Production Opportunities

 As part of the Department of Theatre & Performance, Orchesis dance company has presented high-quality performances since 1941 at William & Mary and seeks to bring innovative and exciting concerts of student and faculty choreography to the community. Orchesis provides an opportunity for students to develop their performing skills, participate in choreographic research, and contribute to concert production and company leadership.

By being a part of the company, committed dancers at William & Mary have the opportunity to receive further education and contribute to original dance performance research. Orchesis is directed by Dance faculty with student leaders supporting company cohesion, emphasizing the importance of communication and collaboration within the company. 

Every year, Orchesis performs DANCEVENT, a concert of faculty choreography, in the fall, and An Evening of Dance, a student-choreographed concert mentored by faculty, in the spring. Both concerts are Season shows produced by the Department of Theatre & Performance.

Auditions for Orchesis take place during the first week of the fall semester. Successful auditionees enroll in Dance Performance Research to receive credit for their work in the company.

Make sure to follow Orchesis on Instagram: @orchesisdancewm

 Students have opportunities to participate in  the Dance Minors Concert in the Spring, Group Choreography showings in the Fall, and Dance Composition showings at the end of each semester.  These opportunities are announced in classes and do not require an audition.

Department Participation Policy
All William & Mary students are eligible for participation in William & Mary Theatre and Dance productions. In assigning roles and production positions, our intention is to find the person best able to handle the responsibility given the artistic and educational objectives of our program. We are committed to inclusive, diverse casting that challenges practices of type-casting while still honoring the action of the play or the artistic vision of its creator or director.

All productions are cast from auditions which are open to freshmen through seniors, majors and non-majors. Keeping in mind that our priority is to provide learning opportunities to undergraduates and particularly majors and minors, we may also consider graduate students, unclassified students, faculty and staff for participation in Theatre and Dance productions. Guest artists may occasionally be invited to take part when their presence furthers the goals of the production and provides an educational opportunity for the students involved.