Students of every kind join together in groups, each of which presents a 12-minutes-long show that features singing, dancing, creative sets, costumes, and a completely original script. All of the show’s components are based upon a central theme, which is specifically unique to each year’s Songfest. Before performances begin, student cast members have just two weeks of fun-filled, close-quartered, and late-hour nights for rehearsal, production, and set construction. During this rehearsal period, they try to master and perfect as quickly as possible all the production elements as directed to them by their group leaders, who spend most of the school year selecting, designing, writing, and preparing each group’s show material.

Though community is at the heart of Songfest, these student groups are also in competition with each other, and their performances are judged in several categories by a panel of entertainment-industry professionals and Pepperdine community members. At the conclusion of the final performance, the student group with the highest accumulated scores is presented the Songfest Sweepstakes Award.

Songfest also features several performances by the Songfest Hosts, a small ensemble of very talented students who spend several months preparing specially arranged music, choreography, and theme-based skits. The Hosts help to orient each audience throughout the show, and they provide for some wonderful transition and continuity from group to group.

2008 Performance Dates March 18-21, 8:00p.m. March 22, 2:00 and 8:00p.m. Tickets will go on sale in mid-February through the Smothers Theatre Box Office at 310-506-4522. For show information contact Student Activities at 310-506-4201 or songfest@pepperdine.edu.