Visit the Theatre and Dance Department Web Site
An Overview of Dance
- The Alma College dance program offers training in dance as a performance art in a liberal arts setting.
- Course offerings include ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, tap, choreography, dance history, theatrical production, dance experience, dance criticism, partnering, techniques of the male repertoire and creative movement for children.
- Alma’s Spring Term Dance Theatre Course offers trips to New York, London, Toronto and Russia, where students attend major theatrical and dance productions such as London’s West End, the Royal Ballet, the Bolshoi, the National Ballet of Canada and the New York City Ballet.
- Advanced students are encouraged to audition for entry into the Alma College Dance Company (ACDC).
- Senior students may direct and present a purely student-driven concert with department appoval.
- The Dance Department stresses the liberal arts philosophy. All students are provided with a carefully structured experience in dance. Thirty-six credits complete the dance major, with 24 credits fulfilling the minor program requirements.
- Dance courses are open to all Alma College students, regardless of their academic major. Technique classes benefit the beginner to the advanced student.
Performance Scholarships
Dance Performance Scholarships range from $1,000 to full tuition. To be considered, you need to apply for admission to Alma and arrange an audition with the theatre and dance department.
The Alma College Dance Company
ACDC features dancers who audition for the Company and perform three concerts a year. Class technique is combined with varied and extensive experience in production. Working closely with faculty and guest choreographers, you can experience a wide variety of dance ranging from classical to contemporary.
Ballet and modern dance are the focus of the Dance Company. The Company has the distinction of being one of the few colleges in the Midwest to produce some of the great pieces of classical ballet and reconstructions of world-renown contemporary dance.
Recent productions
- Soaring and Partita by Doris Humphrey
- Giselle
- The Nutcracker
- Pas de Quatre
- Paquita
- Swan Lake, Act II
- Les Sylphides
- “Motown”
- The Skaters
- Le Corsaire Pas de Deux
- Flower Festival at Genzano Pas de Deux
- Pas de Dix
- Aurora’s Wedding
Many original pieces by faculty, guest choreographers and student choreographers are also featured.
The Alma College Highland Dancers
The Alma College Highland Dancers bring Alma’s Scottish traditions to life. You can build Highland dance technique at both beginning and advanced levels and perform at numerous campus and community events.
Facilities
The Heritage Center for the Performing Arts, a state-of-the-art facility, provides a permanent home for dance and theatre, space for the College’s eight music ensembles plus speaking and recording capabilities. The Heritage Center features a dance studio for teaching and rehearsals, with performances in Presbyterian Hall.
For more intimate performances, the dance studio is transformed into the studio theatre. Fully equipped with lighting and sound, this alternative performing space is available to student choreographers and other guest performers.
Career Possibilities
Graduates of Alma’s dance program benefit from our high placement rate. Dance alumni have continued their education in graduate programs at:
- Central Michigan University
- Western Illinois University
- Columbia College in Chicago
- Temple University in Philadelphia
- University of Cincinnati
- University of Michigan
