About this Program
The Department of Theatre offers a Dance Minor with two separate emphasis options: Dance Studies provides students with an in-depth appreciation of dance as performance and social art form, while Applied Dance offers experienced dancers opportunities to further develop technique, artistry, and knowledge of that field. These two options provide flexibility for students to tailor their classes to suit a rage of prior experience levels.
Technique courses are offered in ballet, modern, jazz and tap that are supplemented by courses in dance appreciation, dance history, dance composition, and/or related academic areas. The program brings in guest artists whenever possible for master classes and/or choreographic residencies.
Student opportunities to perform and choreograph are also available through yearly dance concerts.
Acquired Skills
Through training in Dance, students develop a vast variety of skills including:
- Creativity and expression
- Ability to learn quickly and take direction
- Ability to improve with feedback
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Problem solving
- Dedication/determination
Career Possibilities
A minor shows potential employers that you put in extra effort and have a range of strong interest areas. Furthermore, a minor can cultivate new skills and encourage you to think in ways that may seem unconventional in your major field. Unconventional thinking can lead to creative problem solving.
In addition to performing or teaching dance, some dancers go into a specialized field of choreography or become dance notators, recording and preserving choreography and repertoire for the future. Some dance students parlay their knowledge of the performing arts into a job in arts management or arts administration, running operations, finance or the marketing arms of existing arts organizations.
Admissions and Scholarships
The Dance minor is 23-31 credits and can be started in any semester. Department scholarships are available to Theatre majors only.
Student Clubs
As a subsidiary of UMD’s Department of Theatre, Stage 2 Theatre Company works exclusively with UMD faculty, staff, and students to produce its own student-run theatrical season every academic year. Students comprise the Stage 2 Board of Directors and manage every aspect of production. Stage 2 is an excellent supplemental source of involvement particularly for non-Theatre majors and Theatre B.A. students.
USITT United States Institute for Theatre Technology student chapter works to promote learning among peers and to support theatre design and technology on campus. USITT at UMD frequently supports students’ attendance to the USITT national conference, where students are exposed to new design elements, technologies and theories.
Attitudes Dance Association is currently one of the biggest student organizations on campus, with more than 100 members. It is a student-run group that welcomes anyone who is a student at UMD, College of St. Scholastica, or Lake Superior College; anyone who wants to dance! ADA gives dancers the opportunity to both perform and choreograph in an annual spring performance.
Requirements
A Dance minor can be paired with any major.