By Matt Holsapple
Summer Reporter

Even though Indianapolis is an hour away and Chicago is approximately two; Purdue students can experience the highest level in performing arts without even leaving campus.

Each year, Purdue Convocations brings many professional touring performance to campus. These performances range from Broadway musicals and jazz ensembles to chamber music and ballet.

Todd Wetzel, director of Purdue Convocations, said that this year's season offers students the variety and quality of performances that they could see in nearby cities, such as Chicago, Indianapolis or Cincinnati.

"We've got world-class performances right here in our back yard. These are the same professional groups that play the big cities," Wetzel said.

According to Wetzel, it is not just the proximity that makes Convocations appealing to students, but the price.

"There is no other point in your life when you can get these prices for these kinds of shows," he said.

Purdue Convocations sells tickets for its shows at greatly reduced prices than typical of these shows. The regular Convocations price run around 30 percent lower than the same shows at other venues. Student discounts reduce the prices even more.

In addition to the already discounted prices, students can purchase a Big Deal Card. This card costs $50 and entitles the purchaser to a ticket to any five different performances. This brings the cost of each performance to $10.

The one regulation of the Big Deal card is that students cannot use it to purchase more than one ticket for the same performance; it has to be used for five different shows.

This is to expose students to a larger number of different types of performances, according to Sue Stevens, Purdue Convocations publicist. "We want people to be able to sample different types of shows," Stevens said.

This is possibly the lowest price that people pay to see some of these performances anywhere in the country, Wetzel said.

The 2000-20001 Purdue Convocations season features a wide variety of performances. The highlight of the season is three touring Broadway musicals: "Chicago," "Jekyll and Hyde" and "Showboat."

Wetzel pointed out that even though the Broadway shows bring in the most interest, the other performances are just as worthwhile to students. "We go way beyond Broadway," said Wetzel.

Other shows in the new season include "Dracula" performed by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, "Die Fledermaus" performed by the Western Opera Theatre, "Vincent" a one-man play about Vincent Van Gogh, AEROS featuring 15 former Romanian gymnasts, and a tribute to Louis Armstrong, among many others.

There are a total of 30 acts scheduled, but more may be added. Last year, two performances of "Cats" among other things were added once the season was underway.

Wetzel said that it is his hope that this season will draw in lots of students.

"I believe that when people take the time to enter the theater for a performance, no matter what the show, magic will happen," said Wetzel. "Then they will come back."