Dance & Theatre

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A tool for communication and empowerment

You will work to uncover the unique role that dance holds within our society and examine why and how it exists. Emphasis is placed on investigating aesthetics, challenging boundaries physically, mentally and creatively, and engaging in thinking and working processes that strengthen skills to meet the demands of performance and a 21st century work force. An integral component of dance education with Alverno’s abilities is through professional quality presentation of work to the larger community. Each semester students participate in a dance showcase highlighting their artistic and technical growth regardless of where they are in their movement journey. This provides students with a full immersion experience into the creative process.

With a dance focus you can expect to:

• Explore the many facets of dance education including, technical training, choreography, dance history; even topics within the arts industry and theatre if she chooses.
• Gain a deeper understanding of dance within our society, culture and its development in the 21st Century. This includes investigation of topics such as dance history, dance and technology, dance for the camera, dance and disability, dance and diversity, and social activism within dance.
• Refine your own personal movement aesthetic developing your own movement style and voice.
• Gain a deeper understanding and awareness of movement analysis. This skill set is invaluable to being present in everyday life and during interactions with others.
• Participate in original choreographed works that showcase technique and artistry.
• Create original choreographed works that focus on movement’s ability to communicate.
• Find presence and strength within your own body and work.
• Work creatively and critically through the creative process.

In early courses in the curriculum, you will study fundamental approaches to vocal production and movement coordination. In addition, you will have beginning experiences with dance, movement and acting. Concurrent with these production-related classes, you explore the ways that theatre and dance function in various cultural and historical contexts.

These experiences provide the basis for your later choice to specialize in dance, theatre or a combination of both.

Course of Study for Dance/Theatre Minor
Total Credits 16
Required to take 2 cr.

• DA/TA 115 Fundamentals of Voice & Movement 2 cr.

Required to take one class 2-4 cr. from the following:

• DA/TA 210 Improvisation: Creative Approach to Performance 2 cr.
• DA 250/MU 250/TA250 Musical Theatre: On Stage and Screen 4 cr.
• TA 265 Fundamentals of Acting On-Stage and Off 2 cr.

Required to take 2 credits of dance technique classes from the following:

• DA 130/230 Contemporary Dance I & II 2 cr.
• DA 131/231 African Dance: Origins, Practice & Aesthetics I & II 2 cr.
• DA 132/232 Ballet Technique I & II 2 cr.
• DA 134/234 Jazz Dance Technique I & II 2cr.
• DA 134/234 Introduction to Hatha Yoga 2cr.

Required take 2 credits of dance technique classes from the following:

• DA 310 Contemporary Dance In American: Movement and Meaning or TA Contemporary Theatre 2 cr.

or

• TA 310 Contemporary Theatre: Silenced Voices Heard 2 cr.
• DA 315 Dance in Cultures 2 cr.
• DA 250/MU 250/TA250 Musical Theatre: On Stage and Screen 4 cr.

Required to take 3 cr. from the following:

• DA 340 Dance Composition & Performance I 3 cr.

or

• TA 340 Introduction to Directing 3 cr.
• DA 440 Dance Composition & Performance II 3 cr.

or

• TA 440 Advanced Directing 3 cr.

Dance focus notes

• Students within the program are not required to have prior training. We actively foster an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and promotes collaboration.
• Students who wish to dive deeper into dance or are interested in interdisciplinary or mixed media/performance arts are encouraged to partner a dance support with the creative arts in practice major.

Dance courses offered

• DA/TA 115 Fundamentals of Voice & Movement 2 cr.
• DA/TA 210 Improvisation: Creative Approaches to Performance 2 cr.
• DA 310 Contemporary Dance In American: Movement and Meaning or TA Contemporary Theatre 2cr.
• DA 315 Dance in Cultures 2 cr.
• DA 340 Dance Composition & Performance I 3 cr.
• DA 440 Dance Composition & Performance II 3 cr.
• DA 130/230 Contemporary Dance Technique I & II 2 cr.
• DA 131/231 African Dance: Origins, Practice & Aesthetics I & II 2 cr.
• DA 132/232 Ballet Technique I & II 2 cr.
• DA 134/234 Jazz Dance Technique I & II 2 cr.
• DA 134/234 Introduction to Hatha Yoga 2 cr.
• DA 250/MU 250/TA250 Musical Theatre: On Stage and Screen 4 cr.
• DA 490 Seminar: Collaboration in Performance 2 cr.
• DA 495 Senior Seminar-Dance/Movement Study 1 cr.