Performing Arts
Chair: Professor Rubeck
Associate Chair: Associate Professor Hart
The study of performing arts can be a vital part of a liberal arts education. Creativity, collaboration, problem solving, communication skills and critical thinking are all enhanced by this study, regardless of the student’s eventual career goals.
The Department of Performing Arts offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree with a major in Acting, a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Dance Performance and Choreography, a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Music Theatre, a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) degree with a major in Theatrical Design and Production, and a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) degree with a major in Drama and Theatre Studies. Minors in Dance, Theatre Arts, or Theatrical Design and Technology are also available.
The B.F.A. degree in Acting is intended for the student who wishes to pursue a professional career in theatre. Students who complete this degree may also pursue further graduate training. The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre is geared toward the student who wishes to pursue a career in performance or graduate studies following graduation. The B.F.A. degree in Dance is intended for the student who wishes to pursue a professional performance or creative career in dance. The degree also prepares the student to pursue an M.F.A., the terminal creative degree. The A.B. degree in theatrical design and production is intended for the student who wishes to pursue a career in professional theatrical production or design. Students who complete this degree may also pursue further graduate training. The A.B. in drama and theatre studies uses the interactive and interdisciplinary dramatic art of theatre to challenge students to reveal, understand, and communicate the human condition.
Please note that an audition is required for entry to the B.F.A. Acting, the B.F.A. Dance and Choreography, and the B.F.A. Music Theatre programs. An interview/portfolio showing is required for entry to the A.B. theatrical design and production program.
The course of study within all programs emphasize a thorough grounding in fundamental areas of the theatre performance (acting, dance, design and production, and theatre history and literature.) To provide practical application of coursework, students are expected to participate actively in department productions. For those interested in a career in theatre, regular opportunities exist for contact with the professional world through master classes, guest artists and participation in regional and national conferences, conventions, auditions and competitions.
Professor Emerita: Wellford
Associate Professors: Metcalf, Sabo
Assistant Professor: Aryeh, Aumiller, McGraw
Adjuncts: Beasley, Bower, DiOrio, Hill, Medler, Meeks, Ransey, Tourek
The Department of Performing Arts offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography and a minor in Dance. The program provides students with a 21st century dance education with a focus on technical training, creative exploration, compositional skills, somatic knowledge, collaborative dance-making and multi-disciplinary performance. The dance program recognizes the importance of an individual’s interaction with the world as a whole person, not just as an artist. Dance artists and theorists are members of the global community, and as such, students are encouraged to explore wide-ranging interests and to find innovative ways to combine their in-depth dance studies with their experience as global citizens to further the field of contemporary dance. Students in the B.F.A. program have the opportunity, and are encouraged, to participate in internships and study abroad. An audition is required for the B.F.A. but not for the minor.
The B.F.A. is a 68 semester hour degree that requires intensive study in technique, composition, and theory, and is intended for the student who wishes to pursue a professional performance or creative career in dance. The degree also prepares the student to pursue an M.F.A., the terminal creative degree. Students are required to take 14 credit hours of ballet and modern technique with six credit hours of supplemental training in pointe, yoga, jazz, tap, world dance or special topics in dance. In addition, students must complete 32 semester hours in creative and theoretical courses, 12 credit hours of dance electives and four semester hours of performance. A senior project is required.
The minor in dance is designed for the general dance enthusiast. Students may not declare a minor in dance until they complete DAN 101. Students must complete 20 semester hours including introductory theory and performance followed by upper level electives.
Professor Emerita: Wellford
Associate Professors: Metcalf, Sabo
Assistant Professor: Aryeh, Aumiller, McGraw
Adjuncts: Beasley, Bower, DiOrio, Hill, Medler, Meeks, Ransey, Tourek
The Department of Performing Arts offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography and a minor in Dance. The program provides students with a 21st century dance education with a focus on technical training, creative exploration, compositional skills, somatic knowledge, collaborative dance-making and multi-disciplinary performance. The dance program recognizes the importance of an individual’s interaction with the world as a whole person, not just as an artist. Dance artists and theorists are members of the global community, and as such, students are encouraged to explore wide-ranging interests and to find innovative ways to combine their in-depth dance studies with their experience as global citizens to further the field of contemporary dance. Students in the B.F.A. program have the opportunity, and are encouraged, to participate in internships and study abroad. An audition is required for the B.F.A. but not for the minor.
The B.F.A. is a 68 semester hour degree that requires intensive study in technique, composition, and theory, and is intended for the student who wishes to pursue a professional performance or creative career in dance. The degree also prepares the student to pursue an M.F.A., the terminal creative degree. Students are required to take 14 credit hours of ballet and modern technique with six credit hours of supplemental training in pointe, yoga, jazz, tap, world dance or special topics in dance. In addition, students must complete 32 semester hours in creative and theoretical courses, 12 credit hours of dance electives and four semester hours of performance. A senior project is required.
The minor in dance is designed for the general dance enthusiast. Students may not declare a minor in dance until they complete DAN 101. Students must complete 20 semester hours including introductory theory and performance followed by upper level electives.