.Bringing the Show to Purdue Indianapolis
On April 19, members of the Purdue performing arts community collaborated to host the first live concert at Purdue in Indianapolis. The concert, produced by the Live Events & Production (LEAP) student organization, featured Freeplay, a student band that rehearses in Elliott Hall of Music.
LEAP (Live Events and Production) allows students to gain real-world experiences in live event production. Club members promote functions and run lights and sound for many of the concerts on campus. Expanding on this experience, LEAP made a special trip to Purdue Indianapolis to set up the first student organization-produced concert.
“Putting on events like these takes months of planning,” says Maddie O’Neal, marketing and outreach chair for the student organization. “We have to acquire the gear and how we will set up the event, find bands that are available for the event and train members, so they are well prepared to put on a show.”
The Indianapolis concert gave LEAP a chance to showcase its skills and expand its role in Purdue’s music scene.
“For me, being a part of LEAP and getting to do show like this in Indy helps me broaden my knowledge in the live entertainment industry,” says O’Neal.
Freeplay, the featured student band, has worked with LEAP to perform four times. Active for several years, they bring a unique energy to any venue they play in with their funk, pop and rock fusion music. The five-member band has original music out on music platforms. Fans can find up-to-date information on Instagram.
Freeplay practices in JamSpace, a space with core music equipment open to Purdue students. JamSpace is located in Elliott Hall of Music and supported by Hall of Music Productions and Purdue Convocations. Students interested in gaining access to JamSpace can reserve practice slots via email.
The music scene is an ever-growing community, on the hunt for opportunities to expand and share music with students in need of creative outlets.
“This is the first step of many,” says Dustin Rogers, advisor to LEAP and technical coordinator of lighting. “This was a great learning opportunity for everyone involved and we’re curious about what the future holds.”
More opportunities for students to experience live music on both the West Lafayette and Indianapolis Purdue campuses are on the horizon.
“I think it's important to connect students to the live music scene to give them the opportunity to escape from the stressful environment of college to have some fun for a night and listen to music,” says O’Neal.
Get Involved with JamSpace
The JamSpace is a rehearsal workspace for Purdue students. The Hall of Music Productions and Purdue Convocations teams support students’ journeys into the local music scene through this space. At the JamSpace, students are provided with basic guitar and bass amps, a keyboard, drumkit and a small PA system. JamSpace is located in the lower level of Elliott Hall of Music. Prospective users must be registered Purdue students and each group must meet with a representative of the Hall of Music to review and sign a usage policy framework. Students interested in JamSpace are encouraged to reach out via email to schedule time. Emails to connect with include: HLMCadmin@purdue.edu and walterak@purdue.edu.
Get Involved with Live Events And Productions
Students at LEAP gain real world experience and educational opportunities working in aspects of the live event industry including audio, lighting, video, staging, projections, marketing, event planning and producing. Students interested in learning more and getting involved can reach out by emailing leap1@purdue.edu and by following them on Instagram.