School of Performing and Visual Arts
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PERFORMANCE FOUNDATIONS REPERTORY DANCE COMPANY ACDA
Performance Foundations
What is Performance Foundations?
Performance Foundations, DAN 220, is a class taken in a dance major’s first semester. It is a course that integrates theory and practice of performance to support critical and creative development as a dance artist. This course culminates in the creation of a group dance work to be performed in a concert at the end of the semester. At the completion of this course students have a better understanding of the creative process and program expectations for professionalism.Repertory Dance Company
What is the Repertory Dance Company?
The Repertory Dance Company (RDC) was established to provide performing opportunities for dance majors and to promote excellence in dance performance for our students. As company members, students gain experience in the protocol and standards of professional concert dance helping them prepare for careers in the field.
RDC provides an opportunity for dance majors to gain valuable performance experience and to become further prepared for professional careers in dance.
- RDC assessment standards are built on the rigorous expectations of the professional field in the areas of skills, knowledge and dispositions (professionalism) required;
- RDC performs in all major departmental concerts and works with faculty, student, and guest choreographers;
- All declared University dance majors (except for first-semester students) are required to audition for the company each semester.
All dance majors are eligible to audition for RDC beginning in the second semester of study as a dance major. However, students must maintain an unweighted 2.5 GPA in dance courses in the previous semester.
Auditions for RDC are held during the first week of the fall semester and last week of the fall semester (for spring enrollment). They are led by the RDC Director.
- All eligible dance majors are required to attend. We suggest arriving early to warm-up and sign-in, and to dress in proper dance attire with hair pulled out of face.
- The auditions includes performance of phrases highlighting physical awareness and control, recall and memorization, technical skill/execution, and professionalism.
- The company list is posted on the same evening as auditions. Dance majors may be accepted as full company members or as apprentices. The same high expectations are maintained for both.
- Company members are expected to meet with the RDC director to discuss the full expectations of company. This typically happens in a group meeting scheduled by the RDC director. Dancers who do not make company may sign up for a time to meet with the RDC director to discuss ways to improve in future auditions.
If you are eligible to audition for RDC in the spring, you will either be cast in RDC or Repertory Dance Company II (RDC II). This course includes learning, collaborating, and performing in faculty or junior/senior dance major choreographic works. The dancers must attend rehearsals and maintain professionalism. Some works are featured in the Student Showcase Concert in the spring semester, and/or other venues.
Other Opportunities
American College Dance Association (ACDA)
The USM dance program regularly attends ACDA. During the conference, students meet other dancers, take master classes, attend dance concerts featuring other college students and professional dancers/companies, etc.- The dance faculty chooses up to three choreographic works to represent the dance program.
- Two of a possible three works may be in the adjudicated concerts, where we can have one faculty/guest work and one student work OR two student works. The adjudicated works receive feedback from three dance professionals. The dance faculty may also choose one choreographic work for an informal concert. This work can be choreographed by a student or a faculty member.
Additional Festivals/Conferences USM Dance Attends on a semi-regular basis:
- The International Association of Blacks in Dance Annual International Conference and Festival (variable locations)
- Alabama Dance Festival (Birmingham, AL)