Courses

    Introduces students to the dynamic capabilities of the body as an articulate means of expression. Presents basic concepts and skills from contemporary dance forms that may include Afro-modern, floor work, inversion, classical modern and improvisation. Classwork develops efficient alignment, strength, flexibility, coordination, rhythm, dynamics and spatial awareness. No experience necessary. May be repeated up to 4 credit hours.

    Introductory course designed to explore creativity, collaboration, and communication in the craft of acting. Focuses on basic terms and concepts of psychological realism fundamental to the actors' process through solo work and ensemble exercises. Open to majors and non-majors.

    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 GT-AH1. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: literature and the arts.

    Exploration of live performance from the beginning of recorded history up to 1600 through its cultural context--masked dramas, shadow puppets, passion plays, and Shakespeare. Course travels through India, Greece, Japan, Iran, Africa, Mexico, and Europe, weaving a theme of sustainability throughout. Approved for GT-AH1. 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. Credit not granted for this course and DNCE 2012. Prerequisites: Restricted to Dance (DNCE or DBFA, excludes DNCE-MIN) 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. Formerly DNCE 2013. Prerequisites: Restricted to Dance (DNCE or DBFA, excludes DNCE-MIN) 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 (including minors)

    Invites students to deepen their somatic awareness, efficient athleticism, and creative voice through the medium of contemporary dance. Continues the investigation of contemporary dance forms that may include Afro-modern, floor work, inversions, classical modern, and improvisation. Classwork will deepen students' alignment, strength, flexibility, coordination, rhythm, dynamics and spatial awareness. Prereq, DNCE 1000. May be repeated up to 2 credit hours.

    Explores how the practice of dance can reflect, disrupt, subvert, support, and reinforce cultural expectations, norms and practices. Introduces international and domestic dance traditions and provides context for an interdisciplinary examination. Comparative readings from sociology, anthropology, gender studies, history, post-colonial studies, and political science provide a foundation to understand how cultural identities are negotiated and represented through movement. 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.

    Introduces beginning students to fundamental aspects of classical ballet technique; no previous experience required. Basic principles of alignment, rotation, and movement quality are introduced as the building blocks for success in advanced material. Foundational movements and ballet vocabulary are learned and refined. Students work toward mastery of simple combinations 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.

    Relies on a demonstrated comprehension of kinesthetic and conceptual principles mastered at the beginning level. New movements from the classical ballet vocabulary are introduced with continued emphasis on alignment, rotation, and movement quality. Ballet sequences are longer and more complex. May be repeated up to 2 total credit hours. Prereq: DNCE 1100 or permission of the instructor.

    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 including improvisation, isolations, and African-influenced polyrhythms. Working within a range of dynamic performance styles, students will learn fundamental dance skills and jazz vocabulary, from which more advanced skills can be developed. Designed for students will little or no dance experience. May be repeated up to 2 total credit hours.

    Digs deeper into syncopated movement style of the jazz vernacular by continuing the embodied investigation of the Africanist influence on the form. This course demands a rigorous awareness of efficient alignment while engaging with complex movement and challenging rhythmic structures. 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.

    Introduces students to Hip-Hop dance as a culturally significant form. Students learn history, the social and political forces at work, and the fundamental techniques (Campbell Locking, Popping, Breaking etiquette/movements, Hip-Hop Party Dance and House). Intellectual challenge is offered through the lens of critical race theory and historical context. Training addresses flexibility, sequencing, coordination, and performance skills. May be repeated up to 4 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.

    Broadens students' exposure to a range of diverse movement material. Topical course in dance technique, see subtopic for specific form. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.

    Designed for new dance majors. Freshman Dance Seminar serves as an introduction to the place of dance within academia and the professional/public spheres. Through the practice of descriptive dance writing, theoretical and physical exploration of discrete pedagogical and choreographic procedures, and interactions with in-class guest artists of different disciplines, students will engage in independent research and physical experimentation, culminating in a final personal presentation and group performance. Prerequisites: Restricted to Dance (DNCE or DBFA, excludes DNCE-MIN) 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.
    Focuses on safe and effective dance practices supporting longevity and wellness. Areas explored include: experiential anatomy, conditioning, alignment, nutrition, injury prevention, care of common dance injuries, and experience with various somatic practices. Prereqs., DNCE 2021, 3041, or 4061. Prerequisites: Restricted to Dance (DNCE or DBFA, excludes DNCE-MIN) majors only.

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