Dance
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CHRISTOPHER VANEMAN, dean
Mission Statement
The School of the Arts at Converse College inspires, teaches, and trains artists by fostering communication, creativity and scholarship, and nurtures appreciation for the visual and performing arts.
Core Values
The School of the Arts (SOA) at Converse College values and believes in the Arts as a path to: Passion, Inspiration, Imagination, Discovery, Expression, Transformation, and Joy.
Arts Foundations: Creativity that Works
The faculty in Art and Design, Theatre and Dance, and the Petrie School of Music train students to be working professionals in the arts. All students in the School of the Arts will take the following interdisciplinary courses in collaboration, personal brand development, and professionalization:
Department of Theatre & Dance
- MEG HANNA-TOMINAGA, chair
- JENNA ELSER
- CHANDRA OWENBY HOPKINS
- MELISSA OWENS
- ALLISON ROUX
The Department of Theatre & Dance provides opportunities which enable students to develop their skills and talents in theatre arts and dance to foster a better understanding of the contribution that live performance makes to the process of educating the whole person in a liberal arts environment. Through the availability of experiences in a number of areas, students will find a wide variety of challenges and means of expression. The program of study places emphasis on the aesthetic and practical decisions inherent to these areas, thereby strengthening the student’s general intellectual capabilities and growth as an artist.
By the time of graduation, majors in theatre should demonstrate basic competencies in each area of theatre and should be able to compete successfully for positions in graduate school and in the professional job market.
The General Education Program is a requirement for all degrees. The requirements listed below are approved for the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Fine Arts.
ENG 101 | 3 hours |
Language and Culture | 9 hours |
MTH 108 or higher | 3 hours |
One course designated as Quantitative reasoning | 3–4 hours |
Health and Well-being Wellness | 2 hours |
Activity course | 1–2 hours |
Humanities | 6 hours |
Literature | 3 hours |
Fine Arts | 6 hours |
Natural Science | 7–8 hours |
Social Science | 6 hours |
Total | 49–52 hours |
Graduation requirements but not a separate course:
- First Year Seminar
- Writing Intensive course
- Non-European/non-Anglophone course
- Capstone experience
- For more information see GEP requirements in this catalog.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to articulate verbal and written mastery of knowledge in theatre and dance.
- Students will be able to analyze the art of theatre and dance in historical and theoretical contexts.
- Students will be able to communicate successfully and work effectively with others in a variety of production capacities.
- Students will be able to produce engaging and innovative works in theatre and dance.
In order to earn a minor or a major in theatre or musical theatre, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 across all of their theatre or musical theatre courses. Minor and major GPAs are based on the grades earned in all theatre (and major required dance and music for the Musical Theatre degree or dance for Dance minors) classes taken at Converse. Transfer credits from other institutions do not figure into the required calculation for minor or major GPAs.
Dance
Dance courses may be taken as electives by anyone interested in dance, or students may choose to minor in dance. Introductory technique courses provide the opportunity for students to improve their technique in specific course genres, enhance their visual skills, spatial awareness, rhythm and creativity. In intermediate courses, students continue to build on these skills, and begin to focus on techniques necessary for the particular genre being studied. In advanced level courses, students gain an extension of an understanding and exploration of a genre. Students will gain experience through improvisation, compositional studies and different styles within the genre. DAN 190: History of Dance is available to students as an option in the fine arts requirement in the General Education Program. Technique courses may be taken as partial fulfillment of the physical education requirement of the General Education Program.
Degrees and Certificates
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Dance Major (BA), Bachelor of Arts, BA -
Musical Theatre Major, Bachelor of Arts, BA -
Theatre Major, Bachelor of Arts, BA -
Dance Minor, Minor -
Theatre Minor, Minor
Courses
DAN 100: INTRODUCTION TO DANCE
This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of dance technique, performance, history, and critical theory. Students will study significant dance forms, major contributors, concepts, terminologies, and fundamental skills in the discipline of dance. (major, minor, GEP)
Major, Minor, , GEP Health and Wellness.
DAN 105: DANCE ENSEMBLE TOUR
DAN 106: COMPOSITION I
The student will learn to develop movement with reference to the components involved in function, expression and communication through movement.
GEP, Minor, Elective credit.
DAN 110: CONTEMPORARY DANCE I
This course will introduce the beginner to the fundamentals of modern contemporary dance technique through locomotor and axial work in the center and on the floor.
Health & Wellness
DAN 111: BALLET I
This course will introduce the beginner to the fundamentals of ballet technique through barre exercises and center work.
GEP, Minor, Elective credit.
DAN 113: TAP DANCE I
This course will introduce the beginner to the fundamentals of tap technique through various exercises and center work.
GEP, Minor, Elective Credit
DAN 114: JAZZ DANCE I
This course will introduce the beginner to the fundamentals of jazz technique through various exercises and center work.
GEP, Minor, Elective Credit
DAN 121: DANCE ENSEMBLE
DAN 190: DANCE: PAST AND PRESENT
A study of the significant development of dance, giving consideration to the functions of dance as art, ritual, social activity, spectacle, and entertainment; and to the relationship of dance to other art forms. (major, minor, GEP, CCW)
GEP, MAJOR, MINOR, CCW
DAN 206: COMPOSITION II
DAN 106 or permission of instructor.
DAN 210: CONTEMPORARY DANCE II
A continuation of DAN 110, studying more complex movement combinations and patterns.
DAN 110 or permission of instructor.
GEP, Minor, Elective credit.
DAN 211: BALLET II
A continuation of DAN 111 giving more complex movement combinations and patterns.
DAN 111 or permission of instructor.
GEP, Minor, Elective credit.
DAN 213: TAP DANCE II
A continuation of DAN 113. Students will gain an extension of tap technique through barre exercises and center work; as well as working to improve their skill level and to increase endurance and stamina.
DAN 113 or permission of instructor.
GEP, Minor, Elective credit.
DAN 214: JAZZ DANCE II
A continuation of DAN 114 with more complex movements and patterns.
DAN 114 or permission of instructor.
GEP, Minor, Elective credit.
DAN 221: DANCE ENSEMBLE
DAN 230: DANCE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE I
DAN 231: DANCE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE II
DAN 240: DANCE REPERTORY
A practical study of the fundamental concepts of dance performance, focusing on professional rehearsal etiquette, working as an ensemble, contributing to the creative process, and learning established choreography. Emphasis is placed on collaborative choreographic processes and accumulating movement material. Students will be provided an opportunity to perform the work in a production or event at the end of the course. May be taken more than once for credit.
DAN 299H: INTERDISCIPLINARY HONORS COURSE
DAN 303: SPECIAL TOPICS IN DANCE PERFORMANCE
An in-depth study of one specific area of dance performance. Offering based on available staff/student interest. Because course content will vary, it may be taken more than once for credit.
Permission of the Instructor.
GEP credit.
DAN 306: COMPOSITION III
DAN 106, DAN 206 or permission of instructor.
DAN 310: CONTEMPORARY DANCE III
A continuation of DAN 210, with more complex movements, combinations, patterns and phrases.
DAN 110, DAN 210, or permission of instructor.
GEP, Minor, Elective credit.
DAN 311: BALLET III
A continuation of DAN 211 with long and more complex movement patterns, combinations and phrases.
DAN 111, 211 or permission of instructor.
GEP, Minor, Elective credit.
DAN 313: TAP DANCE III
A continuation of DAN 213 with long and more complex movement patterns, combinations, phrases and steps.
DAN 113, 213 or permission of instructor.
GEP, Minor, Elective credit.
DAN 314: JAZZ DANCE III
A continuation of DAN 214. The student will gain an extension of understanding and exploration of jazz dance. Students will experience improvisations, compositional studies, and different style of jazz dance.
DAN 114, 214 or permission of instructor.
GEP, Minor, Elective credit.
DAN 321: DANCE ENSEMBLE
DAN 340: THE BODY IN MOTION
This course will provide students with an understanding of their anatomical selves through a functional movement practice. Practices may include explorations in dance science, somatic practices, injury prevention, and nutritional care. Students will be better equipped to handle the physical and mental stress and anxiety that accompanies a career in performing arts, specifically dance performance and choreography.
DAN 421: DANCE ENSEMBLE
DAN 430: SENIOR PROJECT
DAN 106.
DAN 499: SENIOR CAPSTONE PROJECT
This course serves as a capstone course in the B.A. Dance curriculum. Student choreographers work with faculty to develop choreography that demonstrates an evolving understanding of choreographic craft, and that reflects their personal choreographic interests. Students will collaborate with their cohort on production elements and timelines, collectively creating a final performance that is fully produced and supported by the
Department of Theatre & Dance. This capstone is meant to culminate four years of study and to prepare students for real-world experience or continued study at the graduate level.
THR 132: SEWING FOR THE STAGE
This course is designed as a varied study including but not limited to: costume construction sewing skills (hand, machine, and serger); fabric content and characteristics; costume crafts (mask-making, millinery, accessories); costume production script and design analysis; and costume upkeep (hanging, ironing, cleaning, restocking). Particular emphasis will be placed on the production process of Theatre & Dance Converse’s mainstage productions, and creating multiple costumes for use in those productions.
Major, Minor, Elective