In April, 35 Central Michigan University students auditioned for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: To perform with a professional dance company in Japan.

“It was kind of nerve-wracking to see all of the different people who were there to audition and trying (their) hardest to get in,” Kingsford senior Sara Orchard said. "It was a lot of fun during the audition process too."

Shortly after, eight dancers received emails congratulating them for being chosen to travel to Japan.

The opportunity arose in February when Masashi Action Machine, a professional dance company in Japan, visited campus. While at CMU, the members of the group invited students and faculty to perform in Japan with them.

Theater and dance faculty member Heather Trommer-Beardslee worked through the summer to plan the trip and performance. She worked with theater and dance faculty member Keeley Stanley-Bohn, alumna Chelsea Robinson and student Mariah Sterley to choreograph the show.

Students began their rehearsals on the first day of the fall semester to prepare for the December performance.

On Dec. 15, Trommer-Beardslee and theater and dance chairperson Steve Berglund will perform with the students and Masashi Action Machine in Nagoya, Japan.

“This is a great opportunity for students to learn about cultural aspects of another country and how dance fits into that culture," Trommer-Beardslee said. "It is also an opportunity for students to grow artistically as young artists and have an opportunity to perform on an international stage.”

The students will perform the entirety of the first act, which includes seven dances. Trommer-Beardslee will also be featured in some of the dances. It will be the first time she performs on stage with her students.

“I am excited for Heather to perform with us because it is something we have never seen either,” Orchard said. “It’s kind of sweet because she has never really danced with us before; she always just teaches us.”

The second act, which will feature a large live band, will mostly be performed by Masashi Action Machine, with two dances from CMU and one collaborative dance.

Masashi Action Machine will perform the final act, with Berglund playing the role of the American Santa Claus.

“CMU is going to have a significant presence (in) the concert and a presence in all three acts,” Trommer-Beardslee said.

The group will be in Japan Dec. 11-18. On the days prior to their performance, they will be practicing on stage with the dance company and band. After the performance, they will spend a day participating in cultural activities and observing the dance program at the university in Nagoya and exploring the city on another day.

“I’m excited to learn about the culture and really appreciate the differences from here to there," Clinton Township senior Jazmine Banks said. "To live in that moment and just really get away from here to just breathe and have fun, I think that’s probably what I’m looking forward to the most."

The trip is sponsored by the College of the Arts and Media, the Faculty Research and Creative Endeavors Grant and the Undergraduate Presentation Grant.

“These eight students have been working so incredibly hard, their dedication has just been phenomenal,” Trommer-Beardslee said. “I am excited to see them on that stage to have their first international dance performance and professional dance credit.”