For about a minute and a half on Wednesday afternoon, Schine Student Center was filled with exuberant characters as the First Year Players staged their annual flash mob.

The event — complete with music, dancing and neon accessories — attempted to publicize FYP’s six fall workshops, two each in acting, dancing and singing, and announce their 21st show, “The Wedding Singer,” to be staged April 4-6.

Before the flash mob began, the 15 or so dancers involved covered the telltale “First Year Players” logos on their shirts with hoodies, flannels and cardigans thrown polo-match style across their shoulders with the sleeves dangling over the bright purple design, and newspapers held playfully in front of their chests.

As the foyer slowly filled with the normal afternoon traffic, FYP members set up two small speakers on the information desk and placed themselves strategically around the main lobby.

At exactly 12:38 p.m., a loud musical number burst out over the quiet buzz of conversation. The first dancer immediately donned neon sunglasses, leapt up and began dancing to the fast-paced “Live in Living Color” from the Broadway musical, “Catch Me If You Can.”

Others quickly slipped on their sunglasses and into character, and began spinning, snapping and tossing their heels. Some participants danced on the benches wrapped around the Student Center staircase while others placed themselves in a loose formation near the information desk, catching the eye of anyone who entered the building.

The exuberant participants clapped and shimmied in sync, male dancers swung their female counterparts through the air and curious students and staff craned their necks for a better look.

With all dancers in action and a crowd gathered at the edges of the hall, three more members paraded in carrying a painted plywood F, Y and P that were nearly 6 feet tall. When the upbeat, brassy music cut, the crowd cheered approvingly and the performers excitedly began to chant “FYP” over applause.

FYP’s assistant choreographer, senior psychology major Brianna Lecce, said she was pleased with the turnout. Their careful timing paid off and a healthy lunchtime crowd was there to witness the performance.

The flash mob — the fourth in what is now a fall tradition for FYP — had a deeper purpose than livening up a cloudy Wednesday afternoon. As their public relations director, senior advertising and marketing major Rodney Fleming said the Players wished to generally encourage involvement in their organization — the tall black-and-gold letters in Schine’s lobby stood not only for “First Year Players,” but also for the organization’s motto, “find your place,” Fleming said.

First Year Players, founded in 1992, encourages first-year students not majoring in drama to get involved in the performing arts through their workshops, spring musical and other events. Interested students can audition for “The Wedding Singer” on Jan. 19-20 or sign up for the acting, singing and dancing workshops that will take place prior to that.

The students involved in the event felt well-rewarded for their efforts.

“I loved it,” Fleming said.

However, Fleming said that with the musical, fall workshops and plenty of other events on the calendar, today’s flash mob served only as a taste of what FYP has in store.

Published on September 26, 2012 at 11:12 pm

Contact Maggie: mmcregan@syr.edu