Department of Theater and Dance
Chair: Professor Ruth Weiner
Professors: Mary Easter, Ruth Weiner
Benedict Distinguished Visiting Professor: Edward Berkeley
Associate Professor: David Wiles
Adjunct Instructors: Jennifer A. Bader, Jane Shockley
Lecturer: Walter Wojciechowski
Dayton Hudson Distinguished Visiting Playwright: Barbara Field
The goal of the new Department of Theater and Dance is to provide a broad experience of both arts for all Carleton students. We are equally committed to providing the opportunity for intensive study for students desiring to focus on theater and/or dance. The connection between theory and practice is a key component of our curriculum. Both disciplines regularly bring in distinguished visiting artists: directors, choreographers, actors, dancers and playwrights.
Dance (DANC)
Dance activities are designed to give students of all levels opportunities for active participation in three basic areas: technique, choreography and analysis, and performance. The broadest goal of these offerings is to increase understanding of the art of dance as a contribution to a liberal arts education. Among more specific goals are the development of a trained, articulate body, increased choreographic skill and more finely-honed performance.
Advanced students may apply to the Department of Theater and Dance for a special major in Dance. Acceptance to the program is based on personal interviews with faculty, auditions to establish class level and the submission of a short essay and a detailed schedule of required courses obtained from the department. Note that the major requires one term's participation in an approved, off-campus conservatory program.
Technique Classes
Classes in Modern Dance Technique and Ballet are offered on at least two levels during all terms. Other technique classes offered yearly are jazz, moving anatomy and contact improvisation. All courses may be taken any number of terms at the appropriate level. A maximum of 24 credits from dance technique classes may be counted toward graduation.
DANC 107. Ballet I 1 credit cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Fall,Winter,Spring—J. Bader
DANC 138. Jazz An introduction to basic styles and dynamics of jazz dance. Prerequisite: At least one term of ballet or modern dance. 1 credit cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Not offered in 2003-2004.
DANC 147. Moving Anatomy This course seeks to provide an underlying awareness of body structure and function. Using movement to expand knowledge of our anatomy will encourage participants to integrate information with experience. Heightened body awareness and class studies are designed to activate the general learning process. 1 credit cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Spring—J. Shockley
DANC 148. Modern Dance ITechnique and Theory 1 credit cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Fall,Winter,Spring—M. Easter, J. Shockley
DANC 150. Contact Improvisation This is a course in techniques of spontaneous dancing shared by two or more people through a common point of physical contact. Basic skills such as support, counterbalance, rolling, falling and flying will be taught and developed in an environment of mutual creativity. 1 credit cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Fall—J. Shockley
DANC 200. Modern Dance II: Technique and Theory A continuation of Level I with more emphasis on the development of technique and expressive qualities. 1 credit cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Fall,Spring—M. Easter
DANC 208. Ballet II For the student with previous ballet experience. This course emphasizes articulation of technique and development of ballet vocabulary. 1 credit cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Fall,Winter,Spring—J. Bader
DANC 300. Modern Dance III: Technique and Theory Intensive work on technical, theoretical, and expressive problems for the experienced dancer. 1 credit cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Fall,Spring—J. Shockley
DANC 301. Contemporary Styles and Techniques A physical exploration of the technical, theoretical and stylistic bases of different approaches to modern dance movement chosen yearly from such techniques as: Body Mind Centering; Limon; Cunningham; Graham; African-Caribbean. Prerequisite: some previous dance experience. 2 credits cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Fall—Staff
DANC 309. Ballet III 1 credit cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Spring—J. Bader
Choreography Courses
DANC 114. Black Dance: An Historical Survey Through Movement, Composition, Readings and Guest Lecture-Performa Cross-listed with AFAM 114. A general survey of the dance modes of Black Americans and a tracing of the unique movement attitudes and their continuing significance in black life from their African origins to the concert stage of the 20th century. 6 credits cr., AL, Spring—M. Easter
DANC 180. Movement, Words, Meaning This introductory course in choreography explores sources for understanding and releasing creativity through the physical acts of moving and speaking. Guided movement and vocal improvisations will provide a means of developing body image and awareness and uncovering personal and universal voices. Concentrating on the craft of choreography in theme, design, motivation and text, participants will create short original compositions and longer individual projects. Readings on creative process; discussion, analysis and feedback on the works of the class as they develop; and choreographic journals will complete the course activities. 6 credits cr., AL, Not offered in 2003-2004.
DANC 185. Improvisation: A Choreographer's Tool Participants will investigate improvisational movement structures as a tool to clarify choreographic intentions. Suited to all levels of experience, students will be guided through daily movement studies. The discussion and critique of these studies will lead to an end of term improvisational composition. Improvisation is not merely a technique for developing new material, but can be spontaneous expression in a finished performance. Philosophical readings on the art of improvisation will accompany studio work. 6 credits cr., AL, Winter—J. Shockley
DANC 204. Fall Dance Intensive rehearsal and performance of a work commissioned from a professional guest choreographer. Open to all levels. 1 credit cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Fall—M. Easter
DANC 205. Winter Dance Intensive rehearsal and performance of a work commissioned from a professional guest choreographer. Open to all levels. 1 credit cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Winter—Staff
DANC 206. Spring Dance Rehearsal and full concert performance of student dance works created during the year and completed in the spring term. Open to all levels. Prerequisites: One of the following: Dance 204, 205, 214, 215 or 350. 1 credit cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Spring—M. Easter, J. Shockley
DANC 214. Fall Dance, Student Choreography For students enrolled in Dance 204, supervised student choreography with two public showings. 1 credit cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Fall—Staff
DANC 215. Winter Dance, Student Choreography For students enrolled in Dance 205, supervised student choreography with two public showings. 1 credit cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Winter—Staff
DANC 250. Intermediate/Advanced Modern Dance Technique Intensive work on technical, theoretical and expressive problems for intermediate and advanced dances in a mutual learning context. 1 credit cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Winter—J. Shockley
DANC 253. Movement for the Performer Cross-listed with THEA 253. This course investigates the structure and function of the body through movement. Applying a variety of somatic techniques (feldenkrais, yoga, improvisation, body-mind centering). The emphasis will be to discover effortless movement, balance in the body and an integration of self in moving. 3 cr., AL, Winter—J. Shockley
DANC 350. Semaphore Repertory Dance Company This company provides advanced dance students with an intensive opportunity to develop as performers in professional level dances. Among the skills to be honed are: the dancer as "tool" and contributor to the process of art-making; defining individual technical and expressive gifts; working in a variety of new technical and philosophical dance frameworks. In addition to regular training during the academic terms, participation in a "pre-season" rehearsal period before fall term is required. A few pieces of student choreography will be accepted for repertory. The group produces an annual concert, performs in the Twin Cities and makes dance exchanges with other college groups. Audition required. 1 credit cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Fall,Winter,Spring—M. Easter, J. Shockley
Theater Arts (THEA)
The Department of Theater and Dance offers theater courses in each of the major areas of interest: design-technical, acting, performances, and directing, as well as courses in literature, history, and criticism that are cross-listed with other departments.
Advanced students may apply to the Department of Theater and Dance for a special major in Theater. Students can work out programs of study with theater arts as the essential component of a special major that might include courses from a variety of departments, such as English, Classics, Romance Languages and Literatures, German and Russian (See below).
Theater Courses
ENGL 209. The Country Wife Cross-listed with THEA 209. We will study William Wycherley's Winter—R. Weiner, T. Raylor
ENGL 246. Playwriting Cross-listed with THEA 246. A laboratory to explore the craft of playwriting, concentrating on structure, action and character. The class uses games, exercises, scenes, with the goal of producing a short play by the end of the term. 6 credits cr., S/CR/NC, AL, Winter—B. Field
ENGL 310. Shakespeare: The Histories and Comedies Cross-listed with THEA 310. A study of Shakespeare's Lancastrien Tetralogy and of his comedies of the 1590s. Group I. 6 credits cr., AL, Spring—F. Morral
ENGL 351. Women Playwrights/Women's Roles Cross-listed with THEA 351,WGST 351. . A study of images of women in plays by Shakespeare, Ibsen, Strindberg, Tennessee Williams, and a number of women playwrights from Hellman and Clare Booth Luce to Caryl Churchill to Ntozaue Shange. 6 credits cr., AL, Not offered in 2003-2004.
Courses in other departments applicable to The Department of Theater and Dance. For course descriptions, see departmental listings.
ENGL 291: Independent Study
ENGL 380-381: London Program
GERM 355: Topics in German Drama: 20th Century Theatrical Experiments
GRK 204: Greek Tragedy
SPAN 248: Drama and Performance in Latin America (not offered in 2003-2004)