Dance and Performance Studies
Discover the full breadth of professional dance through Dance and Performance Studies at RWU, where you’ll study technique and theory, collaborate with choreographers and work internationally during our semester-long Dancing in London Program. Our faculty -- all working professionals in the field -- give individual attention and guidance to broaden your career options beyond performance and choreography with additional coursework in fields such as education, therapy, management, media studies, and more!
This major is coordinated by the Dance and Performance Studies program.
A Bachelor of Arts degree is offered in Dance and Performance Studies, which develops highly trained, creatively active and professionally oriented students with its unique curriculum. It stresses the development of strong technical and creative work from each student, as they hone skills that will allow them to distinguish themselves professionally. Students are offered professional-level experiences through multiple guest artist residences, study abroad, and participation in the American College Dance Festival.
Students can combine their Dance and Performance Studies major with other programs easily. We will guide you towards partnering the major with another major/minor for a broad range of career options.
Degree Requirements
Dance/Performance, B.A.
The Dance and Performance Studies Program develops highly trained, creatively active and professionally oriented students with its unique curriculum. A Bachelor of Arts degree is offered in Dance/Performance. The program allows for individual attention from the faculty, all working professionals in the field.
Courses are offered in technique (Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Mime, Movement Theatre, Ethnic and Social forms), choreography, history, pedagogy, movement analysis, kinesiology, performance techniques, and other special topic courses to keep students on the forefront of emerging topics of the field. The dance faculty guides students towards partnering the Dance major with another major/minor for a broad range of career options in addition to performance and choreography; examples include Dance/Psychology towards Dance and Movement Therapy, Dance/Secondary Ed for a Teaching Certification, Dance/Biology for Occupational or Physical Therapy, Dance/PR for work in the Communication field and Dance/Arts Management for non-profit or studio management. Our department offers live accompaniment for each technique class and gives opportunities for students to collaborate with our staff composer, facilitating crucial skills for work in professional dance fields. Students broaden their backgrounds in the related arts, foster perceptive appreciation and develop artistic discrimination. An audition is required for acceptance into the program.
An important option for Dance and Performance Studies majors is the semester-long Dancing in London Program. Students may spend the fall semester of their junior year in London working with an international faculty of technique teachers and choreographers. Students also attend dozens of dance and theater performances presented by British and international companies.
Each semester, the department welcomes to campus notable artists for teaching and choreographic residencies and performance collaborations. Artists have included Seán Curran, Doug Elkins, Molissa Fenley, Billy Siegenfeld, Meredith Monk, Kate Weare, Neta Pulvermarcher, Tiffany Mills, Christina Robson, Jean Abreu, Jason Aryeh, Hilary Easton, Takehiro Ueyama, Jorge Crecis, TJ Lowe and K.J. Holmes.
Program Requirements
The Dance/Performance major must satisfy University Core Curriculum requirements. In addition, majors must successfully complete the 42 credits listed below and sufficient electives to total 120 credits. Majors are encouraged to apply electives toward a minor or second major. Majors are also required to participate in a technique class every day and maintain a satisfactory level of competence. Progress is evaluated by faculty each semester.
Required Courses
Foundation Courses - 9 credits
Technique Studies Courses - 15 credits
A daily technique class in Modern, Jazz, and/or Ballet (credit or audit) is required of all majors.
- DANCE 210 - Ballet I
- and
- a minimum of 12 credits in Upper Level Technique courses taken from the following:
- DANCE 211 - Ballet II
- DANCE 220 - Intermediate Contemporary Modern Technique and Improvisation I
- DANCE 221 - Intermediate Contemporary Modern Technique and Improvisation II
- DANCE 301 - Intermediate Contemporary Modern Technique and Improvisation III
- DANCE 302 - Intermediate Contemporary Modern Technique and Improvisation IV
- DANCE 320 - Advanced Technique and Improvisation I
- DANCE 321 - Advanced Technique and Improvisation II
- DANCE 401 - Advanced Technique and Improvisation III
- DANCE 402 - Advanced Technique and Improvisation IV
Theory and Performance Studies Courses - 18 credits
Choose 6 out of the following 8 courses:
Dance/Performance Minor
Program Requirements
Required Courses
- DANCE 101 - The Creative Athlete
- Four Dance Technique Classes or a total of twelve credits in Dance Technique. (Placement made through consultation with a member of the dance faculty.)
One of the Following:
Student Learning Outcomes
At RWU, students earn their Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Performance Studies by engaging in the steady practice of movement research, development, performance, and analyses. Students who complete the major will be able to:
- Increase proficiency in anatomical efficiency, effort dynamics, and overall technical development.
- Heighten cognitive and embodied understanding of both the technical and cultural evolution of Classical Ballet, Modern, Post-modern, & Contemporary forms.
- Synthesize performance skills via ongoing participation in numerous, diverse, experiential creative processes and performances.
- Exercise a variety of established, experimental, and devised forms of movement composition.
- Explore and develop distinct interests and skills as artists and practitioners while situating their work within the larger contexts of history, pedagogy, culture, identity and community.
Come Move With Us
Dancing in London
Students can spend the fall semester of their junior year in London working with international technique teachers and choreographers. Students also attend dozens of dance and theater performances presented by both British and international companies. Courses build on the opportunities that London provides with frequent field trips, guest speakers, as well as weekend trips to other parts of England.
Performances
The Dance and Performance Studies program stresses the development of strong technical and creative work from each student. Nowhere is this more evident than in our performances. RWU Dance and Performance Studies students have been chosen four times to perform at the American College Dance Festival National Gala at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. And the program has continued to be recognized with invitations to perform at other regional and national galas. Students have received several scholarships and a Dance Magazine choreography nomination.
Choreographed by Christina Robson (class of 2009) in collaboration with the dancers: Louise Benkelman, Alexis Carpenter, Kelsye Chevalier, Lauren Flamia, Heather Larsen, Erica Misilo, Claudia Rightmire, and Alexandra Townsend. Robson is currently a member of Bill T. Jones/ Arnie Zane Company.
Alumni Success
The dance faculty guides students towards partnering the Dance and Performance Studies major with another major/minor for a broad range of career options in addition to performance and choreography. The skills and degree acquired by our Dance and Performance Studies majors offer many opportunities in the workforce both in and out of the field. Graduates have gone on to work as dance and movement therapists, certified dance teachers, occupational or physical therapists and in the communication, non-profit and studio management fields.
The Modern Dancer in NYC
Christina Robson, RWU Class of 2009Christina Robson graduated as a dance/performance major and visual arts minor in 2009. Now, she's a professional dancer in New York City currently working with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company.
Read full storyOur Courses
Courses are offered in technique (Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Mime, Movement Theatre, Ethnic and Social forms). Theory courses include Choreography, Dance History, Pedagogy, Movement Analysis, Kinesiology, Performance Techniques, and other Special Topic courses to keep students on
the forefront of emerging topics of the field.
Learn More
Discover the full breadth of professional dance at RWU.
See more on Dance and Performance Studies
A statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Dance, Expressive Movement Practice, and learning to know how one's body works mechanically and spiritually - as individuals, partners, and citizens of a community - is an essential human right. Movement is a gift and an inherent aspect of our identities and cultures. RWU Dance and Performance Studies welcomes all bodies to share the gift of movement and embodiment and we strive to foster a program representing all people - no matter their race, class, cognitive or physical abilities, or gender. Movement is our first form of expression and our first way of knowing. We believe it can be a bridge for communication, empathy, joy, and a deep-felt sense of peace.