Dance, BFA

Program Description:

The Department of Theatre, Dance, and Motion Pictures is devoted exclusively to the training and education of undergraduate students in the areas of dance, motion pictures, and theatre. These programs lead to the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees.

The Department of Theatre, Dance, and Motion Pictures is empowered by the Ohio Revised Code to require particular preliminary training or talent for admission to specific programs, and each of the five B.F.A. degree programs has specific criteria for admission to each level of training. Students in all areas must earn a minimum GPA of 2.0 by the end of the freshman year to continue in a theatre arts major. Students who wish to be admitted as majors in acting, acting/musical theatre, or dance must successfully pass an audition or interview. Transfer students are admitted into B.F.A. programs on the basis of a successful audition, interview, or portfolio presentation. The department has an open admissions policy for students wishing to major in the B.A. programs in theatre studies and motion pictures history, theory, and criticism, and B.F.A. programs in design/technology and motion pictures production.

All students who return after an absence of three or more consecutive semesters must reapply to the faculty for readmission to the program, and at the discretion of the faculty they may be required to satisfy program requirements in effect at the time of readmission. Details of the admission and retention policy are detailed in the Department of Theatre Arts Student Handbook.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Technical proficiency in dance (ballet, modern, and/or jazz), as well as stylistically and artistically versatility.
• Competence in the creation and production of choreography.
• Knowledge of contemporary dance styles.
• Programmatic understanding of the business side of the dance profession and familiarity with employment in regional, national, and international dance venues and graduate opportunities.

Dance:

The dance program is designed to train students for professional careers in dance performance. This Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree combines dance technique classes with theatrical and musical training to prepare students to succeed in their specialized field of concert dance or musical theatre.

The foundation of the dance curriculum is a daily class in ballet technique with additional training in modern, jazz theatre dance, and tap.

Classes in choreography, dance pedagogy, dance history, and pointe/men’s class are required. Seniors must complete an individually choreographed senior dance project in conjunction with a support paper. Required courses outside of dance include studies in theatre, acting, music theory, music literature, and singing.

All students must successfully audition for admission into the dance program. Only selected students who demonstrate technical skill and artistry and a promise of high achievement in dance are accepted. All transfer students are required to audition for acceptance and placement. To remain in the dance program, students must demonstrate continual growth as judged by the faculty and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA in all dance courses and a 2.0 GPA overall. Dance faculty evaluate all majors at the end of each academic year; students must earn a positive recommendation before they can enroll for the next level of training. Exceptional dance majors are selected to study and to perform as members of Dayton Ballet II or Dayton Contemporary II. These dancers are eligible for scholarships from the Department of Theatre, Dance, and Motion Pictures.

Dance majors have the opportunity to perform in the Wright State University Dance Ensemble as well as audition for musicals or plays. The dance program brings together theatrical and musical training to begin students on the path to becoming professional dancers, choreographers, and teachers. The unique training allows dance students unique opportunities to grow and explore multiple disciplines. Additionally, exchange programs with Dayton Ballet and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company offer exceptional dance majors and further opportunities for training and performance.