Dance and Performance, Major, Undergraduate Program, RWU

About the Dance and Performance Studies Major

Discover the full breadth of professional dance through Dance and Performance Studies at RWU, where you’ll study technique and theory, collaborate with choreographers and work internationally during our semester-long Dancing in London Program. Our faculty, all working professionals in the field, give individual attention and guidance to broaden your career options beyond performance and choreography with additional coursework in fields such as education, therapy, management, media studies, and more!

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This major is coordinated by the Dance and Performance Studies program.

A Bachelor of Arts degree is offered in Dance and Performance Studies, which develops highly trained, creatively active and professionally oriented students with its unique curriculum. It stresses the development of strong technical and creative work from each student, as they hone skills that will allow them to distinguish themselves professionally. Students are offered professional-level experiences through multiple guest artist residences, study abroad, and participation in the American College Dance Festival.

Students can combine their Dance and Performance Studies major with other programs easily. We will guide you towards partnering the major with another major/minor for a broad range of career options.

Dance and Performance Studies Degree Requirements

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About Dance/Performance at RWU

The program stresses the development of strong technical and creative work from each student. The faculty, all working professionals in the field, works as a team to offer a diverse set of experiences and perspectives to each student. They also work to hone each student’s individuality so that the students will be able to distinguish themselves professionally.

In addition to offering one on one work with an eclectic range of dance artists, the program offers live accompaniment for each technique class and opportunities for students to collaborate with our staff composer. This facilitates interdisciplinary collaborative skills often crucial in professional environments.

Through the program’s technical, theoretical, and creative opportunities, students broaden their backgrounds in the related arts, foster perceptive appreciation and develop artistic discrimination.

Learning Outcomes for Dance and Performance Studies

At RWU, students earn their Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Performance Studies by engaging in the steady practice of movement research, development, performance, and analyses. Students who complete the major will be able to:

Increase proficiency in anatomical efficiency, effort dynamics, and overall technical development.
Heighten cognitive and embodied understanding of both the technical and cultural evolution of Classical Ballet, Modern, Post-modern, & Contemporary forms.
Synthesize performance skills via ongoing participation in numerous, diverse, experiential creative processes and performances.
Exercise a variety of established, experimental, and devised forms of movement composition.
Explore and develop distinct interests and skills as artists and practitioners while situating their work within the larger contexts of history, pedagogy, culture, identity and community.

Academic and Technique Courses in Dance and Performance Studies

Courses are offered in technique:

Ballet
Contemporary
Modern
Mime
Movement Theatre
Ethnic and Social forms

Theory courses include:

Choreography
Dance History
Pedagogy
Movement Analysis
Kinesiology
Performance Techniques
Other Special Topic courses

Real-World Learning in Dance and Performance Studies

Powerful Combinations with Dance and Performance

The dance faculty guides students towards partnering the Dance and Performance Studies major with another major/minor for a broad range of career options in addition to performance and choreography. The skills and degree acquired by our Dance and Performance Studies majors offer many opportunities in the workforce both in and out of the field.

Examples of Powerful Combinations include:

Dance/Psychology towards Dance and Movement Therapy
Dance/Secondary Ed for a Teaching Certification
Dance/Biology for Occupational or Physical Therapy
Dance/Public Relations for work in the Communication field
Dance/Arts Management for non-profit or studio management.

Guest Artists

Each semester the program welcomes to campus notable artists for teaching and choreographic residencies and performance collaborations. Artists have included Jean Abreu, Jason Aryeh, Jorge Crecis, Seán Curran, Hilary Easton, Doug Elkins, Molissa Fenley, Carl Fink, K.J. Holmes, TJ Lowe, Tiffany Mills, Meredith Monk, Neta Pulvermarcher, Christina Robson, Billy Siegenfeld, Takehiro Ueyama, and Kate Weare. The program’s regular influx of visiting guest artists offers students additional styles, forms, and viewpoints through first-hand residencies and repertory work.

Meet Our Guest Artists

Dancing in London

Students can spend the fall semester of their junior year in London working with international technique teachers and choreographers. Students also attend dozens of dance and theater performances presented by both British and international companies. Courses build on the opportunities that London provides with frequent field trips, guest speakers, as well as weekend trips to other parts of England.

Performances and Festivals

The Dance and Performance Studies program stresses the development of strong technical and creative work from each student. Nowhere is this more evident than in our performances. RWU Dance and Performance Studies students have been chosen four times to perform at the American College Dance Festival National Gala at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. And the program has continued to be recognized with invitations to perform at other regional and national galas. Students have received several scholarships and a Dance Magazine choreography nomination.

Choreographed by Christina Robson (class of 2009) in collaboration with the dancers: Louise Benkelman, Alexis Carpenter, Kelsye Chevalier, Lauren Flamia, Heather Larsen, Erica Misilo, Claudia Rightmire, and Alexandra Townsend. Robson is currently a member of Bill T. Jones/ Arnie Zane Company.

See more of our performances here

Hear from Hawks

The Modern Dancer in NYC

Christina Robson, RWU Class of 2009

Dance and Performance Studies Major

Christina Robson graduated as a dance/performance major and visual arts minor in 2009. Now, she's a professional dancer in New York City currently working with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company.

Read full story

Dance and Performance Studies Frequently Asked Questions

Is being a Dance/Performance Studies Major impractical?

No, being a Dance/Performance Studies major is not impractical!

The skills and degree acquired by our Dance/Performance Studies majors offer many opportunities in the work force both in and out of the field. In terms of paid positions for performers and choreographers, there can be no doubt that dance is a highly competitive field. For each position in a major Ballet or Modern dance company, there are hundreds of dancers auditioning. We feel our program prepares students well for these highly competitive positions. However, other opportunities for majors are both plentiful and varied.

What can I do with a Dance/Performance Studies Major besides Dancing, Performing and Choreographing professionally?

Dance Education: Private Studio, Public Schools, and University Instruction

There are successful studios, classes, and programs in thousands of locations throughout the country. A degree from our program offers a studio instructor significant credibility and increased chances in attracting and keeping students. Additionally, more and more public and private school systems are mandating Dance Education as part of their curriculum noting the extraordinary benefits for their students. Our majors may elect to acquire the PK-12 Dance Teacher Certification.

Health and Fitness Therapy

Health and fitness is a multi-billion dollar a year industry. Opportunities exist for fitness instructors, supervisors, and teachers in a variety of public and private settings. For example, our majors can function as personal trainers, a highly lucrative field. Majors can apply their knowledge, talent, and skills to any number of other businesses and positions in the health and fitness fields.

Dance/Performance Studies majors with a few additional electives can prepare for advanced degrees in Physical, Occupational, and Dance Therapy. These fields generally require advanced degrees. Many of the prerequisites for admission into these graduate programs are already fulfilled by the Dance/Performance Studies and University Core curriculum. Majoring in dance is perceived by university therapy departments as excellent preparation for entry into these graduate programs.

Arts Management, Arts Programming, Corporate Presentations, The Entertainment Industry

Dance/Performance Studies Majors are able to apply themselves to various positions in the arts community. Arts management positions require the kind of discipline, skills, and aesthetic awareness that our majors possess. These positions are available on community, civic, university and professional levels.

Retail establishments, industries, and corporations hire skilled and talented college graduates to organize and present trade shows and corporate functions.

The Entertainment industry including film, stage and television hire individuals who have knowledge of performance to work on productions in various capacities.

Opportunities in other professional fields

Dance/Performance Studies majors are successful seeking advanced degrees in major fields outside of dance including Law and Business. Acceptance into these graduate programs is not restricted to any particular undergraduate major. Individuals with degrees in Business, History, Philosophy, English or any other major have no additional advantage when seeking acceptance into these professional graduate programs. Dance/Performance Studies majors are on an equal footing. We are told by Law School Administrators that Dance/Performance Studies majors are perceived as disciplined and highly motivated individuals and are considered favorably in the selection process.

Our majors are having very successful careers in the business world of sales, advertising, and marketing. Their discipline and organization is highly desired in these areas.

There are many opportunities in the "real world" for Dance/Performance Studies majors. Though there are no History, English, Philosophy, nor Sociology "stores" in most towns, there are dance studios in almost every neighborhood. Around each one of these corners, there are many real possibilities and opportunities for the graduating Dance/Performance Studies major.

RWU Dance Alumni

Notable Alumni

Seán Curran

Seán Curran
Choreographer - Broadway, Opera, and the Seán Curran Company, NYC
"STOMP" - Original Cast NYC
Former Principal Dancer/Rehearsal Director - Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, NYC, Winner - New York Dance & Performance "Bessie" Award for Best Performer, www.SeanCurranCompany.com

Jacqui Squatriglia

Jacqui Squatriglia
Choreographer - "COYOTE UGLY", Country Music Television
Dancer/Actress/Personal Trainer, NYC

Jenny Rocha

Jenny Rocha
Dancer/Choreographer - Rocha Dance Theatre, NYC
Dancer - Sean Curran Dance Co., Heidi Latsky Dance, NYC
www.JennyRocha.com

DeAnna Pellecchia

DeAnna Pellecchia
Choreographer/Dancer - Kinodance Company, Bennett Dance, Boston, Paula Josa Jones Works, Boston/NYC
www.DeannaPellecchia.com

Brandon Glasgow

Brandon Glasgow
Principal Dancer - PHILADANCO; Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Co.

Cathy Nicoli

Cathy Nicoli
Current, Associate Professor of Dance and Performance Studies, Roger Williams University.
Former Dance Faculty at Hampshire College and the Five College Dance Department, MA
Former Dance Faculty at Keene State College, NH.
Former Co-Director, Groundwerx Dance Theatre, RI

Heather Ahern

Heather Ahern
Dance Chair, West Virginia University
Choreographer/Actor/Dancer
Former Co-Director, Groundwerx Dance Theatre, RI

Christine Poland

Christine Poland
Dancer, Managing Director, Production Assistant - Rocha Dance Theater, NYC
Dancer - Heidi Latsky, Monica Bill Barnes, Mary Fulham, Works/Laura Glenn

Keith Michael Johnson

Keith Michael Johnson
Director/Performer Movement Theatre, Educational Programs & Family Comedy Variety Shows, touring New England

Kendra Jackson

Kendra Jackson
Dancer, NYC
Dance Teacher in NYC public schools

Cristin Fagone

Cristin Fagone
Dancer, Prometheus Dance, Boston
Film - Disney’s Underdog and The Education of Charlie Banks
Power Pilates Certified Instructor
Member, Screen Actors Guild

Shevaun Smythe Hiler

Shevaun Smythe Hiler
Dancer - Rocha Dance Theater, NYC
ACE Certified Personal Trainer

Andrea Blesso

Andrea Blesso
Dancer - Snappy Dance, Bennett Dance Company, Boston
Dancer - Turnpike Project, The Moving Laboratory, Falling Flight Project, EgoArt

Tara O’Con

Tara O’Con
Dancer - Stephen Koplowitz, and others, NYC
Manager/Internship Coordinator, Dance Theatre Workshop, NYC

Danielle DiVito

Danielle DiVito
Dancer - Snappy Dance, Boston; Ellis Wood Dance, NYC

Fernando Maneca

Fernando Maneca
Choreographer/Performance Artist, NYC

Theresa Scoggins McKeon

Theresa Scoggins McKeon
Founder, Principal and Vice President, TAGteach International system
Coaches teams of nationally competitive gymnasts

Claudia-Lynn Rightmire

Claudia-Lynn Rightmire
Dancer/Choreographer – Rosie Herrera Dance Theatre, David Dorfman Dance, and INSPIRIT Dance with Christal Brown
Educator – Peridance and Gibney Dance in New York City, Connecticut College, The Sarasota Ballet in Florida, and The Space Dance in Melbourne, Australia
Co-Founder of cs movement projects

Beth Wheeler

Beth Wheeler
Founder, Principal and Vice President, TAGteach International system
Owner and Director, A Dancer’s Dream, Inc., MA

Nadia Faramarzpour
Dancer, Massage Therapist, Boston

Della Grigsby
Stress Management Business ,TX - National workshops and Seminars

Peter Bramante
Executive Director, The Arts & Business Council of Rhode Island
Former Co-Director, Groundwerx Dance Theatre, RI

Sherie Seff
Casting Director, NYC

Bridgette Suner
Dancer/Choreographer/Teacher, FL

Jen Eakin
Dancer, NYC

Jill Jackson
Dancer/Public Relations, Boston, New England

Jim L’Ecuyer
Senior Producer at the Fox News Channel
Broadway Casts of "A View From The Bridge", "Shenandoah" (revival)

Bo Crowell
Director/Choreographer/Videographer - Los Angeles

Donna Meierdiercks
Arts Management and Development, London
Former Co-Director, Groundwerx Dance Theatre/Arts Management, RI

Clark Smith
Actor - New England
Teacher, High School, MA

Frank Raziano
Teacher, NYC
Former Dancer - Eleo Pomare Dance Co., Carol Conway Dance Co., NYC

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Dance and Performance Studies

Dance, Expressive Movement Practice, and learning to know how one's body works mechanically and spiritually - as individuals, partners, and citizens of a community - is an essential human right. Movement is a gift and an inherent aspect of our identities and cultures. RWU Dance and Performance Studies welcomes all bodies to share the gift of movement and embodiment and we strive to foster a program representing all people - no matter their race, class, cognitive or physical abilities, or gender. Movement is our first form of expression and our first way of knowing. We believe it can be a bridge for communication, empathy, joy, and a deep-felt sense of peace.