Admissions counselors by day, musical performers by night

Pushing paper around all day does not usually inspire the creativity juices to flow, but for university admissions counselors Avi Amon and Drew Rifkin, a simple break from the daily grind inspired a whole new direction for the admissions office.

Looking for a creative project to present during a yearly staff retreat, Amon and Rifkin chose to compose, direct and act in an original musical piece spoofing the stressful period from November to March during which admissions counselors read thousands of potential student applications. Titling the video "Reading Season," the pair put their performance up on YouTube in the hopes of sharing their production with friends.

Approximatly15,000 views later, Amon said there probably is not an admissions counselor in the nation who has not seen that video. 

"I was expecting our office –– maybe like 20 people," Amon said about how many people he expected to view the video. "But by the next morning we had like 600 hits."

Inspired by the success of their debut video, Amon and Rifkin have set their sights on a new project, bigger and more elaborate than the first. "Delaware: the Musical" will be a full-scale project aimed at providing an entertaining take on why students should attend the university, Amon said.

Described on its Facebook group page as "‘Enchanted' meets the University of Delaware," the new video will feature a full ensemble cast providing answers to potential-student questions through song and choreographed dance numbers.

E-mail messages were sent out to perspective students asking for questions they have deciding which college to choose. The questions will be answered in a style that projects the university's flair, enthusiasm and pride, he said.

While he declined to give details about the production, Amon said the video will culminate with a huge dance number across the Green.

A '08 alumnus of the university, he said he drew inspiration from his musical background which pre-dates his days of performing with the Deltones on campus. Amon composed and performed an original song for "Reading Season" and said the project has been a good creative outlet.

The pair is utilizing everything the university has to offer, drawing on students, alumni, and employees to produce the video.

"I think we have a really good energy of people working on this project," Amon said.

Alumna Kaitlin Sweeney, choreographer for the musical, said once she heard about the project she immediately wanted to be a part of it.

Sweeney has been a choreographer for a number of years on campus and also in New York City.

"Projects like this are what I live for, practically," Sweeney said.

She said she is excited for the release of the video, which will appear on YouTube by mid-March in time for "yield season," when the incoming class is accepted into the university.

"This is a chance for us to show the world what we're all made of, what we're all about and that we're here to have fun," Sweeney said.

Amon said there has already been a huge response from students from all different groups interested in being part of the project and every day it is getting bigger.

The project is not just for musicians, dancers and theatre groups.  Everyone can get involved even if it is just to be a body cheering in the background, he said.

The pair hopes to get thousands of the students on campus involved to show support for the university and their project.

The video will appear online and will be sent out to all students, prospective students and alumni via email.

"I think a lot of alums are going to be excited about this video and it will kind of help them reminisce about their experiences here at Delaware," Rifkin said.

Potentially, this video will be only the second of an intended four-part series detailing the four seasons of admissions.

"With this video we're trying to convey to prospective students our excitement about the university," Rifkin said. "Every school does the same thing but we're trying to make this process a little more personal."

Snapping his fingers, Amon tried to convey that indescribable yet pivotal moment of the students' admission decision.

"It's intended to bottle that feeling of you know where you are supposed to be," Rifkin said.