The Department of Theatre Arts, offers a Dance Major with a curriculum for students interested in exposure to the art of dance as a performer and identifying courses for students with professional goals as a performer, educator, critic, historian or seeking a minor as interdisciplinary study in the dance field. The curriculum is based on the foundation work of Mary Rose Reeves Allen in the Department of Physical Education in the College of Liberal Arts. Since 1991, the program has developed as a training component for the Theatre Arts Department in the Division of Fine Arts.

Guided by requirements of the National Association of Schools of Dance, the dance arts major is based on a 132-semester hour model (minimum) with approximately 55%-60% of the credit requirement in Dance and supportive courses. The curriculum is structured in a developmental profession from foundation to major, including twelve to fifteen semester hours of choreography and dance theory. The remaining courses reflect 15%-20% educational theory, methods, and practicum, and 25%-30% in general academic studies.

With the range of faculty background, guest artists and dance experience, the Dance Major offers a core of courses that provide a program of high creativity and academic potential for the aspiring dance artist/performer. The students are provided with course offerings that include African Dance classes, featuring the teaching and choreography of guest artists from the countries of Cameroon, Guinea, Liberia, and Senegal on the continent of Africa, Contemporary and Traditional Jazz, Tap, Katherine Dunham Technique, Martha Graham, Lester Horton Modern Dance Techniques, Ballet Techniques of Vaganova, Royal Academy of Ballet, Cechetti and theory courses in the discipline of dance and the technical application and development of the body.

Dance students have been given the opportunity to work with such legendary pioneering artist as Dr. Pearl E. Primus, who celebrated 50 years in Dance with a Lila Wallace Readers Digest grant awarded to Howard University.

In addition to the presence of Dr. Pearl E. Primus, legendary traditional jazz dance artist Pepsi Bethel, renowned modern dance choreographer/Dunham Technique master, Talley Beatty, and highly acclaimed contemporary choreographer, Kevin Jeff of Jubilation Dance Company have developed choreography for the concert of Howard University Dance Ensemble, the performance unit course of the Dance Major. Since the offering of the Howard University Dance Ensemble as a credit course for development on the professional stage, selected students have performed in concerts before sold out audiences that have included audiences giving high quality artistic comments of comparison to the Alvin Ailey second company.

As a pioneering university in the development of leadership, Howard University is proud of the guidance and direction towards high quality and standards being offered by the Department of Theatre Arts Dance Major Program. As noted in a review by Washington Post critic Pamela Squires, "...well trained American dancers at the Howard University Dance Concert...had stamina, precision and stage presence...their sophistication allowed the artist to expand his choreography and let his ideas flow...the students were both willing and able to negotiate the difference in the aesthetics of Senegalese African Dance."

Through grants, funding support from the Office of the President, H. Patrick Swygert, the Fine Arts Dean's Office, Department of Theatre Arts, and collaborations with major arts presenters, Howard University students, community and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area are exposed to concerts and master classes featuring such national/international artists, as Katherine Dunham, Garth Fagan, Rex Nettleford, Jawolle Willa Jo Zollar, Harold Pierson, Urban Bush Women, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Hector Cortez, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Nanette Bearden Dance Company, Donald McKayle, Donald Byrd, Milton Myers, Jewelle Gomez, Judith Jamison, Don Bellamey, Alvin Ailey Dance Company, Joe Goode Performance Group, Joe Nash, The American Dance Festival Project, Frank Chavez, Hubbard Street Dance Company, Carmen de Lavallade, Walter Nicks, Eleo Pomare, and Joan Myers Brown, Executive/Artistic Director, Philadelphia Dance Company.

In addition, six week training sessions are required for each student in professional environments including work with the host of guest artists, dance companies, national arts institutions, or an approved independent intense technical training program. The students are also required to experience the range of performance venues in the university and Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

The dance program offers financial assistance to selected students who are challenged with the opportunity to audition, train technically, develop in choreography with nationally renowned artists, and participate in performances with major dance companies. The technically qualified student is offered intensive studio training and performance skills for further development.

For further information contact: Dr. Sherrill Berryman-Johnson (202) 806-7052/7050.

Click here to see the Dance Program Photo Gallery.