The Stephens College Dance Department trains the well-rounded dancer - skilled in ballet, modern, jazz, and world dance forms and proficient as a choreographer and creative artist – who is ready to successfully meet the challenges of today’s professional world of dance.

QUICK FACTS

• Study at one of the first colleges in the nation to offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance
  
• Participate in the intensive six-week Stephens Summer Dance Institute in a conservatory atmosphere designed to represent a professional environment.  The Institute concludes with a fully produced concert performance in the spacious Macklanburg Playhouse.
• Train in the Harriette Ann Gray Dance Studios, designed specifically for dance and boasting walls of windows and mirrors, sprung floors and dressing rooms. The spacious LLPE studios (including a newly remodeled studio) provide students and faculty with ample opportunity for rehearsals and individual time for movement exploration.
  
• Perform in a realistic, professional environment with male apprentice students in dance and theatre who are selected each year to attend the College’s School of Performing Arts

B.F.A. IN DANCE
Our three year, two summer BFA in Dance program trains you professionally in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, musical theatre, and world dance forms like Flamenco, African, East Indian, and Russian.  Hone your choreographic skills with our three semester choreography sequence, and broaden your dance experience with courses like music for dance, lighting for dance, functional anatomy, dance history, and teaching practicum.  Special Topics courses bring classes in Pilates, repertory, partnering, and acting for dancers. Entrance to the BFA program is by audition only.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
The Stephens Dance and Theatre departments share the Macklanburg Playhouse and the student-run Warehouse Theatre for a minimum of four fully produced performances each year. You may perform in the Stephens College Dance Company, a formal performance group that presents the work of resident faculty and guest artists, and the Dimensions Repertory Dance Company, a select group of dancers chosen to represent Stephens in community performances and special events.

In addition, Dance Collaborations, the student dance organization, takes to the Warehouse Theatre stage each spring for the annual New Works dance concert. As a culminating experience, you will dance in the Senior Showcase, produced each fall by senior dance majors. Other performance opportunities include the American College Dance Festival and the Mid-America Dance Network Conference.

GUEST ARTISTS
Each year, Stephens brings guest artists to campus to enhance the experience of dance students through classes and choreography. Visiting modern and contemporary dance artists have included:

• Sheron Wray, artistic director of JazzXchange Music and Dance Company
• Shapiro and Smith
• Judith Jameson of the Alvin Ailey Company
• Jude Woodcock, formerly with Pilobolus
• Raphaël Boumaïla of the Limón Company
• Seán Curran, formerly with Bill T. Jones and Stomp
• Ballet artist Tom Titone, formerly with ABT
•Catherine Kingsley, who performed with the Royal Ballet and Stuttgart Ballet
• Internationally known ballet master Michael Simms
• Broadway performers and choreographers such as: Tony Stevens, Karin Baker, Bonnie Walker and Bick Goss

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