NIU’s Animation Dance Troupe (ADT) has goals of competing in recognized competitions, but is currently thrilled about performing showcases.

Animation, organized through the Philippine Student Association, was established seven years ago. The group’s dancing exemplifies the hip-hop dance style, incorporating variations such as body popping, house, locking, and more contemporary styles, said Louie Debulgado, senior health and human sciences major. Animation performs showcases three to four times a semester. Each semester, a new team of both newcomers and returning members is built. The majority of members come from a zero-experience dancing background, including co-ordinator and choreographer Debulgado.

“The unique thing about us [Animation] is we pick our team off potential to grow,” Debulgado said.

Debulgado joined Animation as a freshmen with no dance experience and considered Animation a hobby. Now in his eighth semester as a team member, Debulgado said he learned a lot about dancing.

“Contemporary hip-hop has hardly scratched the surface; there’s still a lot that can be done,” Debulgado said.

While becoming a professional dancer or choreographer may not be the goal of members, Debulgado encourages members to look at dancing as an opportunity.

“A big goal Animation pushes is for members to want to dance, and to want to keep dancing post-graduation,” Debulgado said.

Debulgado said Animation sheds a new light on what dancing is all about. Some members, like senior English major Jason Yi, gain a newfound confidence in themselves.

“I was the kind of person to have stage fright, but performing has helped me break out of my shell,” Yi said. “I use Animation as a tool to enhance my dancing and as a stress reliever.”

Multi-year members aren’t the only ones who grow as individuals. One of Animation’s newest members, Nate Wong, junior computer science major, said Animation helps him to stay happy.

“Doing something different has boosted my own morale; I’ve gained a lot of confidence in myself,” Wong said.

Wong added that will take this confidence with him when he prepares for stressful situations.

For Wong, Animation practice is a positive experience.

“Usually everyone is happy, so it’s a stress relieving environment,” Wong said.

Animation Dance Troupe’s next performance is for the Asian American Association Fashion Show at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Carl Sandburg Auditorium. Entrance fee is $4 for NIU students and $5 for non-NIU students. For more information, contact [email protected].