Iowa State’s departments of dance, music and theater can put on a show themselves and always expect an audience. But what happens when the three come together for one weekend?

Many hours of hard work and dedication combine three ISU departments for their 61st annual Barjche performance. The performers will stage their annual show this weekend for audiences of different tastes.

The tradition of combining the three departments into one show came alive in 1944, when three students — Barbara Sgarlat Drexler, Charlotte Ann Stuart and Jean Ringoen Williams — decided to try something new.

The title Barjche comes from the first few letters of the three students’ names, and the tradition still lights up the stage.

This year’s Barjche features the talent of more than 40 student members of Orchesis I performing dances by nine student choreographers, two dance faculty and the work of one professional choreographer.

The choreography is open ended, leaving it up to the audience to interpret the meaning behind the dance.

“I never explain my dances. If I have to do that, I probably haven’t done my job as a choreographer,” says Vernon Windsor, choreographer and composer for the “Presence” piece. “I did title the dance to help the audience understand. There are many definitions of the word ‘Presence,’ and all of them apply.”

Not every choreographer in the production is from around Ames, or even Iowa. Kim Olson, a professional choreographer, came from Boulder, Colo. to share her choreography with the students. During three days of intensive work under her guidance, she says, the final piece was born.

“It was a very intensive weekend, but in only three days she created a gorgeous dance,” says Amy Martin, lecturer in health and human performance and the artistic director of Barjche.

This year, Barjche will be performed earlier than in the previous years — however, that will not prevent dancers from getting it done on time.

“We have less time to choreograph each dance. The fact that the dancers produce such work with so few rehearsals is amazing,” Windsor says. “Different dancers are at various stages in their development; some have a tremendous desire to improve, others just dance for fun. I think the audience will be very pleased.”

There is a variety of majors involved in the production, ranging from theater and dance to chemistry, computer science and engineering.

“I believe that the range of different majors creates a healthy and competitive atmosphere for students to celebrate how different we are, but at the same time contribute our personal knowledge in the world of dance,” says Janice Baker, assistant professor of health and human performance, and choreographer for the show.

Even though dancing is a big part in the dance performance, there are other factors that require the production to be successful.

The students not only perform in the concert but also are choreographers, lighting designers, costume designers, stage managers and part of the stage crew.

“It’s a fun, cooperative process opportunity for the students to be engaged in the process,” says Jim Trenberth, technical director for the production. “All people see at the end is the final result. People do not always know what really goes on behind the scenes. Nobody wants to feel the labor pains; all they want to see is a baby, a final result.”

The final result will be a diverse dance performance that will appeal to people with many different interests.

“Some of the dances are very funny, some serious, some sad, some competitive,” Martin says. “I think that each audience member will find something interesting and intriguing. The dancing and performances are also very strong. The dancers put every ounce of energy into their performances and, as a viewer, you can’t help but be drawn in.”

What: Barjche (Bar-SHAY)

Where: Fisher Theater

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday

Cost: $6