Meadows School of the Arts
(2010 Undergraduate Catalog)
Dance
Professor Myra Woodruff,
Division Chair
Professor: Danny Buraczeski.
Associate Professors: Shelley C. Berg, Patty Harrington Delaney, Christopher Dolder, Millicent Johnnie, Leslie Peck.
Lecturer: Andrew Parker.
Production Supervisor: Deborah Barr Truitt.
Musicians: Dick Abrahamson, Jamal Mohamed, Mina Polevoy, Edward Lee Smith, Daniel J. Sullivan, Janeen Vestal.
Coordinator: Heather Guthrie.
Professors Emeritus: Robert Beard, Elizabeth A. Ferguson.
The Division of Dance offers professional dance training within the context of a comprehensive liberal arts education. The goal is to develop the disciplined, versatile dance artist through a balanced study of ballet, modern dance and jazz dance techniques, complemented and reinforced by a broad range of theoretical studies and performance opportunities. The program provides an atmosphere in which students are nurtured and stimulated in their quest for artistic achievement, technical mastery and scholarly excellence. Undergraduate majors study dance as a performing art with the intent to become practicing artists. The core of the dance curriculum is designed with this goal in mind. The combination of performance and liberal arts education courses serves to develop the articulate dancer.
The Division of Dance has four dance studios, three of which are located in the Owen Arts Center. Each studio is equipped with a sprung floor, vinyl covering, sound system, grand piano, ballet barres and mirrors. The Charles S. Sharp Performing Arts Studio doubles as a performing space and is equipped with an adjustable black traveler, a control booth, state-of-the-art sound equipment and a theatrical lighting system. Adjacent to the Sharp Studio (B100) is Studio B120. The third facility in the Owen Arts Center is Studio 1430, adjacent to the Margo Jones Theatre and the stage of the Bob Hope Theatre. A fourth studio is located in McFarlin Auditorium. Live accompaniment is provided for all studio classes.
Acceptance as a dance major or minor requires a performance audition. This is a separate process from application to the University and is the principal factor in determining an applicant’s eligibility to major or minor in dance. Campus and national auditions occur throughout the year and serve to establish a candidate’s level of competence, class placement and merit scholarship recommendation.
Applicants who audition in Dallas are observed in a ballet class, in modern dance sequences and in a jazz dance combination. Faculty representatives from the Division of Dance also conduct an annual audition tour to selected cities.
At auditions, select candidates are asked to perform a brief (90-second) improvised or prepared solo dance. Students are expected to bring to the audition a brief résumé with Social Security number, a wallet-sized photograph, applicable recorded music, and appropriate studio clothes and footwear. To confirm a campus audition, call the Dance Office at 214-768-2718. For information regarding admission procedures for the University, a national audition or financial aid, contact the Associate Dean’s Office at 214-768-3217.
Undergraduate applicants are encouraged to seek early admission to the University. Important factors in the evaluation of an applicant are the quality of the applicant’s high school academic program, the student’s record of performance, class rank and scores from the SAT or ACT exam or both. Transfer applicants are evaluated by the Office of Admission.
Admission procedures for transfer students are the same as those for first-year applicants, including the audition. With few exceptions, all new students begin work in the fall term.
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All dance majors have opportunities to perform and choreograph as an integral part of their performance studies. The Dance Performance Series includes main stage concerts in the Bob Hope Theatre, concerts in the Sharp Studio and noontime Brown Bag performances in the Owen Arts Center lobby. Other opportunities include special events, outreach programs and interdisciplinary projects within and beyond the Meadows community. Dance majors are required to participate in Dance Performance Series events as partial fulfillment of the degree program.
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B.F.A. in Dance Performance
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance performance is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance. Successful completion of this program will enhance the student’s personal growth as well as technical development in ballet, modern dance and jazz dance. The degree requires 73 credit hours in dance, of which a minimum of 38 are in studio training. The remaining 35 credit hours provide students with the opportunity to develop scholarly and creative abilities in dance and related areas of interest.
Students whose hours in the General Education Curriculum, the major requirements and the major’s supporting course requirements exceed a total of 122 will be exempt from three hours of Perspectives and an additional three hours of either Perspectives or Cultural Formations.
* Dance performance majors are required to take DANC 2160, which satisfies both a major requirement and the Wellness II requirement of the General Education Curriculum. Only one hour, however, is awarded for the course.
Regulations
The faculty expects dance majors to apply themselves scholastically and to assume responsibilities conscientiously. Students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.7 in dance courses to continue in the dance major. Grades lower than C are not acceptable in any required dance course and will necessitate a repeat enrollment. If requirements are not met, the student is placed on academic probation. To be eligible for scholarship, students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 in dance courses and be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours in dance. Full participation in the program and in division performances is expected of every student who receives a merit scholarship award. Performance studies and production activities take precedence over dance work outside of the division.
Evaluation
High standards of discipline and execution are essential for artistic growth, progress and success. Regular class attendance, attendance at auditions, classroom and theatre etiquette, punctuality and attendance at student meetings are essential. Students meet with individual faculty at midterm for a progress report and to establish individual goals. At the close of each term, each student receives a performance evaluation by the collective faculty. Various aspects of a student’s work are examined, including technical progress, capacity for and commitment to class work, personal growth and maturity, attitude, academic performance, production support, program participation, performance artistry, and weight control. When standards are not met, a student is advised that significant improvement must take place to remain in the program. Poor critiques may result in immediate dismissal from the dance major program, and/or loss of dance scholarship funding. All dance scholarships are reviewed annually. Further details on standards and requirements for the dance major are included in the Division of Dance Student Handbook.
Dance Performance Minor
The minor in dance is available to majors in all disciplines and is designed for students with previous dance training who wish to continue the pursuit of their interests within the context of their liberal arts studies. Acceptance criteria for the dance minor include audition and class placement prior to enrollment in studio classes. Students also selectively engage in the study of the creative process/performance, dance history/literature and/or theory/analysis.
The minor requires a minimum of 18 credit hours in dance as outlined below.
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Dance Courses Open to All Students. The following dance courses are open to all students from any field of study. It should be noted that not all courses are offered in any given academic year.
1301, 1302. Beginning Ballet. Introduction to the fundamentals of classical ballet. Not applicable to the dance major or minor.
1303, 1304. Beginning Modern Dance. Introduction to basic movement skills, experiences and concepts of modern dance. The course will explore the movements and ritual of the Afro-Brazilian Art of Capoeira. Not applicable to the dance major or minor.
1305, 1306. Beginning Jazz Dance. Introduction to the fundamentals of jazz dance with emphasis on rhythm and theatrical style. Not applicable to the dance major or minor.
2107. World Rhythms I. Listening, analysis and performance of African, Latin American and other rhythms. Techniques of playing percussion will be explored. Opportunities will be provided for students to accompany dancers using authentic instruments.
2108. World Rhythms II. Continued listening, analysis and performance of African, Latin American and other rhythms. Techniques of playing percussion will be explored in greater depth with more emphasis on performance. Further opportunities for students to accompany dancers using authentic instruments.
Prerequisite: DANC 2107 or instructor approval.
2301, 2302. Intermediate Ballet. Further exploration of classical ballet. Not applicable to the dance major or minor.
Prerequisite: Previous experience in the study of classical ballet.
2303, 2304. Intermediate Modern Dance. Further exploration of modern dance. Not applicable to the dance major or minor.
Prerequisite: Previous experience in the study of modern dance.
2305, 2306. Intermediate Jazz Dance. Further exploration of jazz styles. Not applicable to the dance major or minor.
Prerequisite: Previous experience in the study of jazz dance.
2345. Improvisation and Movement Studies. The development of individual movement skills through the exploration of images and elements from all of the arts, emphasizing the concepts of line, rhythm, mass and weight. Special attention will be placed on individual creative problem-solving through movement as it pertains to space, time and energy.
Prerequisite: One year of dance technique and instructor approval.
2370. Movement As Social Text. Investigation of ways in which movement and dance have meaning in different cultural, social and historical contexts. Examples of dance in a cross-cultural context, encompassing both Western and non-Western dance forms will be included. Emphasis will be placed on the nature of movement, its unique properties, the ways in which it conveys meaning, and its relationship to culture and society.
2371. Ballet Tradition. A historical perspective of classical ballet from the Renaissance to contemporary ballet. Emphasis is directed toward traditional developments, artistic changes and performance practices. Not applicable to the dance major or minor.
2372. Twentieth-Century Dance. The study of Western theatre dance from 1900 to the present. Attention is given to various contemporary forms and practices and to the history of dance for film and theatre. Not applicable to the dance major or minor.
3374. The Evolution of American Musical Theatre. This course examines the evolution of American musical theatre from its roots in minstrelsy, burlesque and vaudeville, to its adolescence in comic opera, operetta and musical comedy, to its codification as musical theatre. The first unit of the class examines the early forms of popular entertainment, the second unit looks at the development of the integration of dance, music and drama into the form known as musical theatre, and the last unit examines the figures of the 20th century who refined this integration on Broadway and in Hollywood.
4370. Dance Criticism and Aesthetics. A practical introduction to writing about dance performance. Works of master critics are examined to gain a historical perspective and to become familiar with a variety of methodologies in analyzing dance texts. Emphasis placed on observation and writing skills.
Prerequisite: DANC 2371 or 2372 and instructor approval.
Dance Courses for Dance Performance Majors. The following dance courses are restricted to dance majors unless otherwise indicated. Dance minors must obtain departmental approval to enroll in these courses. Dance minors must qualify for performance technique classes by audition.
Performance Technique
1311, 1312, 1313, 1314. Ballet I. Introduction to and development of the fundamentals of classical ballet and pointe technique. Inclusive of pointe class and men’s class.
1321, 1322, 1323, 1324. Modern Dance I. Introduction to and development of the fundamentals of contemporary dance.
1231, 1232, 1233, 1234. Jazz Dance I. Exploration of the basics of jazz dance technique and styles (classic, musical theatre and contemporary forms), including studies in basic positions, placement, isolations and jazz rhythms.
2311, 2312, 2313, 2314, 2315, 2316. Ballet II. Continuing exploration of classical ballet technique on the intermediate level with an emphasis on more complex port de bras, adagio, tourner enchaînement and allegro batterie. Inclusive of pointe class and men’s class. Admission by placement.
2321, 2322, 2323, 2324. Modern Dance II. Continuing exploration of contemporary dance technique at an intermediate level with emphasis on more complex movement phrasing, rhythmic variation and use of space. Admission by placement.
2231, 2232, 2233, 2234. Jazz Dance II. Continuing development of jazz dance technique and styles with focus on dynamics, rhythm and directional changes. Classic jazz, blues and contemporary jazz styles will be explored. Admission by placement.
Advanced Performance Technique
3311, 3312, 3313, 3314, 3315, 3316, 3317, 3318. Ballet III. Continuing development of classical ballet technique on the advanced level with an emphasis on technical proficiency, musicality and movement dynamics. Admission by placement.
3231, 3232, 3233, 3234. Jazz Dance III. Exploration of more advanced technique and styles of jazz dance, performance projection, individual style, characterizations and musical theatre themes. Focus on retaining extensive combination sequences. Admission by placement.
3321, 3322, 3323, 3324. Modern Dance III. Continuing development of contemporary dance technique at an advanced intermediate level with emphasis on refining performance quality, depth of physicality, dramatic expression and individual style. Introduction of repertory. Admission by placement.
4210. Ballet Immersive. Advanced ballet technique.
Prerequisites: Senior standing, placement in Ballet III and instructor approval.
4211. Ballet Immersive II. Advanced ballet technique.
Prerequisites: Senior standing, placement in Ballet III and instructor approval.
4219. Ballet Immersive III. Advanced ballet technique.
Prerequisites: Senior standing, placement in Ballet III and instructor approval.
4220. Modern Dance Immersive. Advanced contemporary dance technique. Prerequisites: Senior standing, placement in Modern Dance III and instructor approval.
4221, 4222, 4223, 4224. Advanced Modern Elective. Advanced contemporary dance technique, offering a transition from dance study to professional-level work with an emphasis on technical proficiency, musical phrasing, stylistic nuances and individual interpretation.
Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
4226. Modern Dance Immersive II. Advanced contemporary dance technique.
Prerequisites: Senior standing, placement in Modern Dance III and instructor approval.
4229. Modern Dance Immersive III. Advanced contemporary dance technique.
Prerequisites: Senior standing, placement in Modern Dance III and instructor approval.
4246, 4247, 4248, 4249. Advanced Jazz Elective. Thorough exploration of advanced styles and techniques and of jazz dance. Emphasis on sophisticated presentation and performance, individual stylizations, and characterizations. Strong focus on learning extended jazz choreographic sequences and repertory.
Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
Ensemble Performance
1080. Ensemble Performance I. Rehearsal and public performance of existing repertory and/or original works. By audition. Required for the B.F.A. degree in dance performance.
Prerequisites: Departmental approval and administrative enrollment.
2080. Ensemble Performance II. Rehearsal and public performance of existing repertory and/or original works. By audition. Required for the B.F.A. degree in dance performance.
Prerequisites: DANC 1080, departmental approval and administrative enrollment.
3080. Ensemble Performance III. Rehearsal and public performance of existing repertory and/or original works. By audition. Required for the B.F.A. degree in dance performance.
Prerequisites: DANC 2080, departmental approval and administrative enrollment.
4080. Ensemble Performance IV. Rehearsal and public performance of existing repertory and/or original works. By audition. Required for the B.F.A. degree in dance performance.
Prerequisites: DANC 3080, departmental approval and administrative enrollment.
4081. Ensemble Performance V. Rehearsal and public performance of existing repertory and/or original works. By audition.
Prerequisites: DANC 4080, departmental approval and administrative enrollment.
4082. Ensemble Performance VI. Rehearsal and public performance of existing repertory and/or original works. By audition.
Prerequisites: DANC 4081, departmental approval and administrative enrollment.
4083. Ensemble Performance VII. Rehearsal and public performance of existing repertory and/or original works. By audition.
Prerequisites: DANC 4082, departmental approval and administrative enrollment.
4084. Ensemble Performance VIII. Rehearsal and public performance of existing repertory and/or original works. By audition.
Prerequisites: DANC 4083, departmental approval and administrative enrollment.
Composition
2241. Dance Composition I. Introduction to the fundamental elements of dance composition, including Laban-based movement vocabulary, dynamics, motivation, gesture, spatial concepts, elementary phrasing, abstraction and motif writing. Students participate in solo and small-group studies with an emphasis on improvisation. Course includes visit to the Dallas Museum of Art. Required for the B.F.A. in dance performance.
Prerequisite: DANC 1242.
2242. Dance Composition II. Generation of solo movement through improvisation; recognizing spontaneous structures; and working with stage space, groups and inspiration from other media, including music. Required for the B.F.A. in dance performance.
Prerequisites: DANC 2241 and 2361 or instructor approval.
3243. Dance Composition III. Exploration of elements of choreographic form with emphasis on sequencing, balance, phrasing, transition, choreographic device and compositional structure. Introduction to Life FormsTM computer software for choreography. Utilization of videotape for self-analysis and critique. Opportunity for visits to the Meadows Museum for the study of form. Required for the B.F.A. in dance performance.
Prerequisite: DANC 2242.
3244. Choreo Lab. This course will focus on developing site-specific works, collaborating with musicians, service-learning projects and the development of skills necessary for successful entry into the professional arena, such as resume writing, networking and auditioning. Required for the B.F.A. in dance performance.
Prerequisite: DANC 3243.
Theoretical Studies
2370. Movement as Social Text. Investigation of ways in which movement and dance have meaning in different cultural, social and historical contexts. Examples of dance in a cross-cultural context, encompassing both Western and non-Western dance forms will be included. Emphasis will be placed on the nature of movement, its unique properties, the ways in which it conveys meaning, and its relationship to culture and society. Open to all students.
4190, 4290, 4390. Directed Studies. Supervised projects and/or research in theoretical studies, inclusive of community service projects. Arranged.
Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
4363. Kinesiology for Dance. Exploration of basic anatomy and the human body in motion. Normal and deviated skeletal structures and muscular development are assessed in regard to movement efficiency, injury potential and dance aesthetics. Required for the B.F.A. in dance performance.
4365, 4366. Ballet Pedagogy. Analysis of ballet techniques, comparing the vocabulary and methods of the Russian, Italian and French schools. Emphasis on literal translation of French terminology, class structure and varied approaches to teaching classical ballet.
4370. Dance Criticism and Aesthetics. A practical introduction to writing about dance performance. Works of master critics are examined to gain a historical perspective and to become familiar with a variety of methodologies in analyzing dance texts. Emphasis placed on observation and writing skills. Open to all students.
Prerequisite: DANC 2373 or 2374 and instructor approval.
4373. Dance History I: Court and Ballet. The development of ballet as a Western theatre art, from its roots in the French court to contemporary ballet in Europe and America. Emphasis will be placed on choreographic schools and styles as well as the consideration of the ballet aesthetic in a broader cultural context. Required for the B.F.A. in dance performance.
4374. Dance History II: Modernism. The development of modernism in dance from the turn of the century to the present. Emphasis will be placed on the evolution of choreographic schools and styles as well as the relationship of dance to the arts and humanities and to the culture in which dance is created. Required for the B.F.A. in dance performance.
Prerequisite: DANC 2373 or instructor approval.
Applied Studies
1151. Dance Production I. Introduction to the technical preparation, production and running of dance performances. Scheduled classes provide orientation and information for providing support in areas of lighting, sound, costumes and scenery. In addition, in-service assignments provide hands-on training in mounting a main stage production, as well as load-in and strike of dance productions in other venues. Required of all first-year dance majors.
1152. Dance Production II. Service assignments for performance activities as a continuation of material introduced in the previous term. Development of production skills through verbal and visual communication. This course includes lab hours outside of and in addition to the regularly scheduled class meeting times. Required for the B.F.A. in dance performance.
1244. The Dancer's Toolbox. Introduces healthy and effective practices that will serve to develop a vibrant and successful dance artist. The four units of the course will focus on physical well-being, artistic protocols, intellectual and cultural perspectives, and diverse approaches to creating and sustaining motivation and inspiration. Collaboration with other orientation courses and projects will be incorporated. Required for the B.F.A. in dance performance.
1326. Foundations of Music: History and Theory. A course designed to introduce students to basic listening skills, historic musical literature, methods for exploring multiple genres of music, and basic music theory related to rhythm and dynamics. The theoretical materials introduced in this class will be reinforced and practiced in the composition track (three terms of composition and one term of choreo-lab), which begins in the sophomore year.
2107. World Rhythms I. Listening, analysis and performance of African, Latin American and other rhythms. Techniques of playing percussion will be explored. Opportunities will be provided for students to accompany dancers using authentic instruments.
2108. World Rhythms II. Continued listening, analysis and performance of African, Latin American and other rhythms. Techniques of playing percussion will be explored in greater depth, with more emphasis on performance. Further opportunities for students to accompany dancers using authentic instruments.
Prerequisite: DANC 2107 or instructor approval.
2160. Introduction to Pilates. A nonimpact body conditioning method based on principles of abdominal and scapular stabilization. Introduction to essential and intermediate mat work, which consists of nonweight-bearing exercises. Designed to give the student an understanding of the principles and muscular emphasis behind the Pilates method. Proper alignment, full range of motion and patterned breathing will be emphasized. Fulfills the General Education Curriculum Choices II Wellness requirement for dance majors only. Required of all second-year dance majors.
2345. Improvisation and Movement Studies. The development of individual movement skills through the exploration of images and elements from all of the arts, emphasizing the concepts of line, rhythm, mass and weight. Special attention will be placed on individual creative problem-solving through movement as it pertains to space, time and energy. Open to all students.
Prerequisites: One year of dance technique and instructor approval.
2361. Dance Notation I. Introduction to Labanotation, with emphasis on reading dance notation of ballet, modern dance, jazz dance and multicultural dance forms. Introduction to LabanWriter, computer software for dance notation. Introduction to motif writing. Required for the B.F.A. in dance performance.
Prerequisite: DANC 1242 or instructor approval.
2362. Dance Notation II. Continuing studies in Labanotation, including reading dance scores and working with computer applications for choreography. Inclusion of projects in documentation as opportunity allows.
Prerequisite: DANC 2361.
2381. Repertory and Performance I. Rehearsal and performance of world dances and major works of ballet and modern dance repertory, with discussion of the choreographic structure of the dances, to develop performance interpretation.
Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
2382. Repertory and Performance II. Rehearsal and performance of world dances and additional works of ballet and modern dance repertory, with discussion of the choreographic structure of the dances, to develop performance interpretation.
Prerequisite: DANC 2381 or instructor approval.
3381. Repertory and Performance III. Rehearsal and performance of master works of choreography, with emphasis on refinement of detail, clarity of phrasing, expression, musicality and versatility within a broad range of styles.
Prerequisite: DANC 2382 or instructor approval.
3382. Repertory and Performance IV. Rehearsal and performance of additional master works of choreography, with emphasis on refinement of detail, clarity of phrasing, expression, musicality and versatility within a broad range of styles.
Prerequisite: DANC 3381 or instructor approval.
4003, 4004, 4103, 4104. Partnering I. Introduction to the basic elements of partnering inherent in classical ballet. Emphasis on technical skills and classical style. Includes excerpts from classical repertory. Admission by invitation.
Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
4005, 4006, 4007, 4008, 4105, 4106, 4107, 4108. Partnering II. Further exploration of the elements of partnering with an emphasis on more complex technical skills and stylistic versatility. Includes excerpts from classical repertory. Admission by invitation.
Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
4045, 4145, 4245. Advanced Choreographic Projects. Individual directed studies in choreography with a culminating performance.
Prerequisites: DANC 3244 and instructor approval.
4260. Pilates. A nonimpact body conditioning method based on principles of abdominal and scapular stabilization. A continuation of DANC 2160, this course adds advanced mat work and Pilates Reformer exercises. Designed to give the student further understanding of the principles and muscular emphasis behind the Pilates method. Proper alignment, full range of motion and patterned breathing will be emphasized.
Prerequisite: DANC 2160 or instructor approval.
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