The University of Scranton may not be an arts school, but there is no shortage of creativity on campus. The university has multiple performing arts clubs, a cappella groups, instrumental groups and more for any student who is interested in the arts.

The university has two theater groups: the student-run group, Liva Arts Company, and the academic theater group, the Scranton Players. While the university has a theater major, these groups do not require you to be studying theater to be involved with their productions. Students from all majors, including English, occupational therapy and computer engineering, performwith these groups and light up the stage of the Royal Theatre in the McDade Center.

Molly McGuinness, a junior communication sciences and disorders major from Stewart Manor, New York, is playing Audrey in the Scranton Players’ production of "Little Shop of Horrors," opening on Feb. 21 in the Royal Theatre. She said she has been acting and singing since she was a child, and she is grateful that she can still pursue her love of performing while in college.

“Being able to be a Scranton Player has been such a special part of my college experience, as I get to step into another person’s shoes and do my best to convey their story to a new audience. Performing has always been a part of me, and I’m blessed to have the opportunity to continue that at The University of Scranton,” she said.

The university also has two a cappella groups: the co-ed Scrantones and the all-female Royal Harmony. The Scrantones are directed by senior Aud Munley and sophomore Delaney Bertram, and Royal Harmony is directed by juniors Jamie Alderfer and Eva Dara. The groups perform a joint concert every semester. Their next performance will be their spring concert, which will be Sunday, April 27 at 3 p.m. in the Moscovitz Theatre.

Sarah Stradley, a sophomore occupational therapy major from Rochester, New York, has been a member of Royal Harmony since her first semester. She performed a solo in the group’s rendition of “I Will Survive” at the winter concert in December. Stradley said she loves being in a cappella both because of the musical expression it allows her and the connections she has made with her fellow group members.

“I really enjoy sharing my love of music with people who are just as passionate as me. I love the songs we get to sing, and I’m so glad to have found a group of girls that I can connect with and enjoy music together,” she said.

In addition to theater and a cappella groups, the university offers other opportunities for musical expression. Performance Music at The University of Scranton encompasses multiple musical groups, both vocal and instrumental, including the University of Scranton Choir, Concert Band, Jazz Band and String Orchestra.

Sally Hopkins, a junior advertising and public relations and journalism and electronic media double major from East Stroudsburg, is a tuba section leader in the concert and jazz bands, as well as a member of the steel pans group. She said she loves playing for these groups because she gets to use a different side of her brain than she does in her courses.

“It’s… extremely rewarding to create music together with dozens of people, each doing their part to make something beautiful, fun or intense — where there’s no competition and pure collaboration,” she said.

Top photo: Sally Hopkins plays the tuba at a band concert in the HoulihanMcLean Center. Courtesy of Cliff Hopkins