Dance Training

Welcome from the Dance Division Director

ANDREA SHEARER

Welcome and thank you for your interest in Dance at Kent State University. We hope you find the information provided in this website useful. Contact us directly if we can be of further assistance in answering your questions.  The Dance Division is focused in modern dance and is housed administratively in the School of Theatre and Dance.  Majors pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in either Dance Performance or Dance Education (Pre-K through Adult licensure).  All dance majors receive strong support in dance composition, ballet and jazz. Our students are also required to take a variety of dance academics, theatre courses and, of course, the liberal education courses.

We have a fine faculty of talented professionals who are committed to producing the highest caliber of dancers. In addition, we have a rotating artist-in-residence position. This allows students the opportunity to work with artists in the professional dance world. Master classes and company  residencies are offered as   opportunities arise.

Numerous performing and choreographic opportunities give our students valuable stage experience and the Kent Dance Ensemble, our touring repertory company, performs in area schools as well as presenting their own concert each year.

All prospective majors and minors must audition for acceptance into the program. Students are allowed to audition on a first to register basis, with the audition being closed when registration slots on a particular date are filled.  Registration forms must be received by the Dance Division at least two weeks prior to the audition. This ensures an audition atmosphere that will enable faculty to fairly assess your talents. Prospective dance majors must make an appointment with the Dance Division Director before the date of their audition - call (330) 672-2069 or email ashearer@kent.edu.

Merit scholarships are available in dance through the Honors College at Kent. These Creative Artist Awards are for talented high school seniors with high academic grade point averages and test scores who plan to enter Kent as freshmen. Prospective scholars must be recommended by their high school guidance counselors and may be assessed during any of the scheduled audition dates in their senior year of high school. For more information please contact the Honors College at (330) 672-2312.

We realize how important it is to find a program that is best for you. If you would like to observe, take a class or talk with the Dance Division Director more fully about our program, contact Andrea Shearer at (330) 672-2069.

B.F.A. IN DANCE

(PERFORMANCE or DANCE EDUCATION)

There are two B.F.A. degrees offered in the modern dance program at Kent:  Dance Performance or Dance Education (leading to Pre-K through Adult licensure).  Technique classes in modern dance, jazz and ballet are strongly supported by courses in composition, dance theory, dance history and movement sciences.  Additional coursework in theatre augments the performance aspects of this major.  Auditions for acceptance to the major and minor are held during the fall and spring semesters.  Contact the Dance Division Director Andrea Shearer at (330) 672-2069 or ashearer@kent.edu for specific audition requirements.