidating opposition. It's times like this that I find myself so torn. So tempted to weigh out pros and cons, make lists, make contrasting agendas etc. etc. while knowing I just need to stop, hand over all my concerns and confusion to the One and Only Sovereign God and just watch Him work it out.

Another thing about me... I think and feel and live so often through song lyrics. For example, I just can't keep certain lyrics from running through my head right now, a song I performed with OneVoice Ensemble this year..

A wave of Your hand can command the seas to hold their peace
If you can handle the seas
Then I know that You can deal with all my needs
So I will put every situation
Into Your capable hands
I don't have to know the plan
Because You are

You are the sovereign God
Bigger than all my problems
And every situation
There is nothing too hard
For the sovereign God

He is able to do exceedingly abundantly
Above all we ask or think
So take all your burdens and lay them at His feet
And watch Him meet the need
We have the victory

I hate being vulnerable. I've always felt that I need to remain strong, in control, and hide any evidence of not "having it all together," but I've learned more and more that it is through my vulnerable times that God shows me my need for Him. Through my lacking, He proves time and time again that He is my Jireh and my sustainer.

God is good, ya'll... Pray that I won't fail to see that at all times.

Congratulations Cedarville University Class of 2010. It's been unbelievable. I hope your time has been as stretching and as impactful as mine has been. Love you all!

Yah- that just happened...ELLIV 2010

What a night. 2,400+ in attendance, lights, pyro, staging, incredible talent... PA-CHOW!

After a year of planning, organizing, orchestrating and months of rehearsing, ELLIV 2010 hit the stage on April 24th. Red carpet led nominees and performers into the Jeremiah Chapel and onlookers enjoyed the rush as a swanky band filled the air with songs like "That Thing You Do" and "Johnny Be Good."

Everyone rushed in to find their seat of choice (in their designated sections that is, thanks bouncers (-: ) and glared with anticipation at the overhead countdown clocks. As 7'o'clock approached, I couldn't stop jittering with excitement as all of the hours of hard work, stress, and excitement was coming to fruition in front of my eyes.

We kicked off the night with a throwback number with our own fancy twist in the form of September. Ya, we know it's April... but who doesn't LOVE some Earth, Wind and Fire?! As the hosts then welcomed the crowd to the classiest event in the state of Ohio (Legit- it is), we all got an adrenaline rush, anticipating what would come next.

After great performances of "Fireflies," "Battlefield" (with the group working my choreography!),"Say Hey," a cute rendition of "How Does She Know?" and muteMath's "Typical," the act that was truly my baby hit the stage. An amazing Michael Jackson a capella medley wow-ed the stage, and just as the audience thought it was over, my dancers tore up the stage with a RIDICULOUSLY awesome performance of "Thriller." I have to admit, I have had an obsession with "Thriller" since I was very young and I have pushed to teach and perform the choreography as often as possible throughout my life, but I have to be real, THIS was the best performance EVER! :-)

As the crowd attempted to contain their amazement after that act, they were handed more fun thanks to "Haven't Met You Yet," "Signed, Sealed, Delivered,' and then the finale... a multi-cultural, high energy dance number, "Jai Ho." I can't even tell you how hard those kids worked. It was probably the most intricate choreography I've done for ELLIV over the years and these amateur dancers did an incredible job of learning from me and getting into character. As the final pyro was shot and the final pose was hit, the confetti fell on the final moments of ELLIV.

For everyone involved, a genuine thank you. It was an incredible experience and a true blessing to have been able to teach you and lead you through it all!

ELLIV 2011... where you at? BRING IT!!


WANNA SEE HIGHLIGHTS? Ya, I know you do!
http://www.vimeo.com/11214334

In the beginning...

Life.
While it's the antics and adventures within that that should have been inspiring me to keep up with a blog, it worked in a conflicting way. It's the non-stop, high speed, categorized chaos that wakes me up early, keeps me up at night, and would allow no time to make a tangible record of my endeavors.

Long story short... This girl is poolside, cannonball-in' into the refreshing waves of the blog world. I feel like this will in fact be rejuvenating for me. A little cheap therapy if you will.

I most definitely am a talker. In regards to entertaining others, talking through what I need to accomplish, or even talking myself outta trouble (occccccasionally :-P), words are kinnnnda what I do. Maybe that's why I went to college to study communications, to learn how to best sculpt this craft. What I've really learned? I'm just REALLY good at... not shutting up!

Ok- that was a side note. What I've actually realized more and more is how relevant keeping a blog is to my future in writing, journalism, PR etc etc so on. I have to admit, I kinda like it in a sense. I mean, I have learned how to write technically, formal skills, rules blah blah blah... but people out there in the "big people world" are starting to care more about uniqueness in writing styles and... dare I say it? PERSONALITY! Yesssss! Score one up for me! I def got one of those :-) If only all life's problems would be improved simply due to the fact you have a KICKIN' personality. Let's just say this past semester I wouldn't have gotten in an accident (not my fault! ha), my laptop wouldn't have died and caused me to go through the attorney general to fix the issue, I wouldn't have unauthorized charges on my credit card, and my housemate wouldn't have shown up with a baby chick in my laundry room! Well, that last one is quite an interesting story... maybe another day!

ANYWAY- I am contemplating giving ya'll an insight on what has brought me to this point. Not necessarily THIS point as in 8:58 pm April 22,2010, but moreso a soon-to-be college grad who has had the blessing to experience so much, see so many beautiful parts of the world, has so many interests and so many unique ...borderline obsessive amusements... but... I'm leaning toward a snapshot of what's on my plate right now and I'll catch ya up later. Deal? Game on.

ELLIV (pronounced E- LEAVE) is the HUGE award show put on annually at Cedarville University right before summer approaches and the 3,000+ students escape the midwest cornfields to return home, in most cases, to more exciting home bases. ELLIV (www.elliv.com) combines dialogue, skits, videos and more that bring to center stage highlights and humor from the year and we combine it with top-notch performances of musical favorites and extensively choreographed dance routines. (:::BREATHE:::) Continue...Oh yah- and then we give out awards to the year's best, like "performing artist," "student worker," "visual artist," "athletic accomplishment" and so on. A red carpet leads nominees and performers into our ministry center here on campus to the chapel, where an extravagant set is assembled to house the talent and technical surprises for the 3,000 onlookers.

After 3 years of performing in the show and choreographing numerous acts from a jazzy Michael Buble number, a throw-back 90's MMMbop act full of nostalgic fun, and even a full-out, high energy Broadway quality version of "You Can't Stop the Beat" from Hairspray (I'll have to post the vid sometime!), I was put in charge of ALL the talent this year This includes coordinating 120+ singers, dancers, beatboxers, instrumentalists la la la...all on an elaborate stage equipped for some crazy action PYRO! Yes... all this happens at a small, midwest Christian college... we are that cool.

It all goes down Saturday. 2 days. WHATTT!? I've been planning and orchestrating this event since LAST April and it's now here. It's gonna happen. After months of planning logistics, weeks of auditions, HOURSSS (probably DAYS) of choreography prep, 4 months of rehearsal... "E-DAY" is fast approaching. There is no turning back... (not that I'd EVER want to...I LIVE for this stuff! :-P) Today, a colossal truck brought in the stage, rented intels, pyro and such and we spent the afternoon turning our chapel into a space ready any A-list performer :-)

So, that has been chomping on my life and transforming my usual "plan-ahead know-where-my-life-is-going" self into a "tunnel-visioned-event-planner" that easily overlooks the fact that I'll be crossing the graduation stage in 9 (OH DANG!) days. Talk about a smack from reality. And not just a friendly brush... I'm talking a cocked back, flat handed impact... spit flying out like in the boxing ring and all. Well, maybe not the saliva section of that... I'm lady enough to contain that! haha!

I think this is where I'm calling it a night for now. I feel like I sufficiently tested out my blog waters, checking my water wings at the door. HAHA... I just had the vision of Mary Catherine Gallagher from Superstar in the opening scene of the movie... C'mon, you know what I mean! The cumbersome, almost uncomfortably awkward little girl... overly tight Rapunzel braids, out of style glasses, buck teeth and all talking about how to enter a pool. She explains 2 ways. Dipping your foot in and adjusting to the water, or, as she would encourage, just JUMPING IN!

I've never really been one prone to timidity, so I guess as I look to the future, I'll be working on perfecting my dives :-)

*Katy :-)