Minor in Dance

This course is for Theatre majors, minors, and Dance minors, preparing students as early-career performing arts professionals to confidently navigate the unpredictable availability of industry opportunities and the uncertainties of the post-graduation transition period. Topics covered by the instructor, with a rotation of guest lecturers representing the industry at local and national levels, will include: audition/interview etiquette and procedures, personal presentation and self-promotion, networking, resume and portfolio website development, organizational business models and structures, contract basics, motivational strategies during challenging periods, and the Deaf performing arts ecosystem. Important: ideally, Theatre majors should complete this course prior to their first internship.

The study of the history of dance from antiquity to the 21st century. Emphasis will be placed on the relationships and influences of dance on civilizations and cultures. Students are expected to participate in both dance activities as well as in lectures and discussions.

Choreography is an introduction to techniques of choreography. This course will introduce students to both the exploration of the choreographic process and the basic tools used in choreography. Through creative improvisational exercises, students explore the fundamentals of movement including time, space, and energy and basic choreographic structure and forms. Students will be required to choreograph a major dance piece to be auditioned in the spring dance production.

Students will be introduced to the creative processes and tools of acting through the continuous application of rehearsal strategies incorporating exercises designed to strengthen basic skillsets in observation, sense and emotion memory, concentration, improvisation, and scene study, with individual and group work involving monologues and scenes. This course will culminate in a student performance showcase at the end of the semester.

A course designed for students to develop and apply a working knowledge of the organizational skills necessary to plan and produce a dance concert including: lighting, costuming, programming, audio, stage management, choreographing, marketing, fundraising, audition and performance skills. Additionally, students will develop the ability to define and describe, through visual and written modalities, the various areas of production and how they relate to the performer, the choreographer, and the overall visual aesthetics of a performance.

A study of gestures as a form of communication and as a basis for visual language. Concentration on the ability to think in pictures and to develop expressive and receptive communication skills in gestures. This course develops artistic sign language translation skills and leads to better understanding of the basic structures of American Sign Language.

The popularity of film, memes and viral videos, and streaming shows in this day and age overshadow the fact that theatre was among the earliest forms of popular entertainment and social media. As an enduring art rich in varying social contexts, theatre has always sought to engage, represent, and spotlight intersectional spectrums of communities and identities, and this course introduces students to the practice and power of theatre from page to stage. All areas of theatre and production will be explored, complemented by 1) a set of required lab hours outside class and 2) viewings of live performances and past performances via archival video links. Successful completion of this course is a requirement for declaring one's major/minor in Theatre Arts.

This introductory course familiarizes students with theories of body movement and trains students in the use of physical space, rhythm, and balance for the purpose of creating mood and character through body movement within a theatrical context.

This experimental studio course introduces students to the principles, processes, and techniques—such as Commedia dell’Arte, clowning, Lecoq, Viewpoints, among others—guiding the creation of physical and visual theatre intended to challenge and confront the traditionally text-oriented nature of performance, while exploring the relationship between body and language.  This course will conclude with a performance of original works devised by students at the end of the semester.

This course serves as a basic introduction to stage combat as a craft with direct applications to theatre and film: students will learn the fundamentals of unarmed combat, such as falls, rolls, throws and flips, various punches, kicks, and blocks. Training emphasis is placed on actor safety, script analysis and interpretation, and choreographing and performing various sequences of violence as specified in various scripts.  At the end of the semester, this course culminates in a public showcase performance of staged fight sequences devised and choreographed by students, who will then undergo a Skills Proficiency Test  (SPT) given and adjudicated by a Fight Master recognized by the Society of American Fight Directors  (SAFD).  For Theatre Arts majors and minors, and open to non-majors.  

This course trains the actor to create the illusion of physical violence involving hand-held weapons. The focus is on safe technique, the physical discipline of impulse response, and moment-to-moment playing and reaction.  Proper usage of weapons recognized by the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) ----Smallsword, Single-sword, Broadsword, Knife, Quarterstaff, Rapier & Dagger and/or Sword & Shield) will be studied and practiced.  At the end of the semester, this course culminates in a public showcase performance of staged weapon-specific fights devised and choreographed by students, who will then undergo a Skills Proficiency Test (SPT) given and adjudicated by a Fight Master recognized by the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD).  For Theatre Arts majors and minors, and open to non-majors.  

A course designed to provide the student with a theoretical and practical knowledge of dance therapy. Through this course, students will increase their awareness and understanding of the practical applications of using dance as a means of psychological, emotional, and cultural expression. Readings, discussions, and creative-based activities will be incorporated in the course to foster critical thinking skills.

This course investigates the religious context in which variety of sacred dances occur throughout the world and explores the significant political, cultural, and historical events that shaped the dance rituals and their related religious traditions. Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to demonstrate the basic knowledge of liturgical dances; gain a cross-cultural understanding of common elements of liturgical dances; and have the opportunity to perform some liturgical dances. Through discussions, hands on experiences, and observations, students will finish the course having a better understanding of the role of dance within various major global religions and as sacred celebrations within different cultures.

A practical field experience for senior dance minors. Students will have the opportunity to observe and participate in real-life work experiences in the dance company. These observations and experiences will have to be recorded in an on-going journal for a minimum of 40 hours of practical field work.

This course adopts a diverse and flexible approach to subject matter as a means to offer students opportunities to pursue specialized areas of performing arts production, research, and/or scholarship. Students may enroll in 495 Special Topics multiple times, provided that the topics differ. Open to non-majors.

Activities offered include dance and fundamental movement. Not more than six hours of credit in dance activities may be counted toward the requirements for a bachelor's degree.

Activities offered focus on physical activity and/or fitness activities. Not more than six hours of credit in physical education activities may be counted toward the requirements for a bachelor's degree.