Staying true to its name, Synthesis Dance Theater gives students total creative control. At UCLA, Synthesis sets itself apart as a jazz and contemporary dance club where students not only perform, but also take artistic ownership of their art form and form a tight-knit community in the process. Synthesis’ publicity chair, Sophia Samen, a second-year global studies student, said that the autonomy found in Synthesis’ creative process is what distinguishes this dance club on campus.
“We are fully student-run,” Samen said. “I think what makes us unique…is that we have a lot of opportunities for students to choreograph and explore their own artistic capabilities…and there’s no limitations to that.”
This freedom comes with the cost of responsibility. Synthesis offers a plethora of leadership positions for members to grow in involvement and personal character, but stepping into one is far from easy. Whether these dancers decide to utilize artistic or professional skills, all titles require grit to navigate learning finances, communication and leadership.
Christine Barber, one of the clubs’s four core directors and a fourth-year pure math and European languages and transcultural studies student, experienced the challenge of intense responsibility. What began as a role centered around maintaining dancers’ physicality quickly evolved. Barber now balances advisors, running schedules, auditions, developing choreography and overseeing the other chairs on top of being a dancer on the team, but she promises it is all rewarding.
“All of those moments where you’re like, oh my gosh, I’m so stressed,” Barber said. “We’re working day in, day out and then at the end you see a final product…You just feel so proud of all the work that you put in.”
Samen felt it was natural for her to step into the role of publicity chair, drawn to Synthesis’ collaborative message and uplifting creative projects, she was eager to shape the brand of Synthesis on campus. She said she savors maintaining the creative, clear-cut, colorful aesthetic of their Instagram page, highlighting social media as a likely reason new members are drawn to this “family” in particular amid such a sizable campus.
A leap Samen took to expand Synthesis’ identity on campus was a collaboration with Good Morning UCLA, the popular social media account created by the famed Charlie Kratus. Samen reported a sizable increase in followers on Synthesis’ account ahead of auditions after collaborating with Kratus’ account of over 51k followers. In a university as large as UCLA, Samen found a tenacity to make Synthesis known among the throng of organizations through her publicity chair position.
Beyond keeping up with social media posts, Samen’s favroite memory is the creative pride in her development of Synthesis’ promotional music video. On their Instagram, it immediately catches any viewer’s eye because of the professionalism and effort put into every second of footage. Samen recounts the extensive process of her perfectionism and need for “just one more take”, which made the enduring challenges all the more rewarding.
“[It was] my first time choreographing, and then doing this…big project, and it was really challenging but so rewarding,” Samen said.
Samen explained that this was her first time as a dancer taking the reins on every aspect of the project, from being creatively thrifty to encouraging her team members to bring their all on filming days, and the opportunity to have all-encompassing leadership is something she will never forget.
For Barber, her favorite memory with Synthesis was their Spring Sing performance. Performing for the celebrity judges and the large crowd placed a hefty amount of pressure on Barber and her team, but deliver they did.
“It was our first time performing in Spring Sing,” Barber said. “We were all working really hard as a team. Once I see the product, I’m like, this is worth it. This is what I’m doing and it’s so fulfilling”.
Barber emphasized that the performance was less about the glitz and glamour and more about the effort and hard work poured in from every member. Every challenge and performance the members face, they demonstrate pure passion and perseverance, showcasing the power behind a bonded, student-led team.
A testament to the clubs dedication to fostering strong connections between members is found in the the superlatives the directors gift at the end-of-year banquet. One of the directors, fourth-year physiological science student Ava Ward, recalls playfully uplifting the dancer with the most fantastical closet, who would show up to rehearsals and socials in the widest variety of bold outfits, as well as recognizing a teammate who pushed through the season with an injured, booted foot. These seemingly silly awards resonate because they represent each director forming a personal bond with every member. Ward reflected on the resounding cornerstone that upholds the passion for and within Synthesis — the community.
“[Synthesis has] become the most awesome part of my college life,” Ward said. “[Without Synthesis] I wouldn’t have found such an awesome family…You enter college a little timid, but you find your people.”
For any Bruin craving involvement and connection on campus, the resounding advice from Synthesis executive board is clear — just go for it. Fill out that application. Take that leap of faith to audition. Because in the end, it’s not all about being the perfect applicant or member. According to Synthesis, the real value lies in the connections and growth behind the scenes.
“Synthesis makes UCLA feel like home,” Samen said.
