Dance
ARTISTIC EXPERIMENTATION AND CONTEMPORARY INQUIRY
The dance degree at the UW-Stevens Point 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 culturally relevant and historically grounded work, preparing students to communicate, contribute and lead as global citizen artists.
School of Performing Arts
WHY STUDY DANCE AT UW-STEVENS POINT?
At UW-Stevens Point you will have opportunities each year to perform in a variety of venues including Jenkins Theatre, our black box Studio Theatre and state-of-the-art spacious dance studios. Yearly performance opportunities include Afterimages, Danstage, Musical Theatre Productions and Master Classes with visiting artists.
DANCE MISSION
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.
Major Pairings
Dance pairs well with an array of programs to expand your career options. For example:
- Arts, Entertainment and Media Management
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Interior Architecture
- Art and Design
- Educaiton
- Business/Economics
- Drama
- Health Science/Health Promotion
- Biology
- World Languages
- Neurscience Behavior
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Internships in various arts capacities are also available. There are many opportunities to perform outside in the community including: summer ensembles, summer music venues, and area civic and professional performing groups.
GET INVOLVED ON CAMPUS
Players is a UWSP student organization seeking to provide a place for students to foster their creativity in not only theatre but writing, dance, poetry, and more!
Students also have the opportunity to participate in a number of fraternities, honorary societies, and clubs at UWSP. Visit the UW-Stevens Point Information Network (SPIN) for more information or to find a group, join an organization, sign up for an event, volunteer, get around campus, access campus resources – it is your hub for campus information!
COFAC Alumni
Whether you are a recent graduate or a longtime alum, you can make an important difference for today’s students in the College of Fine Arts and Communication. By volunteering to share your story, your network, your career advice, and your successes, you can help guide students through the start of their professional lives as they discover their purpose. You are a vital part of our Pointer family, and we look forward to hearing from you!
WHAT TO EXPECT
Students have opportunities to take classes, perform, or present research with:
- American College Dance Association (ACDA)
- National Dance Educators Organization (NDEO) conference
- Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR)
In addition, UW-Stevens Point has joined with Balanced Body Pilates to become an authorized training center, and offers the most well-known and innovative Pilates Teacher Training curriculum internationally, giving our students the tools required to begin a successful career as Pilates professionals. The integrated study of dance and Pilates provides additional learning opportunities that are stimulating, personal and rooted in the art and science of movement.
UW-Stevens Point dance faculty work with students to re-evaluate technique and explore new approaches to training at a high level. This re-evaluation includes training with optimal anatomical alignment that supports injury-free dancing. Students also develop the ability to work as a part of an ensemble, the ability to work openly and honestly with other dancers, the ability to be flexible in the artistic process with choreographers, directors, rehearsal assistants, and the ability to collaborate successfully with other artists and technicians.
Upon graduating, our students find career placement in positions including:
- Artistic Director
- Choreographer
- Cruise Line/Stage Performer
- Dance Movement Therapist
- Dance Studio Owner
- Pilates Instructor
- Dance Instructor
- Studio Owner
- Physical Therapist
dance major
Dance majors take a minimum of 48 credits to graduate. 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. You are also required to register for a practicum each of your first six semesters as a major. Practicum areas are scene shop, costume shop, deck run crew, costume run crew, house/public relations, design, directing/choreography/management, and performance. You may repeat an area after you have completed 6 different activities. This program is administered by the area of Dance in the School of Performing Arts.
DANCE MINOR
UWSP also offers a Dance Minor, consisting of 27 credits. This minor is administered by the area of Dance in the School of Performing Arts.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Admission to all Theatre and Dance programs (with the exception of Arts Management) is by audition/interview only. The Department of Theatre and Dance partners with Acceptd so you can view application, audition and interview detail, submit your application and materials online, and schedule the location and date of your audition/interview.
MEET YOUR FACULTY AND STAFF
UW-Stevens Point faculty members are accessible and happy to help majors get the most out of their educational experience. Our experienced faculty integrates acting, voice and movement into a rigorous professional training program. They have directed and performed nationally and internationally throughout their careers.
Meet the entire Theatre & Dance faculty and staff
Michael Estanich
- Department Chair – Theatre and Dance
- Professor – Dance
- [ More… ]
Pamela Luedtke
- Associate Lecturer – Dance
- Pilates Faculty and Training Center Co-Director
accreditation
national association of schools of dance
Founded in 1981, the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD) is an organization of schools, conservatories, colleges, and universities with approximately 84 accredited institutional members. It establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for dance and dance-related disciplines, and provides assistance to institutions and individuals engaged in artistic, scholarly, educational, and other dance-related endeavors. The College of Fine Arts and Communication at UW-Stevens Point is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance.
School of Performing Arts
Department of Theatre & Dance
UW-Stevens Point offers five theatre and dance degree tracks, including three highly competitive conservatory-styled BFA programs in Musical Theatre, Acting, and Design and Technology. In addition, we offer two liberal arts degrees: the BA Dance major and minor, with coursework in ballet, modern, jazz, tap and theoretical studies, and the BA Drama major, which allows students to study multiple focused areas such as playwriting, dramaturgy, directing, design, and acting. These excellent academic and production programs have established UW-Stevens Point as a primary undergraduate center in Wisconsin for students interested in the performing arts.
School of Performing Arts – Department of Theatre and Dance
College of Fine Arts and Communication
161 Noel Fine Arts Center, 1800 Portage Street
Stevens Point, WI 54481-3897
(715) 346-4429 | Fax: 715-346-4794
For ticket information: 715-346-4100
Email: theatre@uwsp.edu