On Saturday, the Broadway Theatre, 216 E. Broadway St., hosted a full house to view the ballet that was produced by the CMU Department of Communication and Dramatic Arts.

Advising the project and providing administrative support was Director of University Theatre Dance Company Heather Trommer-Beardslee.

“In August, Dr. Jay Batzner from the CMU School of Music connected me with Jarrett Goodchild, a music graduate student who was interested in composing music for an original ballet. I then connected Jarrett with two CMU dance minors, Tyler Bradley and Adam Zank. From there, they worked together to create R.E.M.,” she said.

This 30-minute ballet is a product of a composition done by CMU School of Music graduate student Jarrett Goodchild and the choreography done by CMU undergraduate dance minors Tyler Bradley and Adam Zank.

“R.E.M. is an original story dance exploring the most common themes we find in our dreams. Tyler Jarrett and I met in the fall and decided the theme, plot and schedule with CMU faculty member Heather Trommer-Beardslee,” Nashville junior Zank said. “Jarrett wrote the music, and as each section of song was written, Tyler and I shaped and set dance to it. All together, we developed the storyline and casted the dance.”

With three students working together in a whole new light, co-choreographer and Lansing junior Tyler Bradley had to make minor adjustments to his teaching style.

"The directorial process was a great learning experience for me. Not only were Adam and I choreographers, but we were leaders, as well. This was a great experience for me," Bradley said. "I'm usually the kind of person who likes to get all the work done beforehand and brainstorm without a lot of people around me; however, because of the size of the cast, this was not possible. I had to step out of my comfort zone and create art with people watching. I have to thank the dancers for being so patient with Adam and I and for being willing to try everything we threw at them. "

The cast included nine dancers and 15 musicians. Rehearsal began as early as November and took place every Saturday. Naubinway sophomore Sarah Bomber had the role of lead dancer.

“I am a dancer and have been one since I could walk," she said. "Ballet has always been my style of choice, and I wanted to perform for this one. This is an original composition by the School of Music students and is an opportunity that I will most likely never be able to do again. A student-led performance is extremely different and was a new process for me. It was still as professional and efficient as any others, but everyone became very dedicated and more connected.”

While the composition flowed with the fluidity of the dancing, the ballet ultimately created a dream, which graduate student Cally Klimczak felt came to life.

“This is the first time I have ever been to a ballet. I heard about the play from Jarret, the composer. He gave me a little insight, and I could tell that his vision was captured very well,” said Klimczak. “It was so beautiful. I loved the music so much that at times I wanted to just close my eyes and have a dream, but I couldn’t stop watching the dancing.”