A seemingly enthusiastic man who also seems to have plenty spinning through his mind, finally sits down to his electric bass guitar and begins to play with a small ensemble of other musicians. He feels the music through the tapping of his toes and the nodding of his head with his eyes closed. His facial expressions show his approval of the performance of the piece, which he wrote himself.
When that piece is complete, Jason Smith, graduate student and music listening center coordinator, is only just beginning to show off his many artistic talents. Smith assumes the roles of a director, singer, set designer, microphone coordinator, conductor, composer, instrumentalist and actor in a production he is putting on to feature his multiple artistic personalities.
Smith is putting on the show, titled "He Who Is Me," so that he has something to record and present to his newborn daughter later on in life. He started planning this when his wife was in the third trimester of pregnancy with their daughter, and now that he is performing it, she is two months old.
"I have trouble telling someone about myself," Smith said. "Performing and writing is basically the heart of me, and I want to show my daughter who I am through my music."
Behind the music lie the many musicians, dancers, singers and actors that worked to help put on Smith's production. Smith had 22 student volunteers to help him produce his show. Many were friends and former students, but to recruit more students, Smith signed on to www.thefacebook.com and sent out a message to students from the school of music and the school of dance.
Kelly Honan, sophomore and flute soloist in Smith's show, said she feels this show is different from other concerts because it has more of a relaxed atmosphere and Smith makes sure it stays that way.
Smith "is not a typical musician -- he has a unique talent. He works in a different way," Honan said.
"It's his show, but he wants us all to have a good time as well," Katie Solina, sophomore and dancer in Smith's show, said. "I think we've all worked really hard, and I hope that our performance shows it."
Smith hopes his show will demonstrate his love for the arts.
"Being an artist is all about doing something personal to you and showing the world," Smith said. Smith's show is tonight in Pruis Hall at 8 p.m. Admission is free and open to all faculty, staff and students.
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