De Anza students not only learned, but were given the chance to prove what they are made of.

The showcase is held every spring quarter in celebration of the end of the year, giving an open space for students to speak and others to listen. Since the opening of the VPAC, Stimson got approval from Dean of Creative Arts, Nancy Canter, to invite students of creative arts and performance arts and provide them with an open space once a year. 

From her personal experience as a performer, she admits that there is only so much you can do on your own. 

“There does come a point where you really need that audience,” said Stimson. “You really need that experience. That’s when you really figure out what you are made of.”

The showcase is a place for students to use their voice and an accumulation of what they have learned throughout the year in an environment that goes beyond a classroom, where the setting is unexpected, capturing the true feeling of performance. 

Lailani Africa 23, psychology major, performed two songs during the showcase after the audience cheered for an encore. 

“It’s amazing for a lot of different people from different mediums to come together and show their art and show their stories,” said Africa. “I feel like I’m more confident on stage than in real life sometimes. I love that I can be myself; I say whatever I feel.”

I can let everything loose, let all the hurt, all the pain, all the happiness come out on stage.”

Even though the VPAC was not a packed room, the performers and the audience were not fazed. The show went on with a comfortable and interactive atmosphere. There were nine performances in total, ranging from skits, hip-hop, and even stand up. 

Sign ups to perform were held until the last minute before the showcase had begun. However, Stimson admits that this what creates the true spirit of the showcase; there is no pressure. For her, in a way it is an “anti-performance, because nothing is structured. Stimson holds no expectations about the showcase, and lets the evening create itself. She also loves that no one dictates the event, and the idea remains of just being offered a space.

“[In performance] there is that sense of you have to hit a mark, or you have to do this, you have to do that,” said Stimson, “as opposed to just experiencing you own artistry. I want them to simply experience the construct of their art and an audience. And look what we have, it’s a fantastic space.”

“I can let everything loose, let all the hurt, all the pain, all the happiness come out on stage.”

Even though the VPAC was not packed, the performers and the audience were not fazed. The show went on with a comfortable and interactive atmosphere. There were nine performances in total, ranging from skits and hip-hop, to stand-up. 

Sign-ups to perform were held until the last minute before the showcase had begun. But Stimson said that this is what creates the true spirit of the showcase; there is no pressure. For her, in a way, it is an “anti-performance, because nothing is structured.” Stimson holds no expectations about the showcase, and lets the evening create itself. She also loves that no one dictates the event, and the idea remains of just being offered a space.

“[In performance] there is that sense of you have to hit a mark, or you have to do this, you have to do that,” said Stimson, “as opposed to just experiencing you own artistry. I want them to simply experience the construct of their art and an audience. And look what we have, it’s a fantastic space.”