Associate Professor Alice E. Trexler, Director of dance studies
Associate Professor David Locke (Music), West African dance
Lecturer Daniel McCusker, Dance technique and repertory
Half-time Lynn Frederiksen, Modern dance
Part-time Lecturer Gretchen Hayden, North Indian classical dance
The Department of Drama and Dance offers dance courses that are appropriate
for the general student body and for those with dance
experience. The objectives of this nonconservatory program are to expose
students to basic concepts of human movement, to foster the
development of creative resources and techniques, to introduce
performance analysis, and to contextualize dance as an element of
culture. This liberal arts approach encourages
students to create integrative links with other
disciplines. Students may elect an all-dance
version of the departmental minor (See Drama), and
dance courses may be used toward the
drama major or the combined drama-dance minor. Dance performances
choreographed by faculty and students are presented in the Jackson Dance
Lab and other spaces on campus each semester. More
information about dance may be obtained at the
department office or at
www.ase.tufts.edu/drama-dance/dance.
Studio Courses
11 Introduction to Physical Theatre. (Cross-listed as Drama 11.) Collaborations and creative projects in sound and movement, translations from other media, mask, and development of eccentric characters. Work placed in theatrical context through readings, viewings, and writing to create expanded views of performance for novice and experienced performers. Trexler
51 Dance Movement and Creative Process. Vigorous non-level movement, group processes, and creative problem-solving, culminating in ensemble jamming. World dance videos provide a context for nonstylized materials. No prerequisite. One-half or one course credit. Trexler
53 Beginning Modern Dance. Development of alignment techniques, selected vocabulary, and short combinations with emphasis on musicality and group dynamics. Creative problem-solving and analysis of performance. No prerequisite. One-half course credit. Frederiksen
55 Intermediate Studio Dance. Intermediate or lower modern techniques, adapted for those with basic training in a movement discipline such as modern, ballet, jazz, or another cultural form. Coaching of performance qualities such as musicality and group dynamics. Creative opportunities and appreciation of performance. One-half course credit. Frederiksen
57 Advanced Dance Technique. For students with substantial dance training in modern and/or ballet. Modern-oriented technique, combinations, and creative studies. Aesthetic context addressed in additional assignments. May be repeated. Prerequisite: consent. One-half course credit. McCusker
61 West African Ewe Dances. Traditional dances of the Ewe people of West Africa (Ghana). Styles range from dances with vigorous torso movements to those with graceful arching gestures of the arms. Songs and drumming included. Ending performance with the African music ensemble under the performing name Kiniwe. Fall. One-half course credit. Locke
62 West African Dagomba Dances. Traditional dances of the Dagomba people of West Africa (Ghana). Styles range from dances with graceful twirling to those with vigorous hip shimmying. Costumes from Africa provided. Songs and drumming included. Ending performance with the African music ensemble under the performing name Kiniwe. Spring. One-half course credit. Locke
63 Kathak Dance. Introduction to this classical dance-theatre of North India. Basic movements, footwork patterns, spins, rhythms, and abhinaya (story-telling). Cultural context and historical background interwoven. For complete novices and those with some experience. Hayden
68 Performance Ensemble. Development of a performance work through faculty direction or ensemble collaboration led by a faculty member. Creation, performance, video documentation, and analysis of form and content in aesthetic context. May be repeated. Prerequisite: studio dance or Drama 10, or consent. One-half course credit. Dance faculty
70 Viewing African-American Dance: Perspectives from Art and Science. (Cross-listed as American Studies 13.) Introduction to African-American concert dance in its aesthetic and historical context. Influence of biological determinism, race, and racism on the critical response to dance. Choreographers and companies include Dunham, Ailey, Jones, Dance Theater of Harlem. Trexler and Chew
91, 92 Special Topics. Guided independent study of an approved topic or courses in areas such as ballet, jazz, ethnic, and social dance. Credit as arranged. Prerequisite: consent. Dance faculty
117 Studies in Dance Composition. Completion of varied composition assignments representing twentieth-century methods. Includes aesthetic context, weekly lab work, and analysis. Culminates in performance. Prerequisite: Dance 51 or consent. One-half or one course credit. Trexler, McCusker