In the week leading up to the homecoming game, BYU brought back the BYU Spectacular — an event that was formally an annual performance — to celebrate its 150th year on Oct. 15-16.
This year’s BYU Spectacular featured the Ballroom Dance Company, Noteworthy, Vocal Point and Young Ambassadors. On Oct. 19, the Sunday after the BYU performance, these groups took their show on the road to the Shanghai International Arts Festival in China.
This is not the first time BYU has sent performing groups to China. The Young Ambassadors broke that ground over 45 years ago in 1979. As a current member of the Young Ambassadors, Music Dance Theatre (MDT) major, Logan Neville said he is excited to continue that legacy.
“[The performers] on this trip are our ambassadors of not only BYU, but of the United States to create this bond and connection with the world,” Neville said. “That’s really powerful. With this [sesquicentennial] celebration of BYU, it's kind of like a statement that we are still continuing that devotion, and want to share the message that BYU has with the world.”
Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve atteanded the first BYU Spectacular performance on Oct. 15. Curtis Allen, a MDT major in his second year as a Young Ambassador, said that Elder Kearon came to talk to the performers.
“He started to get emotional as he talked about the fact that we are literally, in this case, ambassadors for the school, and for the Church, and for the Savior as we go over and just do what we love to do,” Allen said. “I would do this for free, and I would do it anywhere, so it really is a tremendously humbling experience to be able to go do it in a way that means something to people.”
Sarah Rollins, a BYU alum working in IT, attended the show with her friend. Rollins said she could feel the passion and energy that performers like Allen brought to the stage.
“It was fantastic, nothing less than spectacular,” Rollins said. “These are such creative students. I’ve known people who have done those kinds of ensembles — they care about it so much, and it's their life, and they're dedicating their whole heart to this endeavor. It is just beautiful to see.”
Clocking in at 90 minutes, the BYU Spectacular rotated between a cappella songs by Vocal Point or Noteworthy, dance numbers by the Ballroom Dance Company and performances from the Young Ambassadors, which were often a mix of both singing and dancing.
“It's really unique and just something that I don't think you'll see any other time in the calendar year — on campus, at least,” Allen said.
Mid-show, the Young Ambassadors pulled out a piece that was a stark departure from the swirling skirts and vivid vocals. “Adventure Montage” featured iconic moments from famous films creatively mimed to a mashup of movie scores.
“I couldn't stop laughing. It was so joyful and whimsical,” Rollins said. "[The students] were so passionate about having a fun time and helping the audience have a fun time.”
The piece was full of fun props and clever transitions — a crew of pirates quickly turned into a sinking Titanic as the score took a turn toward Celine Dion.
“I just love the idea of something so simple and something that appeals to a child in all of us,” Allen said. “I'm looking forward to the audiences in China who have presumably seen a lot of those movies ... to have a chance to relate to that, because I think art is something that can be universal.”
The performers took their final bow in the BYU Spectacular on Oct. 16, but there was no time to waste as they prepared for their flight. The 66 students could bring one personal item, one carry-on and one checked bag — which may seem excessive for one week abroad. However, with multiple costume changes, plus bulky set pieces and props, packing was tricky, Neville explained.
“I packed my own costume in a suitcase, and then all the extra space that I had, I was able to use to put other props in,” Neville said. “We all have to kind of sacrifice that … but that's just one of the ways that as a team, we helped to bring all the costumes, tech, set and props that we need to perform our show.”
BYU Spectacular’s performers departed for Shanghai on Sunday, Oct. 19 to share their show at the Shanghai International Arts Festival.