On January 27, 2000, 16 representatives of Students of Arts Management (SAM) and OCU's School of American Dance and Arts Management, will depart for Las Vegas, Nevada. Thirteen dance management and entertainment business majors, along with one dance management graduate, and two faculty members will spend four days touring theatres, seeing shows, and learning the business of show business - Vegas Style. These students will observe the intricate and expensive productions for which Las Vegas is known as well as the components which make them a success.

Through contact with OCU graduates who live in Las Vegas, Melanie Stovall and Rachel Jacquemain, faculty sponsors have arranged "behind the scenes" tours of several productions and facilities. Erika Reuter, BS - Dance Management '86, and Carrie Owens, BPA - Dance Performance '96, are performing in "EFX!" with Tommy Tune at the Grand Showroom of the MGM Casino. The SAM visitors will see the show and take a backstage tour. They will have the same experience at the Flamingo Hilton Hotel, where the Las Vegas branch of the Radio City Rockettes is housed. Karen Kasteel, BPA - Dance '92, and Tonya Loveday, BPA - Dance '93, perform at the venue. In addition, the group will tour the museum of Liberance Foundation, a non-profit arts organization. They will have the opportunity to speak with both the executive director and the grants coordinator of the foundation. Bellagio Art Gallery, which houses over $300 million of artwork masterpieces, is another stop for the group of SAM. Finally, they will attend a performance of Cirque de Soleil's "Mystere," at Treasure Island Hotel. A possible tour of the hotel and casino facilities at Treasure Island is being arranged.

The members of SAM were responsible for the cost of the trip which is approximately $600 per person. However, by setting a point system for fundraising efforts, some were able to minimize the cost. Fundraising efforts throughout the year have included dancewear sales through cooperation with Creative Dancewear, apparel sales featuring American Spirit and School of American Dance and Arts Management logos, and the sale of ads and production of the program for the 1999 Student Choreography Show.

According to Melanie Stovall, Faculty Advisor for SAM, the Las Vegas trip will "give students of arts management and entertainment business a real insight into the management field. They will be exposed to various aspects of the business, including non-profit management, show production management, and casino/hotel management. They will also learn about the hiring process and make significant contacts which will aid them after graduation. It is such an education just to see these technically giant productions, requiring millions of dollars to produce."

The 16 members of SAM Las Vegas trip depart on Thursday, January 27 and return Sunday, January 30.