DANCE, INTERDISCIPLINARY
FINE ARTS, MUSIC AND THEATRE
The Performing Arts Department offers majors in dance, interdisciplinary
fine arts, music, and theatre, and minors in dance, music, speech,
and theatre. A major in the performing arts offers the study
of the world and the parallel issues faced by all generations.
From the effect of societal values on women to the comic expressions
of human nature, both allow opportunity to examine current issues.
The performing arts offer a venue for the exploration of subjects
from all disciplines where students have a unique opportunity
to explore everything from the ancient to the unknown future,
from ethical dilemmas to cultural conundrums, from politics to
polemics. All performing arts majors are offered a varied curriculum
allowing the student to choose a focused approach in one or more
areas such as performance, design, therapy, education, business
or religion. Numerous opportunities to perform and observe performances
are available for all students through play productions, four
choirs, and two major dance concerts per year. Additionally,
the department offers a theatre tour to the public schools in
alternate years and appearances by the Cedar Crest Singers and
the Madrigal Singers in off-campus performances at local churches
and clubs. Applied music lessons in piano, voice, organ, woodwinds
and brass, violin and viola, flute, classical and folk guitar,
and percussion are offered to students from any major.
The performance facilities include Tompkins College Center
Theatre with a 250-seat proscenium theatre with a state of the
art computer lighting system and fully equipped costume and scene
shops. Major theatre productions and dance events are staged
here. Additionally, a 500-seat auditorium in Alumnae Hall hosts
major music events, and the Little Theatre, seating 75, hosts
student productions and smaller departmental events in music,
dance and theatre. An outdoor Greek-style theatre is also used
occasionally for special events.
Students majoring in dance may elect concentrations in dance
therapy, education, dance administration, or general studies.
A core of courses is required of all dance majors. The dance
program provides multiple perspectives and experiences for understanding
dance movement techniques and somatics as mediums for the acquisition
of knowledge, creativity and lifelong learning.
The interdisciplinary fine arts major is for those students
interested in career possibilities such as, but not limited to,
criticism, museum work, radio-television programming, fine arts
librarianship education, consulting newspaper or periodical writing,
teaching, and editing. The integrated approach to art, theatre,
speech, dance, music and creative writing provides in-depth specialization
in combination with the general knowledge in related arts areas.
Each student is expected to reflect coherence in her course selection.
Continual advising and evaluating is essential to success in
this program. The course work reflects a balance of creative
and historical/critical experiences.
Students majoring in music are required to complete a core
of courses and select a concentration from vocal performance,
business, music therapy, or religious studies. Career-oriented
programs such as preparation for graduate work, church music,
private teaching in applied music and combining music with elementary
education or fine arts are encouraged.
The theatre program revolves heavily around the extensive
production season, and students majoring in theatre are expected
to participate in all productions each term, either onstage or
backstage in some capacity: on stage crew, cast, box office, scene
shop, costume construction crews, or stage management. Students
may select from concentrations in performance, design and technical
theatre, or business. A core of courses is required of all theatre
majors.
Campus work-study jobs nicely complement the work in the department
as students can receive hands on production and management training
in theatre, dance and music as part of their work-study requirements.
All departmental majors are obliged to abide by the written
departmental policies. A grade of "C" or better is required
in all courses taken for application toward all major requirements
in the performing arts.
THE CLASSES
Dance offerings at Cedar Crest range from beginning levels
to advanced in the areas of ballet, jazz, modern and tap. Students
from any major may register for technique courses in dance without
an audition. The prerequisites for upper level dance courses are
listed in the college catalog. Classes are held in the Steinbright
dance studio and tap classes are held on the stage in Alumnae
Auditorium.
THE COMPANY
The Cedar Crest Dance Company is under the direction of Carol
Welton Kelly. Each fall all interested dancers, regardless of
major, may audition for the company. Company members of previous
years are required to re-audition for membership each year if
they wish to remain with the company. The company consists of
10-15 dancers. Master classes are offered to the company in addition
to their Monday through Thursday 4-6pm rehearsal schedule. Members
may be selected for full company membership or apprentice status.
THE CONCERTS
Two dance concerts are held annually as a showcase for student
and faculty works. Guest artists are often invited to perform
for the concert. Both concerts are held in Tompkins Center Theatre.
To find out more about Cedar Crest Dance, click on
any of the topics below.
Dance Mission
& Philosophy
Dance Major
Dance Requirements
Dance Courses
Dance Performance
Opportunities
Dance Company