Undergraduate

Bachelor of Arts in Dance/Performance

Roger Williams University offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in dance/performance. An audition is required for acceptance into the major program.

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 miniconcerts, 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.

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

Technique Studies Courses – Required – 15 credits

and a minimum of 12 credits in Upper Level Technique courses taken from the following:

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 six out of the following seven courses:

Note: Students completing Dance Teacher Certification are required to take DANCE 161 and DANCE 460