We have collected hundreds of personal narratives from students, alumni, faculty, and staff that explain the merits and strengths of Oberlin through the eyes of those who have experienced it firsthand.
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On the “best kept secret in the Midwest”
Holland Hamilton ’11
“Before coming to Oberlin, I had sworn off theater completely. In fact, I was done with performing in general. But looking back, I have no clue how I thought I could have gotten away with choosing...
On performing with Oberlin’s female and trans* hip hop dance group And What!?
Isabelle Harari ’17
“Our identity as dancers makes sure our audiences leave with material to ponder, discuss, and continue to engage with after our shows.”
On writing and producing her own play
Maggie Keenan-Bolger ’06
“Without the tenacity and fearlessness of the staff at Oberlin, as well as the flexibility of creative exploration, From the Inside, Out would never have become a reality.”
On merging dance lives
Molly Gorin ’16
“I never thought I would be able to put a rapper dance side by side with a contemporary duet, but here I am today.”
On making connections while dancing in Warner Main
Natalia Shevin ’17
“Contact improvisation about learning to work with anything. Through listening and through movement, we learn to be responsive. ”
On discovering hip-hip culture at Oberlin
Niels Bantilan ’09
“As I accumulated more knowledge about the music, art, and history of hip-hop through my independent research, I started to think outside the dance.”
On being a member of the Sunshine Scouts
Sam Skove ’12
“I felt I was part of a kinetic community, rather than a hermetically sealed club. They did improv because they liked using their imaginations.”
On bonding over Boredom, a semi-improvised drama
Shawn Roggenkamp ’08
“My other friends couldn’t believe that we had Saturday night rehearsals, but the cast would have all spent Saturday nights together regardless.”
On the energy of the arts at Oberlin
Adam Kander ’07
“This is Oberlin at its best. The constant performance, observation, and absorption of art in all its various forms. Oberlin is a place where art and creativity thrive, as long as there are students...
On learning tango
Amy Hess ’12
“Nothing is as awkward as the first class of Argentine tango. Take two very nervous strangers, both aware of their mutual ignorance of dancing, make them stand chest-to-chest and hold each other, and...
On there being too much to do at Oberlin
Ben Ferber ’11
“I always thought I was good at time management, but handling five classes, three plays, two student organizations, an RA job, a radio show, and a social life as an Oberlin sophomore is a little like...