Chair, Department of Dance: Mary
Rotella, B.F.A.
Dance Faculty:
Susan Roebuck, M.F.A.
Nancy Roberts, B.F.A.
Visiting guest artists
The Department of Dance
offers the bachelor of fine arts in dance, a performance degree that
qualified students can earn in three years and two summers.
Dance
at Stephens College combines professional training, discipline and
creative expression within a liberal arts environment. Steeped in
tradition, the department is known for developing a well rounded dancer
who can explore many job possibilities in the professional world. The
students are encouraged to achieve their greatest potential through high
expectations, gentle guidance, and excellent training.
Our
outstanding professional faculty provide training in modern dance,
classical ballet and theatre jazz. Guest artists broaden the dancer's
technical foundation with study in world dance forms such as Flamenco,
East Indian, African, tap and jazz. Pointe work and partnering are also
offered to complement ballet and modern training. Students develop
self-expression as they explore improvisation and learn the basics of
choreography.
Students are also introduced to other aspects of dance as a
performing art form through such courses as lighting for dance, music for
dance, and dance history. Advanced choreography classes in which actual works are
created culminate with studio showcases. The Student New Works Concert and
the Senior Capstone Concert are fully produced in the Warehouse Theatre
and offer the students a venue to present their choreographic expression
to the public. As a dance major, the student becomes a member
of Stephens College Repertory Dance Theatre. It is a faculty-directed
company that performs works created by the faculty and guest artists. The
company performs fully produced concerts in the Macklanburg Playhouse.
Other performing opportunities include lecture demonstrations, children's
concerts, community arts festivals, American College Dance Festival
performances, and two musicals a year produced by the Theatre
department.
Stephens Summer Dance is an intensive six weeks of
study divided into two parts: The Workshop and The Technique. During The
Workshop, students explore the creative process of musical theatre, modern
and ballet with internationally renowned, innovative choreographers. The
Technique is a conservatory approach offering two technique classes daily
taught by our faculty and guest artists. A concert of all choreographic
works created during this intensive study is performed at the close of
Stephens Summer Dance.
Dance degree candidates are evaluated each
semester to encourage their artistic and technical development. A career
in the performing arts is a challenging choice and this is a very
professional program which demands a strong work ethic, discipline, and high level of
proficiency. Those students who fail to display these necessary
attributes could be asked to leave the program.
Dance graduates
have found careers performing in concert companies, and on Broadway. They
have become teachers, choreographers and directors. Many continue the
study of dance in professional or graduate schools.
Requirements for the B.F.A. Major in Dance
The bachelor of fine arts major in dance
requires completion of liberal arts requirements including 2.0
required liberal arts courses as specified and 24.5 courses in the major.
This must include two summers of Stephens Summer Dance and 12.0 courses of
technique credit, regardless of original placement, with a minimum of 4.0
credits at the Tech III level. Program responsibilities include ushering,
backstage work and strikes for all dance
concerts.
NOTE: In the following course listings,(1c) = 1.0 course credit = 1.0 course.
Required Courses
BIO 301: Structural Kinesiology (1c)
DAN 111: World Dance (.5c)
DAN 112: Freshman Technique (1.5c)
DAN 113: Dance Techniques I (2c)
DAN 170: Choreography I (1c)
DAN 220: Improvisation (.5c)
DAN 231: Dance Techniques II (2c)
DAN 233: Dance Techniques II (2c)
DAN 351: Dance Techniques III (2c)
DAN 353: Dance Techniques III (2c)
DAN 360: Choreography II: Solo (.5c)
DAN 360: Choreography II: Group (.5c)
DAN 460: Senior Seminar (.5c)
DAN 465: Senior Project (.5c)
MUS 105: Fundamentals of Music (1c) or
MUS 110: Music Theory I (1c)
Electives
Choose 2.5 courses from the following:
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DAN 280: Topics:
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Pointe and Partnering (.5c)
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Repertoire (.5c)
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Theatre Dance (.5c)
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World Dance (.5c)
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Performance Techniques (.5c)
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DAN 380: Topics:
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Choreography II (.5c)
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Pedogogy (.5)
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Pointe and Partnering (.5c)
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Repertoire (.5c)
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Theatre Dance (.5c)
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Required Liberal Arts Courses
DAN 324C: History of Dance (1c)
THA 122F: Acting I
(1c)
Required Summer Courses
(On-campus housing required)
First Year:
DAN 225: Dance Techniques Workshop I (1c)
DAN 238: Lighting and Production (.5c)
DAN 267: Dance Performance Workshop I (1c)
Second Year:
DAN 137: Music for Dance (.5c)
DAN 325: Dance Techniques Workshop II (1c)
DAN 367: Dance Performance Workshop II (1c)
Dance Courses
DAN 101F: Introduction to Modern Dance
(1.0
course)
(Open to all students)
A class of modern techniques for the
non-major. Recommended for students who have some previous dance training.
Especially beneficial for students majoring in other performing
arts.
DAN 103: Beginning Ballet Techniques
(.5 course)
(Open to all students, may be repeated for credit)
Introduction to ballet for the non-major. Recommended for other performing arts majors to become conversant with the fundamentals of dance and dance vocabulary.
DAN 104: Beginning Modern Techniques
(.5 course)
(Open to all students, may be repeated for credit)
A class of modern dance techniques for the non-major student. Recommended for
students with some previous dance training and for students interested in
becoming a dance major. Especially beneficial for students majoring in
other performing arts.
DAN 105: Beginning World Dance Techniques
(.25 course)
(Open to all students, may be repeated
for credit)
World dance techniques for the student who is interested in
multi-cultural understanding through dance. Techniques offered have
included: jazz and tap, African and Caribbean, Haitian, East Indian,
Spanish/flamenco, Russian and Irish.
DAN 111: Dance Techniques
I
(.5 course)
(Prerequisites: audition or permission of
instructor)
Course emphasizes techniques as well as flexibility and
strength, coordination and control. Includes classes in Ballet, Modern and
World Dance. (See DAN 105 for world dance techniques that have been taught
previously.)
DAN 112: Freshman Techniques
(1.5
courses)
(Freshman dance majors only)
This course is designed to
introduce the freshman dance major to the philosophies of the Department
of Dance. The core technique course will provide instruction and training
in Ballet, Modern and Jazz dance.
DAN 113: Dance Techniques
I
(2.0 courses)
(Prerequisite: DAN 112 or permission of
instructor.)
A continuation of DAN 111.
DAN 137: Music for
Dance
(.5 course)
Summer only)
Study of the relationship of
music to dance, basic rhythmic form and analysis of the elements of music
and techniques of accompanying dance.
DAN 170: Choreography
I
(1.0 course)
(Open to students with dance training)
Study
of the organization of movement and the relationship of different elements
of dance composition.
DAN 220: Improvisation
(.5
course)
(Prerequisite: DAN 112 or permission of
instructor)
Exploration of movement expression through a variety of
approaches experienced and performed spontaneously to broaden movement
range individually and in groups. Students also learn the role of
improvisation leading to choreography.
DAN 225: Dance Techniques
Workshop I
(1.0 course)
(Summer only)
(Prerequisite: audition
or permission of instructor)
Daily classes: modern, ballet and
jazz.
DAN 231: Dance Techniques II
(2.0
courses)
(Prerequisite: DAN 113 or permission of
instructor)
Continuation of DAN 113 involving the development of
space-time coordination in more complex dance phrases.
DAN 233:
Dance Techniques II
(2.0 courses)
(Prerequisite: DAN 231 or
permission of instructor)
Continuation of DAN 231.
DAN 238:
Lighting and Production
(.5 course)
(Summer only)
Introduction to the theory and practice of stage lighting. The
course also introduces the student to all the aspects of a stage
production from the backstage perspective.
DAN 267: Dance
Performance Workshop I
(1.0 course)
(Summer only)
A studio
course in modern, ballet and musical theatre dance techniques; repertory
and participation in creating new works to understand the craft of
choreography; the inclusion of performance skills and rehearsals leading
to a concert performance.
DAN 280: Topics in Dance
(.5
course)
Topics courses are devoted to special subjects that may not be
covered in depth in other courses such as Repertoire and Performance
Techniques.
DAN 324C: History of Dance
(1.0
course)
(Prerequisite: junior or senior standing)
Study of the
development of dance, including dance forms, major choreographers and
major dancers. Cultivation of cultural historical perspective. Writing
Intensive.
DAN 325: Dance Techniques Workshop II
(1.0 course)
(Summer only)
(Prerequisites: audition and permission of
instructor)
A continuation of DAN 225.
DAN 351: Dance
Techniques III
(2.0 courses)
(Prerequisite: DAN 233 or permission
of instructor)
Continuation of DAN 233, with emphasis on the development
of individual style. Students are expected to be able to learn more
complex phrases quickly.
DAN 353: Dance Techniques
III
(2.0 courses)
(Prerequisite: DAN 351 or permission of
instructor)
A continuation of DAN 351.
DAN 360: Choreography II
(.5 course each)
(To be taken two times)
(Prerequisite: DAN 220 or permission of instructor)
Students create two dances that are
thematically developed, using prior knowledge of phrasing and the elements
of design, rhythm, dynamics and motivation. Dances must include a solo and
a group.
DAN 365: Internship
(0-1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: permission of dance faculty)
A dance internship experience in various aspects of dance to be planned by the cooperating company/organization, dance faculty and student. Experiences such as assisting choreographers, production management, and outside performing opportunities are possible.
DAN 367: Dance Performance Workshop II
(1.0 course)
(Summer only)
A continuation of DAN 267.
DAN 370:
Practicum
(.25-1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: permission of faculty
sponsor and program chair.)
Recommended for dance majors who are
interested in teaching or other dance related applications.
DAN 380: Topics in Dance
(.5 course)
(Prerequisite: permission of
instructor)
These courses include advanced Pointe and Partnering,
Pedagogy, Repertoire, and Theatre Dance.
DAN 460: Senior
Seminar
(.5 course)
(Prerequisite: DAN 360, senior standing or
permission of instructor)
A synoptic course that synthesizes the
senior's knowledge and experiences in dance, related arts and the liberal
arts. Components include (1) a solo for professional auditions, (2)
professional portfolio (resume, photo, video documentation of choreography
and performances) and (3) practical applications and discussions regarding
career options, unions, contracts, auditions, networking, etc. with
professional dancers, choreographers, artistic directors and other
professionals.
DAN 465: Senior Project
(.5 course)
(Prerequisite: DAN 460, senior standing or permission of
instructor)
The continuation of DAN 460 Senior Seminar. Students
culminate their choreographic and performance experience in the major to
create their capstone choreographic work for performance in the Senior
Showcase production in the Warehouse Theatre. In addition to the creative
aspect, which is the main focus of the course, students will be required
to plan and produce the concert which involves everything from
advertising, ticket sales and hanging lights to working with lighting
designers.
DAN 471: Dance Techniques IV
(2.0 courses)
(Prerequisite: DAN 353 or permission of
instructor)
Advanced studies in modern, ballet and world dance
techniques.
DAN 473: Dance Techniques IV
(2.0 courses)
(Prerequisite: DAN 471 or permission of
instructor)
Continuation of DAN 471.
Independent Study
Independent studies
(special studies, tutorials, readings, projects) may be proposed by
students who wish to investigate a subject not otherwise available.
Information about independent study may be obtained in the department
office or in the Office of the
Registrar.
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