Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Choreography for Musical Theatre

A rigorous, highly individualized, and specialized training program combined with a broad liberal arts education. Through concentrated study in improvisation, composition, and pedagogy, students learn the craft of choreography and teaching for the Musical Theatre stage, consistently putting those skills to use in the studio and the Center for Theatre and Dance’s Production Laboratory season, culminating in a Senior Capstone Project. Comprehensive knowledge in dance combines with foundational knowledge in theatre and music to provide a framework on which to build technical proficiency in a variety of dance styles including ballet, jazz, modern, and tap. In addition, students take courses in health, wellness, and entrepreneurship to gain interdisciplinary knowledge in the field. Students will develop into well-rounded artists through the hands-on and robust curriculum and will learn how to envision, create, and maintain a career in the arts.

Who is it for?

The major in dance and musical theater choreography is for creative, dynamic students of dance that are highly motivated to attend a rigorous individualized program in pursuit of a career in musical theater choreography and developing into a well-rounded artist.

What will your four years look like?

The four years are a steady progression in which techniques and skills are acquired and opportunities to practice one's craft and develop a unique voice and vision are cultivated.

• Year One details the foundational technical training, introduction to choreographic principles, and community-building aspects that help students transition successfully to college-level dance study.

• Year Two expands on the skill-building theme by highlighting advanced technique work, music-movement relationships, character development, and early professional experiences.

• Year Three emphasizes the increased responsibility and international opportunities, detailing both the London program benefits and on-campus leadership roles that prepare students for professional work.

• Year Four centers on a capstone project while cultivating professional preparation, industry connections, and career pathway exploration.

Year One – Foundations

Students are introduced to principles, practices, and trends in dance and are prepared for summer study, internships, and audition opportunities. The first year is focused on the acclimation to College life, building a strong dance major cohort, helping students transition to their first term on campus, and exploring the essential components of dance-making. Through foundational courses in ballet, jazz, tap, and modern dance techniques, students develop the physical vocabulary essential for musical theater choreography. They engage with dance history and theory, learning how movement has evolved within theatrical contexts from classic Broadway to contemporary productions. Students also begin their journey in choreographic composition, working with basic elements of space, time, and energy while exploring how movement can serve narrative and character development. Creative workshops introduce students to collaboration with musicians, directors, and designers, establishing the interdisciplinary mindset crucial for musical theater work. By year's end, students will have participated in showcases that demonstrate their growing technical proficiency and emerging artistic voice, while building the confidence and community connections that will support their continued growth.

Year Two – Skill Building

Students continue to explore the fundamentals of dance choreography through a range of practical and theoretical coursework. Advanced technique classes in multiple dance styles deepen students' movement vocabulary, with particular emphasis on the versatility required for musical theater choreography. Students delve into the relationship between music and movement, studying rhythm, phrasing, and musical structure while learning to choreograph to diverse musical theater genres from golden age classics to contemporary pop scores. Character-driven movement becomes a focus as students explore how dance can reveal personality, advance plot, and create emotional resonance within theatrical storytelling. Through hands-on workshops, students work with student actors and singers, learning to direct performers and communicate choreographic vision effectively. Historical and cultural studies examine the evolution of dance in American musical theater, from the pioneering work of Agnes de Mille and Jerome Robbins to contemporary innovators. Students also begin exploring technology's role in modern choreography, including video documentation and digital collaboration tools. Assessment projects challenge students to create short choreographic works that demonstrate their growing ability to synthesize technical skill, musical understanding, and theatrical storytelling.

Year Three – Responsibility, Change, and London

Students are given more responsibility to participate in season productions and have the option to continue their training while abroad in London. This pivotal year emphasizes professional development and cultural expansion as students take on assistant choreographer and dance captain roles in college productions, learning to work within professional timelines, budgets, and collaborative structures. Advanced choreographic studies focus on large-scale musical numbers, teaching students to manage ensemble work, staging, and the complex logistics of musical theater production. Those participating in the London program immerse themselves in the rich tradition of West End musical theater, studying with professional choreographers and experiencing the international perspective that shapes contemporary musical theater. Students explore diverse cultural approaches to movement and storytelling, broadening their artistic palette through exposure to British music hall traditions, contemporary European dance theater, and innovative cross-cultural collaborations. Back on campus, advanced students mentor younger cohorts while developing their signature choreographic style through increasingly complex creative projects. Professional preparation intensifies with workshops on grant writing, arts administration, and freelance career management. Industry guest artists provide masterclasses and networking opportunities, while students begin building professional portfolios that showcase their evolving expertise and unique artistic perspective.

Year Four – Springboard into the Profession

The senior year is characterized by both the Dance Seminar and the Capstone. Dance seminar is the first semester of a two-semester sequence for seniors in which students develop and implement a Capstone project across an academic year and focus on preparing to enter the profession. Through this faculty-mentored process, students will build on previous content knowledge and experiences to select and research a specific area of interest from the following: Choreography, Performance, Somatic Studies, Dance Education, Dance Studies, Community Project, or other areas of interest. The Capstone project serves as both a culminating academic experience and a professional calling card, with students creating substantial choreographic works that demonstrate mastery of musical theater choreography principles while showcasing their individual artistic voice. Students may choose to mount productions, develop innovative cross-disciplinary collaborations, or create community-engaged projects that extend dance and musical theater into broader social contexts. Professional seminars address the realities of working in the entertainment industry, covering topics such as union regulations, contract negotiation, networking strategies, and maintaining artistic integrity within commercial contexts. Students participate in mock auditions, pitch meetings, and portfolio reviews with industry professionals, gaining confidence and practical experience in self-presentation. Career pathways explored include Broadway and touring companies, regional theaters, cruise lines, theme parks, television and film, dance education, and entrepreneurial ventures in arts programming. Alumni mentorship connects graduating students with recent graduates working in diverse areas of the field, providing ongoing support and professional connections as students transition from academic study to professional practice.