The Department of Dance produces numerous concerts and special performances throughout the year, and concerts include all dance forms with choreography by faculty, students and guest artists. The dance student organization, Orchesis, also produces its own concert each fall and sponsors three or more informal noon dance showings each year. Senior BFA students present their Graduating Presentation concert each spring, drawing performers from the student body. In addition, the department frequently collaborates with the School of Music and the Department of Theatre on musicals, operas, and other special productions to further enhance the variety of performance experiences available to students. Students may also audition for the Western Dance Project, the department’s touring ensemble.
Dance professionals are regularly engaged as guest teachers and/or choreographers to broaden the student experience. A hallmark of the department is its Great Works Dance Project, a program designed to give students the opportunity to perform dances created by master choreographers.
Students also have the opportunity for hands-on experience. Area dance studios regularly employ dance students as teachers, and area schools and community groups often engage dance majors to choreograph musicals.
