Department requirements

Dance
Program
Major
Minor
Courses

Drama
Major-BA/BS
Major-BFA
Minor
Musical theatre
Courses

Theatre and Dance
(College of Fine Arts and Communication)
Gary Olsen, Chair
Room 161, Noel Fine Arts Center
Phone: 715-346-4429
E-mail: theatre@uwsp.edu
Web: www.uwsp.edu/theatre-dance

Faculty: M Crider, W Dolan, M Estanich, J Hill, T Howard, J Karlen, P Luedtke, T Marchant, R Nelson, G Olsen, SG Sherwin, SH Sherwin, S Trovillion Smith, J Stephens, J Strassburg.

Definition, Theatre: Incorporating elements of all the other fine arts, dramatic art (theatre) is a study of human action and interaction designed to enlighten and/or entertain an audience through theatrical presentation.

Definition, Dance: Dance is the study of human movement as a means of expression through the development of performance and choreography skills, separately and in relation to the other arts. 

About the Department
Recognized as one of the premiere undergraduate theatre and dance departments in the upper Midwest, our department programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre and the National Association of Schools of Dance.

Program Options
You may pursue either the bachelor of arts (BA) or bachelor of science (BS) degree in theatre arts with an option in drama or the bachelor of arts (BA) or bachelor of science (BS) degree in dance.

If you seek more specialized education in theatre, you may pursue the bachelor of fine arts (BFA) in theatre arts with options in drama or musical theatre. The BFA drama option has specializations in acting and design/technology.

Minors are available in dance and drama. There is no musical theatre minor.

Academic Standards
To be retained as a major or minor in any of the theatre arts options and to be approved for graduation, you must have a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in all courses taken within the major or minor, including transfer courses, regardless of any declaration of academic bankruptcy.  You may repeat a course in the major or minor if you follow the course repeat policy found in the Academic Information section of this catalog.

Credit-by-Exam Policy
The Theatre and Dance Department offers credit-by-exam for specific courses. If you wish to take the test-out exam, contact the department chair to arrange an exam with the appropriate faculty member. If credit is granted, results will be forwarded to Registration and Records.

Transferring Credits
You may apply transfer credits to the major or minor with the approval of the department chair.

Annual Meetings
As a theatre and dance major or minor, you are expected to attend the departmental meeting held at the beginning of the fall semester.

Advising
Theatre and dance majors are assigned a faculty advisor whose specialty matches their area of study. The dance faculty group advises all first and second year dance majors and minors. Thereafter, dancers are assigned an individual faculty advisor. BA, BS, or BFA theatre majors are advised by the program coordinator or other faculty in their major. Drama minors are advised by the department chair.

Course Fees
Fees are charged in certain courses to cover the cost of materials.

Scholarships
The department has a number of scholarships available for entering students in dance, drama, acting, design/technology, and musical theatre. They are awarded based on theatre and dance admission auditions and interviews. Contact the department Web site or theatre and dance office for information about annual scholarship auditions. Scholarships are also available for continuing students.

DANCE
Joan Karlen, Dance Program Coordinator
Room 140, Noel Fine Arts Center
Phone: 715-346-3982
E-mail: dance@uwsp.edu
Web: www.uwsp.edu/theatre-dance/dance

About the dance program
UWSP's dance program aspires to create a dynamic culture in which students are inspired to achieve full physical expression, technical and stylistic range, and anatomical efficiency. We are dedicated to artistic experimentation and contemporary inquiry that is culturally relevant and historically grounded, preparing students to communicate, contribute and lead as global citizen artists.

The dance program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance. Our curriculum features ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and theatre dance technique classes, dance composition, history movement analysis and dance education courses. Dance majors complete 48 credits including the senior-level Interdisciplinary Seminar, a course that features camera dance and digital video editing, and integrates dance with other academic disciplines and art forms. After completing the core requirements, you may take selected performance classes for either two or three credits. We encourage you to pursue an additional major or minor in another field. Dance minors complete 27 credits.

The dance faculty works with you to re-evaluate technique and explore new approaches to training at a high level. This e-evaluation includes training with optimal anatomical alignment that supports injury-free dancing.

You also develop the ability to work as a part of an ensemble, the ability to work openly and honestly with other dancers, and the ability to be flexible in he artistic process with choreographers, directors, and rehearsal assistance. Therefore, we begin all new students in our 100-level major technique courses.

We recommended that you be accepted to UWSP prior to the dance audition dates in February and March. There are a few seats available each semester for non-dance majors and minors in introductory level classes. Upper-level dance courses are not available to non-majors and minors. All dance majors and minors participate in required practicum assignments.

If you're interested in being accepted into the dance major, you are required to complete an on-campus audition and interview.

As part of the audition, you are required to perform a one-minute solo that highlights your performance skills. You or someone else may choreograph this solo. You should provide any sound accompaniment in CD format. Please prepare to stay within the one-minute time limit. The solo may be excerpted and the music cut from an existing longer work, or you may prepare a solo that is intended as a one-minute dance.

Letters of recommendation should address your ability to be successful in a university-level dance program. We recommend that one letter be written by an academic teacher who can comment on your ability to be successful in your academic coursework, and the other be written by a primary dance teacher who can comment on your ability and potential in dance.

As a student in our program, you will develop the ability to work as a part of an ensemble, the ability to work openly and honestly with other dancers, and the ability to be flexible in the artistic process with choreographers, directors, rehearsal assistants and peers. Therefore, we do begin all our new students in our 100-level technique courses.

NOTE: We recommend that dance majors complete two core classes per semester and we encourage participation in summer dance workshops to enhance performance training and expand professional contacts.

Admission, scholarship, retention requirements

1. Admission into the dance program does not guarantee admission into the university. To audition, you must first be eligible for admission to UWSP.

2. To be eligible for admission to UWSP's dance program as a major or minor, you must successfully complete an on-campus performance audition and interview during the spring semester. Detailed program and audition information, including audition dates and protocol, application forms and scholarship information is available on our website.

3. The dance program awards three $1000 scholarship to first year students pursuing a dance major. These scholarships are based on ability and potential in dance. A variety of performance scholarships are awarded annually to continuing students.

4. To continue as a major or minor, you must meet the dance program’s retention criteria and successfully complete mid-semester assessments in your technique courses each semester.

Performance and choreography
Each year the dance program provides multiple opportunities for you to perform and choreograph including Afterimages, a student directed fall concert; Danstage, a spring concert featuring new choreography by faculty and guests; Players, a theatre and dance student organization; repertory projects; composition course showings; camera dance projects; and all main stage and studio musical and dramatic shows.

Employment opportunities
The interdisciplinary focus of our dance program trains you to be innovative in creating and finding employment opportunities. Recent graduates perform on Broadway; with national and internatonal dance companies; and in television, commercials and film. Others become dance videographers, form direct dance companies, open private studios, and develop dance and related arts programs for school districts.

Courses for general university students
Dance 103, 105, 115, and 114 are introductory courses open to all university students.  You may apply one credit of each of these approved performance courses toward the wellness/aerobic activity general degree requirement.

Dance courses for the community
Those outside the university who wish to enroll in selected dance courses must first contact the UWSP Admissions Office to determine eligibility to enroll as a special student. Technical placement and permission of the dance faculty are also required.

Dance Major (BA/BS)
Consists of 48 credits.

1. Core, 22 credits:

1. Dance 104, 106.

2. Three credits from Dance 205, 206, 305, 306 (placement exam required for entrance).

3. Six credits of Dance 214 and 314.

4. Seven credits of Dance 115, 212, and 215. 

    NOTE: We recommend that if you are interested in continuing your dance technique studies, you should take two core classes per semester and participate in summer dance workshops.

2. Theory, 10 credits: Dance 220, 328, 352, 420.

3. Performance and choreography, 9 credits: Dance 301, 302 and one course from Theatre 242, 243, 346, 349.

4. Interdisciplinary seminar: Dance 496.

5. Electives: 4 credits from Dance 203, 204, 303, 304.

6. Practicum: See description above.

Dance Minor
Consists of 27 credits.

1. Theoretical studies, 6 credits: Dance 220, 352.

2. Performance and choreography, 13 credits: Dance 104, 106, 115. 212 and 301.

3. Electives: 8 credits from Dance 203, 204, 205, 206, 212, 214, 215, 303, 304, 305, 306, 314, or 420.

4. Practicum:  See description above.

DRAMA
Jeffrey Stephens, Coordinator

Drama Option of Theatre Arts Major (BA/BS)
Choose this option if you wish to gain general knowledge in a variety of theatre courses: acting, design, directing, theatre history, and dramatic literature, but also wish to take selected specialized courses in one theatre area that interests you.

Admission Policy 
To major in the BA/BS drama option, you must be admitted to the university and the drama program. Admission to the drama program is by application, essay and interview. Interviews are held in the spring for fall acceptance and we recommend that you be officially admitted to UWSP before your assigned interview date. If you are a high school student, you should apply to the department in the fall of your senior year. If you are a transfer student or continuing UWSP student, you must also apply. Contact the Department of Theatre and Dance for more information.

Curricular Requirements (Drama BA/BS)
Consists of 44 credits.

1. General courses: Theatre 146, 149 or 172, 160 or 170, 162, 375; one course from Dance 103, 105, 112, 114, or 212.

2. History: Theatre 351, 352, 452.

3. Structured electives: 9 credits from: Theatre 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 248, 327, 346, 490.

4. Electives: 9 credits approved by advisor. Up to 3 elective credits may be from Theatre 226-426.

5. Practicum:  See description above.

Drama Option of Theatre Arts Major (B.F.A.)
Choose this option if you wish to pursue intensive training in either acting or design/technology in order to become a theatre professional in your chosen area of interest.

ACTING 
Stephen Trovillion Smith, Coordinator

Admission audition required:  Admission to the BFA acting program is by audition only. Auditions are held in the spring for fall acceptance. We recommend that you be officially admitted to UWSP before your assigned audition date. Apply early since the number of students accepted into the program is limited. If you are a transfer student and wish to enter the acting program, you should audition before transferring to UWSP. Contact the Department of Theatre and Dance for more information.

Retention in the program: Every BFA acting major will meet with the area coordinator at the end of each semester for a comprehensive evaluation of classroom and performance work. If you do not demonstrate satisfactory progress or do not adhere to the retention standards established by the department, you may be placed on departmental probation or dropped from the major.

Required auditions: BFA acting majors must audition for all faculty-directed mainstage and studio theatre productions and accept roles as assigned.

Curricular Requirements (Drama BFA)
Consists of 78 credits. 

Acting

1. General Courses:  Theatre 146, 162, 244, 375, 380; Dance 212.

2. Acting: Theatre 170, 172, 282, 381, 384, 481, 482.

3. Movement: Theatre 165, 166.

4. Stage Combat:  Theatre 382.          

5. Voice:  Theatre 232, 233, 332.

6. Theatre History:  Theatre 351, 352, 452.

7. Electives:  13 credits approved by your advisor. Up to 3 elective credits may be from Theatre 226-426.

8. Practicum: See description above.

DESIGN/TECHNOLOGY
Stephen G. Sherwin, Coordinator

Admission interview required: Admission to the design and technology program is by audition interview. Interviews are held in the spring for fall acceptance and we recommend that you be officially admitted to UWSP before your assigned interview date. Apply early since the number of students accepted into the program is limited. If you are a transfer student and wish to enter the design/technology program, you should interview before transferring to UWSP.  Contact the Department of Theatre and Dance for more information.

Retention in the program: You will be formally reviewed each semester. If you do not demonstrate satisfactory progress or do not adhere to the retention standards established by the department, you may be placed on departmental probation or dropped from the major.

Curricular Requirements (Drama BFA)
Consists of 78 credits.

Design/Technology

1. General courses:  Theatre 146, 160, 162, 375.

2. Design/Tech required:  Theatre 149, 241, 242, 243, 244, 345, 347, 445, 448, 497.

3. Design/Tech structured electives: (15 credits from):  Theatre 245, 248, 341, 342, 343, 346, 348, 349, 399, 446, 449, 492.

4. History:  Theatre 351, 352, 452.

5. Electives:  12 credits approved by your advisor. Up to 3 elective credits may be from Theatre 226-426.

6. Practicum: See description above.

Consists of 24 credits:

1. General courses:  Theatre 146, 160 or 170, 162.

2. History:   6 credits from Theatre 351, 352, 452.

3. Electives:   9 credits approved by advisor. . Up to 2 elective credits may be from Theatre 226-426.

4. Practicum:  See description above.