Specializations
"SIUE has such an amazing dance program. The department has gone above and beyond to ensure my future as a professional dancer. We had so many performance opportunities, as well as professional experiences. Having these opportunities gave me the confidence to enter the workforce knowing I was ready to contribute."
-Rico Velazquez, 2014, Company Member, Diavolo
At SIUE, the dance program cultivates artistry, creativity and critical thinking in a supportive learning environment. Using a liberal arts approach, students are provided with professional development skills that lead to lifelong careers within the field of dance. Students also complete the necessary coursework to pursue a graduate degree if they choose to do so. Our program is known for its small class sizes, individual artistic freedom and emphasis on injury prevention. Along with courses in dance techniques, students can explore courses in choreography, dance pedagogy, dance science, dance history and dance management.
Through the Department of Theater and Dance, students have the opportunity to participate in the annual dance intensive; two annual dance productions featuring a student choreographed and produced concert, as well as a faculty, guest artist, and alumni dance concert; a summer musical theater production; and a four-day experimental theater and dance festival in the fall.
The University Dance Company offers students the opportunity of professional performing experience, which most recently includes performances at the Grand Dance Fest, National Dance Week, CommUNITY Arts Festival and the Midwest Dance Festival. This group also attends the American College Dance Association's regional conference each year.
In addition to our regular curriculum, special workshops, guest artists and conferences are available to our students. Our most recent special learning experiences include:
- Master classes and choreography with Sidra Bell, Dance NY
- Master classes and choreography with Chicago Dance Crash
- Master classes and choreography with Jon Lehrer, Dance NY
- Master classes with Luck Plush Dance, Chicago
- Master class/seminar with Rico Velazquez, Diavolo Dance Theater, Los Angeles
The following courses are offered through the dance specialization:
- Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap
- Composition
- Dance History
- Dance Management
- Dance Pedagogy
- Dance Science
- Costume/Lighting/Sound Design
- Stage Management
Sample Curriculum for the Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Dance, Specialization in Dance
Year 1 (Fall Semester)
(3) DANC 114 Movement Fundamentals (EH)
(3) THEA 112A Acting I: Intro to Acting (BFPA)
(3) ACS 101 Public Speaking
(3) ENG 101 Composition
(4) FL 101 Elementary Foreign Language I (BICS)
(1) FST 101 Succeeding & Engaging at SIUE
17 - Total Credits
Year 1 (Spring Semester)
(3) THEA 114A Forms of Dramatic Action
(3-4) THEA 150, THEA 160, or THEA 170 (select one)
(3) Breadth Humanities (BHUM)
(3) ENG 102 Composition
(4) FL 102 Elementary Foreign Language II (EGC)
16-17 - Total Credits
Year 2 (Fall Semester)
(2) DANC 210A Beginning Modern Dance Techniques or DANC 211A Beginning Ballet
(3) DANC 240 History of Dance
(0) THEA 199 Theater Production
(3) RA 101 Reasoning & Argumentation
(3) KIN 315 or BIOL 240A (recommended)
(3) Breadth Life Science (BLS)
(3) Breadth Social Science (BSS)
17 - Total Credits
Year 2 (Spring Semester)
(0) THEA 199 Theater Production
(3) THEA 114B Forms of Dramatic Action
(3) THEA 220 Directing for the Stage
(3) ART 225A or ART 225B
(2) Elective
(3) QR 101, MATH 150 or Higher
14 - Total Credits
Year 3 (Fall Semester)
(2) DANC 220 Rhythmic Structure
(2) DANC 230 Intro to Laban Movement
(3) DANC 310A Intermediate Modern Dance
(2) DANC 311A Intermediate Ballet Techniques
(3) Experience United States Culture (EUSC)
(2) Elective
14 - Total Credits
Year 3 (Spring Semester)
(2) DANC 310B Intermediate Modern Dance
(2) DANC 311B Intermediate Ballet Techniques
(0) THEA 199 Theater Production
(3) Interdisciplinary Studies (IS)
(3) Breadth Physical Science (BPS)
(3) Lab Experience (EL)
(3) Elective
16 - Total Credits
Year 4 (Fall Semester)
(2) DANC 410A, DANC 410B, DANC 411A, DANC 411B (select one)
(2) DANC 420A Dance Composition I
(2) DANC 433 Dance Pedagogy & Methodology
(0) THEA 199 Theater Production Elective
(3) THEA 201A Core: History of the Theater
(3) THEA 201B Core: History of the Theater
12 - Total Credits
Year 4 (Spring Semester)
(2) DANC 420B Dance Composition II
(3) DANC 499 Senior Assignment
(3) Elective
(3) Elective
(3) Elective
14 - Total Credits
Total Hours 120
