Dance minor

DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE & DANCE

 

You are a mover. You dream of creating motion, choreographing performances and cultivating the minds of future dancers. Learn a variety of dance styles including modern, ballet, jazz, and more, through courses like Kinesiology, Dance History, and Improvisation. The dance program at Winthrop University includes a well-rounded exploration of dance as well as rigorous study within each emphasis. Students participate in studio-based practices and explorations as well as performances and other educational offerings. Our program offers small class sizes and personalized attention that sets us apart from larger institutions. 

 

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

students dancing

Our dance program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance. 

The Dance minor is an 18-hour program.

Students minoring in dance at Winthrop University will experience a program that encourages a breadth of knowledge that includes many different styles of dance including This core curriculum includes courses in performance (modern, ballet, jazz technique and improvistation), production (technical production and performance skills).

This program is designed to give the student a well-rounded introduction to dance. Dance minors are welcome and encouraged to participate in all the department's activities, including courses, auditions, crews and student organizations.

Each year, the department presents one main stage dance production, two student choreography showcases, and as many as six studio dance/theatre productions and other informal performances.

LEARN MORE

OUR DANCE FACULTY

Winthrop dance faculty are accomplished professionals, working with such companies as Merce Cunningham, Bodiography Contemporary Ballet in Charlotte, Charlotte Ballet, Utah Ballet and the Zurich Ballet. They are dedicated teachers who continually share their experience and talents with students. Through countless opportunities for interaction inside and outside the classroom, strong bonds and mentorships are fostered between faculty and student.

Faculty members individually mentor majors so that they will be successful in the dance program and in preparing for careers.  The dance faculty conducts a placement class at the beginning of the fall semester as an assessment of dance technique proficiency for all new dance and musical theatre majors (whether first-time or transfer students).  Faculty use this placement class to recommend enrollment in the appropriate level of technique for each student. 

 

DANCE FACULTY & STAFFCURRICULUMDEGREE CHECKLISTS

required courses:

  • Technique - 3 credit hours in Modern Dance and 2 credit hours in Ballet (total of 5 credits)

  • DANT 200 (1) Improvisation

  • DANT 298 (3) Dance Appreciation

  • DANA 251 (1) Jazz Technique I or DANA 252 (1) Jazz Technique II

  • Two additional hours selected from:

    • DANA 443 (1) Dance Production: Practicum

    • DANA 444 (1) Dance Performance: Practicum

    • THRA 173 (1) Theatre Practicum: House Management

  • And 6 credit hours of DANT/DANA electives, or THRT 115 Intro to Production,

    or THRA 173 Theatre Practicum

  • 6 hours must be above the 299 level

*It is important to note that a course may not be used to fulfill the hour requirements of more than one major or minor.

View video footage of ballet and modern technique classes below:

BALLET IBALLET IIIMODERN IIMODERN IIIMODERN IV

 

student work

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Daniel Gordon

Daniel Gordon

Chair, Department of Theatre & Dance

Office: 115 Johnson
Phone: 803/323-4938
E-mail: gordond@winthrop.edu

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