Courses

Introduces basic concepts and skills of various contemporary dance forms, such as Afro-modern, Release Technique, Limon-based modern, etc. Classwork develops muscle strength, flexibility, coordination, rhythm, and dynamic and spatial awareness. Lectures focus on various aspects of dance including history, composition, anatomy and criticism. Limited amount of written work is required. May be repeated up to 4 credit hours.

Teaches the basic principles of acting for those withno previous acting experience, focusing on relaxation, concentration, improvisation, use of imagination, actions, objectives, initial monologue and scene work, and basic terms and concepts of process work for the actor.

Introduces the varieties of theatrical art, past and present, contributions of the various theatrical artists to the total production, and the place of theatre art in today's society. Designed for nonmajors. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: literature and the arts.

Examines the interaction of dramatic literature and performance in classical forms of European and Asian theatre, including Greek, Roman, Indian, Japanese, Medieval, and Renaissance European. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: literature and the arts.

Provides the dancer with an introduction to the types of performance venues available today, and their technical systems and equipment. It will also establish an awareness of how technical theatre design arts may be utilized by a choreographer. Restricted to dance majors. Credit not granted for this course and DNCE 2012. Prerequisites: Restricted to Dance (DNCE or DBFA) majors only.

An opportunity for students to develop skills of dance improvisation through the exploration of structured movement problems. Students study selected contemporary dance artists whose work stresses improvisation in performance and/or as a training vehicle. Restricted to dance majors. Formerly DNCE 2013. Prerequisites: Restricted to Dance (DNCE or DBFA) majors only.

Explores and contextualizes contemporary popular culture and dance. Introduces methods of critical analysis that reveal the rich heritage hidden within and around the dances students commonly encounter at the club, on the street, on television, on the big screen and elsewhere in everyday life. Through watching, reading, and discussion, students discover new meaning in their lived cultural experience. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: literature and the arts.

Introduces fundamental methods of text analysis for the stage, presents common vocabulary and concepts of the theatre event as an art form and how it works, and what playmaking means to those who do it. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 0-56 credits (Freshmen or Sophomore) Theatre (THTR or TBFA) majors only.

Studio course that continues the work from the beginning level on basic concepts and skills in modern dance technique to increase strength, flexibility, and coordination. May be repeated up to 2 total credit hours. Prereq., DNCE 1000.

Explores dance's relationship to broad cultural realities such as food getting, sexuality, rites of passage, work, and religion. Topics are explored by looking at several different cultural groups and how their dance functions in relation to the specific topic. (For example, dance as a function of religion could be studied through explorations into Afro-Cuban orisha dances, Bharata Natyam, and Hopi Ghost dancing.) Formerly DNCE 1029. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: literature and the arts.

Introduces basic skills of modern dance. In-class technique work increases muscle strength, flexibility, and coordination. Offered summers only at Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts Camp. May be repeated up to 2 total credit hours.

Ballet for beginners; no previous experience required. Stretching, basic barre, simple terre a terre, and jumping steps are learned, as well as alignment and basic extended positions such as arabesque and attitude. Mastery of simple enchainements and rhythmic patterns. May be repeated up to 2 total credit hours.

Introduces technical production elements and procedures, including materials, organizations, methods and equipment to realize theatrical scenery, properties, lighting and sound. Credit not granted for this course and THTR 1065 or 1075.

Introduces technical production elements and procedures including materials, organizations, methods and equipment to realize theatrical costuming and make-up. Credit not granted for this course and THTR 1065 or 1075. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 0-56 credits (Freshmen or Sophomore) only.

Extension of beginning ballet, when basic concepts of ballet have been mastered. Enchainements are of greater complication and variety. Dance vocabulary is more extensive. Pirouettes and more complex musical phrases are expected. May be repeated up to 2 total credit hours. Prereq., DNCE 1100.

Beginning ballet covering the basic vocabulary of classical ballet technique. Offered summers only at Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts Camp. May be repeated up to 2 total credit hours.

Introduces various styles of movement unique to jazz dance. Students learn fundamental technical dance skills as well as specific jazz vocabulary. Designed for students with little or no dance experience. May be repeated up to 2 total credit hours.

Further develops work begun in Beginning Jazz. Exercises and jazz dance phrases are more complex. May be repeated up to 2 total credit hours. Prereq., DNCE 1200.

Introduces jazz dance, consisting of a technique warm-up, locomotion across the floor, and a series of dance phrases developed into a short dance combination. Offered summers only at Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts Camp. May be repeated up to 2 total credit hours.

Involves creative or scholarly investigation of an area of interest to the student not addressed in the curriculum. Work must be arranged with and advised by a faculty member. Freshman level course. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Same as DNCE 2849, 3849, 4849, 5849.

Offers special courses in the technique series. Includes world dance and/or social dance forms. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.

Students learn and perform a dance choreographed by a faculty member or graduate student for an informal and/or formal presentation. May be repeated up to 3 total credit hours. Prerequisites: Restricted to Dance (DNCE or DBFA) majors only.

Emphasizes principles of acting, focusing on exercises in relaxation, talking and listening, actions and objectives, and basic concepts of process work. Prerequisites: Restricted to Thteatre (THTR, TBFA) Dance (DNCE, DBFA), Film or Arts and Sciences Open Option majors only.

Helps dancers understand the prevention and care of common injuries associated with their art. Through various somatic methods, techniques, anatomy, and kinesiology, students learn to reduce tension, improve body usage, and enhance their performance. Prereqs., DNCE 2021, 3041, or 4061. Restricted to dance majors. Prerequisites: Restricted to Dance (DNCE or DBFA) majors only.

Students learn to perceive literary form and content and to translate that perception into classroom performances of selected modern plays and stories. Performances, both solo and ensemble, embody literary texts diverse in terms of gender and ethnicity. Prereqs., 15 credit hours and THTR 1003, 2003 or 2043.