About the Dance Program
The Dance Program at William and Mary emphasizes the creative process within a liberal arts setting. Many students study dance for the first time at William and Mary. Experienced students are able to enter classes at a variety of levels through the Dance Placement Evaluation offered during Fall orientation.
Students may choose to focus on choreography by minoring in Dance, create an Interdisciplinary Studies Major which incorporates dance, or study dance on an elective basis or to fulfill GER requirements. We offer courses in modern, ballet and jazz techniques, dance composition, history, and performance. Our students perform in many events including the annual Orchesis concerts, the Dance Minors Concert, Group Choreography showings, and Dance Composition showings.
There are two companies associated with the Dance Program:
- Orchesis provides an opportunity for students to develop their performing skills, participate in the choreographic process, and contribute to concert production and company leadership. Students earn credit for participation in Orchesis through Danc 321 and 322 (Performance Ensemble).
- Gravity Optional is the professional arm of the Dance Program. It is one of the ways faculty present their choreographic research in professional dance venues and selected students are invited to perform.
The faculty are active dance professionals, dedicated to providing the best possible learning experience for students at William and Mary. These professors choreograph, perform, and present workshops in a variety of settings. Their work is presented on campus and through professional venues. Guest artists come to the campus each year to perform and conduct master classes, giving students the opportunity to become acquainted with a variety of aesthetic approaches to technique and choreography.
