Theatre and Dance

For information about the Theatre major, minor and courses offered, please refer to the Pomona College catalog.

Within the Dance major, there are two areas of emphasis: 

1. Performance Studies
2. Movement Studies

The Performance emphasis, which requires technique study at the advanced level, culminates in a senior choreography/performance project, while the Movement Studies emphasis culminates in a senior project/written thesis which may or may not involve performance. 

Although encouraged to take technique throughout their four years, Movement Studies concentrators are not required to perform at the advanced level of technique and are advised to combine their work in dance with other disciplines. The department also offers a minor in dance

The following courses are required for ALL MAJORS:

1. At least one full credit (or the equivalent) – Modern Dance Technique
2. At least one full credit (or the equivalent) – Ballet Technique
3. DANC 135 PO – Traditions of World Dance (or DANC 101 SC)
4. DANC 130 PO – Language of the Body (or DANC 103 SC)
5. DANC 140 PO – Composition I. Beginning Creative Movement Exploration (or DANC 159 SC or DANC 160 SC)
6. DANC 160 PO – Anatomy and Kinesiology  
7. DANC 192 PO – Senior Project

Courses taken to fulfill requirements for the major in Dance must be taken for a letter-grade.

Performance Emphasis – Additional Required Courses:

1. .5 CREDIT (OR THE EQUIVALENT) DANC 180 PO/PPO – Repertory – 2 Pieces; DANC 181 PO/PPO  – Repertory – 1 Piece
2. One course from the following:  THEA 020A PO – Theatre Crafts: Costumes, Scenery and Properties; THEA 020B PO – Theatre Crafts: Lighting and Sound; THEA 002 PO – The Dramatic Imagination 
3. MUS 057 PO – Survey of Western Music or MUS 065 PO – Introduction to World Music or other full–credit music course by permission (or MUS 110A SC / MUS 110B SC )
4. One full credit (or the equivalent) in non–western theatre or dance
5. Two production crew assignments

Movement Studies Emphasis – Additional Required Courses:

• THEA 001A PO – Basic Acting: Tools & Fundamentals or THEA 004 PO – Queer Theatre Activism
• One full credit (or the equivalent) in non-western music, theatre, or dance
• 1.5 course credits from among the following: DANC 165 PO – Somatic Movement Techniques; DANC 166 PO – Somatic Movement Techniques; DANC 170 PO – The Mind in Motion; DANC 175 PO  – Alexander Technique in Motion; DANC 176 PO/PPO – Alexander Technique in Motion (Or DANC 102 SC -Dynamics of Human Movement)
• Two production crew assignments or one crew assignment and one service/teaching project

• One full–credit (or the equivalent) Modern Dance Technique
• One full–credit (or the equivalent) Ballet Technique
• DANC 130 PO – Language of the Body or DANC 103 SC
• One full–credit (or the equivalent) Composition or Repertory
• Dance History (DANC 135 PO or DANC 159 SC)
• One additional full course (or the equivalent) in Theatre or Dance
• One production crew assignment