Program in Dance
Director
Susan Marshall
Executive Committee
Ze’eva Cohen, Lewis Center for the Arts
Jill S. Dolan, English, Lewis Center for the Arts, Theater
Jeffrey Eugenides, Lewis Center for the Arts, Creative Writing
Su Friedrich, Lewis Center for the Arts, Visual Arts
Emmet W. S. Gowin, Lewis Center for the Arts, Visual Arts
Chang-rae Lee, Lewis Center for the Arts, Creative Writing
Susan Marshall, Lewis Center for the Arts
Paul B. Muldoon, Lewis Center for the Arts, Creative Writing
Joyce Carol Oates, Lewis Center for the Arts, Creative Writing
James Richardson, English, Lewis Center for the Arts, Creative Writing
Joseph S. Scanlan, Lewis Center for the Arts, Visual Arts
P. Adams Sitney, Lewis Center for the Arts, Visual Arts
Edmund V. White, Lewis Center for the Arts, Creative Writing
Stacy E. Wolf, Lewis Center for the Arts, Theater
Professor
Ze’eva Cohen, also Lewis Center for the Arts
Susan Marshall
Senior Lecturer
Rebecca J. Lazier
Lecturer
Tina Fehlandt
Dyane Harvey Salaam
Patricia Hoffbauer
Edisa Weeks
The Program in Dance, part of the Lewis Center for the Arts, familiarizes students with creative, performative, and analytical approaches to dance through exposure to professional choreographers, dancers, critics, and scholars. While pursuing a liberal arts education, students have the opportunity to undertake demanding, studio-based courses in dance with first-class dance professionals. The program provides advanced courses for the pre-professional dancer in addition to creating opportunities for students who have never danced. The creation of original work, both choreographic and written, is emphasized alongside rigorous technical training. The program supports multiple performance opportunities each year, ranging from full professional productions in the Berlind Theatre with choreography by faculty, guests, and students, to site-specific interdisciplinary thesis projects and independent experimental work. Students with a special, perhaps even a career interest in dance, can choose to earn a program certificate.
The curricular wing of the program offers courses in modern, contemporary, and African dance techniques, repertory, and choreography, as well as in dance history, analysis, and criticism. The program also provides daily co-curricular ballet classes for beginning and advanced students. Yearly short- and long-term visiting artists enhance curricular offerings through special workshops and seminars, as well as choreographing or staging seminal dance repertory for dance concerts.
Admission
Program courses are open to all undergraduates. Past experience in dance is not a requirement for admission to introductory courses, but the program also offers sufficient intermediate and advanced classes, as well as co-curricular opportunities, such that the serious student will, upon graduation, be prepared for advanced study in the field. Program courses are designed to encourage artistic creation and to understand the many forms artistic creation has taken. Many students find the program’s courses intensely fulfilling and liberating. However, they also require discipline, technique, the willingness to take risks and possibly fail, and the desire to work hard at what inevitably prove to be demanding tasks. For this reason, only students serious about the exploration of dance—and of themselves—should apply for admission to courses or to the certificate program.
Certificate Program
A certificate from the Program in Dance will be awarded to students who successfully complete a substantial amount of work in the practical and academic areas of the discipline. Students should enroll in the certificate program during the second term of the sophomore year, but no later than the start of the second term of the junior year. At least two of the required courses, including one from the program listing, should be completed before enrollment in the certificate program.
To obtain a certificate in dance, students need to complete: (1) four studio courses above the introductory level; one of which must be a spring semester studio course; (2) one course in dance history and criticism: DAN 321 Special Topics in Dance History, Criticism, and Aesthetics offered spring semester only; (3) two performances in faculty and guest choreographer works in the Annual Dance Performance at the Berlind Theatre during the junior and/or senior year, one of which must be with a guest choreographer; (4) two semesters of co-curricular ballet class; and (5) 20 hours of technical work in assisting the dance program’s productions.
Exceptions to course work may be made for students with pre-professional training who maintain their training while at Princeton. These students may substitute a theoretical or practical course in performance studies (theater or music) in lieu of a fourth studio dance course. The choice of the substituted course should be determined in consultation with the program director.
Advanced Creative Work
While students fulfill their independent work for the certificate in dance through their work for the Annual Student Performance at the Berlind Theatre, they may also pursue an optional creative thesis, either in collaboration with fellow students or as individuals, under the supervision of the faculty of the Program in Dance. These projects can feature a student’s own choreography and/or dances by professional artists in the field. With permission of the student’s department of concentration, such projects may also satisfy one of the requirements for independent work in the department, in which case it must consist of or be accompanied by written work, such as a scholarly or critical evaluation.
Certificate of Proficiency
Students who fulfill the requirements of the program receive a certificate of proficiency in dance upon graduation.
Courses
DAN 209 Introduction to Movement and Dance Fall, Spring LA
A mix of movement techniques, improvisation, and composition. Students with no previous dance training will learn how to recognize their own movement potential and how to build their own dances. The essential principles and evolution of 20th-century modern and post-modern dance will be studied through readings and viewings of live and videotaped dance performances. Two two-hour classes. E. Weeks (fall)
DAN 211 The American Dance Experience and Africanist Dance Practices (also AAS 211) Spring LA
A studio course introducing students to American dance aesthetics and practice, with a focus on how American dance has been influenced by African American choreographers and dancers. An ongoing study of movement practices from traditional African dances and those of the African diaspora, touching on American jazz dance, modern dance, and American ballet. Studio work will be complemented by readings, video viewings, guest speakers, and dance studies. Two two-hour classes. D. Harvey Salaam
DAN 219 Modern Dance: Beginning Technique and Choreography Fall LA
The practice of primarily modern dance and some ballet techniques designed to further expand movement vocabulary and expressive range. Students will be introduced to the influence of Modernism on choreographic practices through structured improvisations, choreographic studies, viewing videotapes, and readings. Two two-hour classes in technique, one two-hour class in choreography. P. Hoffbauer, E. Weeks
DAN 220 Modern Dance: Beginning/ Intermediate Technique and Choreography Spring LA
The practice of primarily modern dance and some ballet techniques designed to further expand movement vocabulary and expressive range. Students will be introduced to the influence of Modernism on choreographic practices through structured improvisations, choreographic studies, viewing videotapes, and readings. Two two-hour classes in technique, one two-hour class in choreography. E. Weeks, R. Lazier
DAN 309 Modern Dance: Intermediate Technique and Choreography Spring LA
To understand and experience contemporary dance through technique, choreography, and reading. In technique, students will be encouraged to expand movement range and increase technical mastery as related to modern and contemporary dance practices. In choreography, students will be encouraged to create dances that articulate their independent vision in solo and group works. Readings about and viewings of live and videotaped dance from mid-20th century dance will supplement studio work and expand knowledge of historical and contemporary trends in the arts. Two two-hour classes in technique, one two-hour class in choreography. E. Weeks
DAN 319 Dance Performance Workshop: Intermediate Repertory and Choreography Fall LA
In the repertory component, students expand their understanding of the creative process, their technical ability, and expressive range through the development of an original dance, or reconstruction, created in collaboration with a faculty member. The choreography component guides students through improvisation to explore themes, concepts, and structures to develop a personal movement style. Students read essays about and view videos of major figures in 20th-century dance. Two two-hour repertory classes, one two-hour choreography class. T. Fehlandt, S. Marshall
DAN 321 Special Topics in Dance History, Criticism, and Aesthetics Spring LA
Dance as a theatrical art form and/or a social practice. Topics might include a study of dance as an expression of personal, aesthetic, religious, social, and/or political concerns. Classes will be augmented by film, videos, music, guest speakers, occasional demonstrations, and studio work. One three-hour seminar. P. Hoffbauer
DAN 409 Contemporary Dance: Advanced Technique and Choreography Spring LA
Advanced dance technique and choreography, with an emphasis on contemporary practices. In technique, students will be challenged to expand their movement range and increase their mastery in ways required by today’s dance world. In choreography, students will explore the new territory pioneered by leading choreographers. Selected readings and viewings of live and videotaped dance from the late 20th century will supplement studio work and expand knowledge of contemporary trends in the arts. Two two-hour classes in technique, one two-hour class in choreography. T. Fehlandt
DAN 419 Dance Performance Workshop: Advanced Repertory and Choreography Fall LA
Students will master the performance of a technically advanced choreographic work with the aim to further challenge their technical expertise, expressive range, and stylistic clarity. Students will also create choreography infusing movement invention with ideas informed by historical and contemporary dance practices. Two two-hour classes in repertory and one two-hour class in choreography. Staff
DAN 420 Chamber Dance: Repertory and Choreography Fall LA
This course covers the study and performance of seminal historical and contemporary chamber dances ranging from solos to septets. It will emphasize performance techniques encouraging rich, subtle, and stylistically accurate renditions of the repertoire while fostering intelligent and imaginative artistic interpretations. Student choreography will be geared toward the creation of small ensembles, the study of existing master works will be done by viewing videotapes of the dance literature, attending live concerts, and reading and analyzing historical works. Two two-hour classes in repertory and one two-hour class in choreography. Staff