Southeast Missouri State University’s Conservatory of Theatre and Dance will host its eighth annual New Student Showcase for freshmen and transfer students at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall at the River Campus. Students will perform five- to six-minute portions of routines they have been practicing for four weeks.

Hilary Peterson, coordinator of dance at the conservatory, said three juniors from the dance department were paired with freshmen to create dance routines tailored specifically for each student.

The dances consist of a contemporary ballet duet and two trios, jazz and modern contemporary. In the theater portion of the showcase, there will be seven groups performing a combination of acting scenes and songs.

“I put the choreographers and dancers in a genre that they’re both comfortable in, that way it’s easy to create,” Peterson said.

Students were given four weeks to rehearse routines and become more confident in their performances before the showcase.

Peterson said the showcase is a learning experience for new students.

“It really teaches them about how we run [the River Campus] and how the business is run,” Peterson said.

Maddie Abbot, a freshman performing in the showcase, said her group was made up of musical theater majors. The group will perform “No Day But Today,” from the musical ‘Rent.’

As a tradition, the showcase will be during family weekend.

According to Peterson, the conservatory likes the showcase to fall on family weekend so families can see the students perform their first show.

Abbot said she is excited for the performance to be on family weekend.

“It’s important to me because I want my parents to feel as involved as they possibly can,” Abbot said.

Abbot feels the showcase is beneficial because it has kept her involved.

“I’ve made friendships through this group that I plan to keep for the rest of my life,” Abbot said.