Choreographer Eric Rivera gives senior dance major Nathan Fister corrections during rehearsal on April 21, 2015. Rivera was one of three choreographers with a piece in the spring performance, Evening of Dance, which would also be Fister's last performance at WKU.

After rehearsing his piece with Mara Brand, Nathan wipes the sweat from his face. Apart from his duet with Brand, Fister was also preparing to perform in two other pieces for Evening of Dance. “They’re all so different. They all require a different person," he said. "It’s nice to have to have to push myself and challenge myself to give a different dancer for every dance.”

Nathan Fister gives direction to the kids of his jazz class at BG OnStage April 18, 2015. Despite teaching in the community, Fister does not aspire to be a teacher or choreographer after graduating.

Fister and Brand stay after rehearsal on April 21 to run through their performance again with choreographer Eric Rivera. It was not uncommon for Fister and other dance students to have to spend extra time in the studio.

Nathan Fister and Erin Ratliff make a late-night run to Dairy Queen after a three hour rehearsal on April 27. Although dancers are supposed to have strict diet, Fister and Ratliff were nicknamed ‘Dirty 1’ and ‘Dirty 2’ for their indulgent eating habits.

Nathan takes a break with friends while setting up the Alpha Psi Omega prom at Gordon Wilson Hall April 17. Due to the demanding nature of the dance program, most of Nathan’s friends are also in the dance program. Nathan was an officer of Alpha Psi Omega, the theater and dance fraternity, which allowed him to become friends with theater majors as well as other dancers.

Fister performs alongside Ratliff in the senior showcase in Gordon Wilson Theatre April 25. It was an annual tradition for all graduating seniors in the theatre and dance program to prepare a performance for the showcase.

Nathan Fister and fellow dancer leave Gordon Wilson Hall after a ten-hour day of dance classes and rehearsal. When preparing for an upcoming performance, it was typical to not leave the studio until after it was dark out. “Dance is a way of life...I don’t know what my life would be like if I didn’t live in the studio.”