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Thomas Morris

Thomas Morris

Associate Professor of Theatre and Dance
Joined Alma College Faculty in 1992
Heritage Center
(989) 463-7141
Office Hours: M-TH 2:30-3:30 or by appointment
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morris@alma.edu

Thomas Morris, Associate Professor of Dance at Alma College, holds a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from The University of Michigan. For fifteen summers, he served as a faculty member of the world renown Interlochen Arts Camp and most recently also with the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive in Detroit and Austin, Texas.

Mr. Morris' performing credits include the Cincinnati Ballet, Garden State Ballet and Ballet West in Salt Lake City as a principal dancer. He has performed leading roles by contemporary choreographers such as Balanchine and Ashton, as well as principal roles in a majority of the great classical ballets. During his performing career he was privileged to work with such dance luminaries as Toni Lander, Bruce Marks, Alexandra Danilova, Ruth Page, Frederic Franklin, Leon Danielian and Patricia Wilde.

Teaching credits include Alma College, Lansing Community College, The University of Michigan, Interlochen Arts Camp and guest teaching across the United States. Mr. Morris has choreographed/staged works for the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive, Alma College Dance Company, the University of Georgia, he Interlochen Arts Camp, the Interlochen Dance Ensemble, The University of Michigan, Lansing Community College, Danscape of Midland, MI, and various other venues. His choreographic accomplishments include stagings of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Act II, Les Sylphides, Paquita, Coppelia and Giselle for the Alma College Dance Company and Pas de Quatre for the Interlochen Dance Ensemble, as well as many original works. He has been the recipient of several grants and awards.

Education

  • M.F.A., The University of Michigan
  • B.A., Michigan State University

Research Interests

Reconstruction and restaging of historically important balletic works

Recent Courses Taught

  • Independent Studies.  THD 151T.
  • Senior Thesis.  THD 500.
  • Independent Study - Dance History II.  THD 351.
  • Social Dance.  THD 141.
  • Partnering.  THD 211.
  • Alma College Dance Company.  THD 151.
  • Ballet II.  THD 244.
  • Ballet III.  THD 344.
  • Dance History II.  THD 351.
  • Ballet I.  THD 144.
  • Dance History I.  THD 350.
  • Alma College Dance Company.  THD 151.

Directed Student Presentations and Achievements

Selected Creative Works

Recent Presentations

Professional Memberships

Service to the College

Service to the Community

  • Children's Preview Concert - ACDC Concert
  • Senior Citizens Preview Concert - ACDC Concert
  • Senior Citizen Preview Concert - ACDC
  • Children's Preview Concert
  • Children's Preview Concert
  • Dance Fest at Alma College
  • See More...

Service to the Profession

 

 

Alma College received a $150,000 grant from the National Science Foundation in August 2009 for research that could eventually lead to the development of more effective drugs to treat and prevent certain kinds of influenza, including human infections of swine and avian flu. "This project provides an opportunity for students to get involved in important laboratory research," says faculty member Jeff Turk, principal investigator.

 

Student Profile

Natividad Salgado
Graduation: 2012
Major: Theatre and Dance

Michigan’s fall and winter weather might annoy some, but it brought Natividad Salgado to Alma from Miami. That, and the chance to study theatre.

“In the Theatre Program at Alma I have the opportunity to try all different aspects of theatre,” the junior says. “It’s very flexible — if you want to act and take a lighting design class, you are able to.”