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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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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 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 leading dancer. He has performed principal 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, Mercyhurst College, 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

  • Ballet III.  THD 344.
  • Partnering.  THD 211.
  • Social Dance.  THD 141.
  • Ballet II.  THD 244.
  • Independent Study - Dance History I.  THD 350.

Directed Student Presentations and Achievements

Selected Creative Works

  • Thomas Morris - choreographer.  "Trois Gymnopedies."  Alma College Dance Company Spring Concert.  Heritage Center, Alma College, Alma, MI.  Mar. 2009.
  • Thomas Morris - choreographer.  "Trois Gnossiennes."  Alma College Dance Company Spring Concert.  Heritage Center, Alma College, Alma, MI.  Mar. 2009.
  • Thomas Morris - choreographer.  "Vespri Siciliani."  Alma College Dance Company Spring Concert.  Heritage Center, Alma College, Alma, MI.  Mar. 2009.
  • Thomas Morris - stager.  "Mazurka and Czardas from Coppelia."  Alma College Dance Company Fall Concert.  Alma College.  Nov. 2008.
  • Thomas Morris - choreographer.  "Serenade for Strings."  Alma College Dance Company Fall Concert.  Heritage Center, Alma College, Alma, MI.  2009, Nov.
  • Thomas Morris - choreographer.  "Brahms Interlude."  Mercyhurst College.  Erie, PA.  2008 March.
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Recent Presentations

Professional Memberships

Service to the College

Service to the Community

  • Senior Citizens Preview Concert - ACDC Concert
  • Children's Preview Concert - ACDC Concert
  • Children's Preview Concert - ACDC Concert
  • Senior Citizens Preview Concert - ACDC Concert
  • Senior Citizen Preview Concert - ACDC
  • Children's Preview Concert
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Service to the Profession

 

In the nearly 125 years since its founding, Alma has stayed true to its roots by keeping its Scottish heritage alive. Today, Alma features a marching band clad in kilts, a Scottish dance troupe, student pipers and its own tartan. Each year, the College hosts the Alma Highland Festival and Games, which feature traditional Scottish games and revelry.

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Student Profile

Elizabeth Heitsch

Elizabeth Heitsch
Graduation: 2008
Major: History
From: St. Louis, Michigan
Interests: Reading, Music

You do not have to know a foreign language to study internationally, but for the languages offered at Alma there are six sites to hone your language skills. Alma has partnered with universities across the globe to provide students and faculty with the best in study and research opportunities abroad in 12 countries.

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