Every THON weekend, dancers crowd the floors of the Bryce Jordan Center to stand for 46 hours. This year though, theyâll be standing in their apartments, watching a virtual livestream and trying to stay awake without the help of a crowd.
THON provides students a chance to raise money each year to help children with pediatric cancer. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, THON will be held virtually this year from Feb. 19-21.
THON has recommended dancers do not stand for the full 46 hours this year for safety reasons, according to some dancers. THON has taken measures to make sure dancers get sleep by streaming loops of videos from earlier in the event from 12 to 6 a.m. on both nights.
For the first time in its four years of existence, the THON Showcase took place over a livestream Monday night. Although virtual, the showcase was still able to bring the same excitement and energy as years past.
The event, which was sponsored by First National Bank, had representatives from 15 different THON organizations perform different talents and acts. These groups included Penn State CrossFit, Tapestry Dance Company, The Statesmen, Eclipse, Epsilon Sigma Alpha, Orchesis Dance Company, Supply Logistics Captain Committee, Donor Alumni Relations, Penn State Thespian Society, DoofenSchwartz Evil Inc., Penn State Dance Alliance, JulManji and FOTO.
Kelsey Wolf, the THON Showcase chair, opened up the night by introducing the judges of the performances. Wolf also introduced the acts before they performed. Before the event began, she announced that 10 random people watching the livestream would receive a $275 donation for their THON organizations.
The event took place virtually this year and featured a slew of both virtual and recorded events.
The show’s fourth-place performer was Grace Kave, who represented Penn State Crossfit with a medley of songs as the first act of the evening.
Hailey Burbage represented JULmanji: Dancer Relations Committee and took third place.
Eclipse’s Daniel Tracht and Jake Maloney took second place and will also perform at THON Weekend. Last year, Tracht and Maloney were part of a trio of members from Eclipse
Later, Tapestry Dance Company took the stage following Kave’s performance and danced to “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice. The five performers all danced from individual locations but were edited together.