The Department of Dance and Performance Studies develops highly trained, creatively active, and professionally oriented students with its unique curriculum. A Bachelor of Arts degree is offered in dance/performance. An audition is required for acceptance into the major program. The program allows for individual attention from the faculty, all working professionals.
Courses are offered in technique (ballet, modern, jazz, tap, ethnic and social forms), choreography, history, pedagogy, movement analysis, kinesiology, and performance techniques. Additionally, it is the only dance-based university program to provide training in movement theatre in the United States. Majors are expected to maintain a continuing level of technical and creative development and are evaluated each semester by the faculty. Students broaden their backgrounds in the related arts, foster perceptive appreciation and develop a sense of artistic discrimination.
Each year, the department welcomes to campus notable guest artists for teaching and choreographic residencies and performance collaborations. Artists have included Seán Curran, Doug Elkins, Heidi Latsky, Carl Flink, Molissa Fenley, Billy Siegenfeld, Margie Gillis, Creach/Koester, Arthur Hall, Meredith Monk, Marty Beller, Emilie Plauché, Fred Curchack, Bill Evans, Daniel Stein, Laura Glenn, Gilles Obermayer, and Claire Porter.
Selected students have an opportunity to compose, perform, and produce their own works in studio performances. Auditions are held each semester for The Dance Theatre, the university dance company that presents major concert series and mini-concerts, workshops, and presentations in the state and region. Each year, the Dance Theatre participates in the American College Dance Festival in various parts of the country and has performed several times at the National Gala Concert at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.
Any interested dance student may participate in the dance component of the London theatre program during the junior or senior year. PK-12 Dance Teacher Certification is offered for qualified majors through the Department of Education. Students should see the program faculty for information, program requirements, and curriculum advisement.
Degree Requirements
The dance/performance major must satisfy University Core Curriculum requirements. In addition, majors must successfully complete the 42 credits listed below and sufficient electives to total 120 credits. Majors are encouraged to apply electives toward a minor or second major. Majors are also required to participate in a technique class every day and maintain a satisfactory level of competence. Progress is evaluated by faculty each semester.
Foundation Courses – Required – 9 credits
DANCE 101 The Creative Athlete
DANCE 290 Introduction to Choreography
DANCE 310 Dance History
Technique Studies Courses – Required – 15 credits
DANCE 210 Ballet I
and a minimum of 12 credits in Upper Level Technique courses taken from the following:
DANCE 211 Ballet II
DANCE 220 Intermediate Modern/Jazz
Technique and Improvisation I
DANCE 221 Intermediate Modern/Jazz
Technique and Improvisation II
DANCE 301 Intermediate Modern/Jazz
Technique and Improvisation III
DANCE 302 Intermediate Modern/Jazz
Technique and Improvisation IV
DANCE 320 Advanced Technique and Improvisation I
DANCE 321 Advanced Technique and Improvisation II
DANCE 401 Advanced Technique and Improvisation III
DANCE 402 Advanced Technique and Improvisation IV
A daily technique class in Modern, Jazz, and/or Ballet (credit or audit) is required of all majors.
Note: Majors must complete a proficiency audition for placement into technique and choreography classes.
Theory and Performance Studies Courses – 18 credits
Choose 6 out of the following 7 courses:
DANCE 131 Mime Workshop
DANCE 340 Performance Lab and Movement Analysis
DANCE 390 Choreography for the Theatre
DANCE 425 Kinesiology for Dancers
DANCE 435 The Performance Artist in Society
DANCE 440 Movement Theatre
DANCE 460 Teaching Techniques, Musical
Concepts, and Rhythmic Analysis
Note: Students completing Dance Teacher Certification are required to take DANCE 161 and DANCE 460
DANCE 310 or 435 Dance History or
The Performance Artist in Society
DANCE 290 Introduction to Choreography
12 additional credits in Dance