Dance, Film, and Theater, School of

Dance, Film, and Theater, School of
College of Fine Arts
Phone: 740.593.1828
Fax: 740.593.0749
mcadood@ohio.edu
http://www.ohio.edu/finearts

Dance: Putnam Hall, 740.593.1828
Film: 31 S Court St, 740.593.1323
Theater: Kantner Hall, 740.593.4818

Madeleine Scott, Founding Director

Overview

The School of Dance, Film, and Theater currently offers undergraduate degrees in Dance and Theater and graduate degrees in Film and Theater. The School provides a center for creative expression and scholarly exploration in the dance, film, and theater arts. Merged in 2013, the School of Dance, Film, and Theater supports collaboration, diversity, and critical thinking in an environment that fosters interdisciplinarity and excellence.

Dance

Madeleine Scott, Chair

Our four-year training program offers two major degree options and three minor degree options: the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree, the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree, and minors in dance performance and choreography, dance history, and somatic studies. The B.F.A. degree program is a four-year preprofessional specialization degree within the liberal arts setting of Ohio University. It prepares the individual for future work in the field of dance and related professions by encouraging the realization of individual artistic potential through the integration of creative, physical, and intellectual processes. It emphasizes modern dance choreography and performance and includes theoretical, historical, and practical studies in dance. The B.A. degree is a program of dance studies that develops dance skills necessary to performance and facility in the application of principles and procedures that reflect an intellectual grasp of the art. It presents a strong potential for interdisciplinary studies in the areas of biological sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, humanities, and world cultures, and it is for individuals who seek a broad program of general education in the undergraduate years.

We provide the general university student with studies in the practice, history, and aesthetics of dance. Through presentation of high-quality performances, we contribute to the cultural environment of the university, community, and region. Performances of student and faculty choreography are given regularly in the Shirley Wimmer Dance Theatre and a variety of other theatrical spaces. Workshop performances, internships, and College of Fine Arts performance projects offer additional performance opportunities.

A visiting artist program enriches the curriculum during the academic year. Major figures in the field of dance teach, choreograph, hold special workshops, perform, and are engaged for residencies on campus.

Strong individual academic and professional advising characterizes the dance approach. A faculty advisor carefully assesses the development and progress of each dance student. As a student with a dance major or minor, you are expected to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in dance core work (dance technique and choreography) and a 2.7 GPA overall in dance courses; if your work is found to be deficient, you may be placed on probation or advised to modify your program of study.

Scholarship auditions for incoming freshmen are held in November and January. Schedule an appointment well in advance by contacting the Dance Division directly. All transfer students intending to major in dance are required to audition as part of the admission process. An appointment for an audition and information on proficiency requirements can be obtained by contacting the chair of dance.

An honors tutorial program in dance is available for exceptionally talented and motivated students. This individualized program of study requires a distinctive combination of high school grades, test scores, teacher recommendations, and special achievements. If eligible, you must complete the application, audition, and interview processes by December 15. (see Honors Tutorial College for requirements and deadlines at http://www.honors.ohio.edu/dance.htm).

Ohio University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Dance.

Dance Admissions Requirements

An audition is required for all students who plan to major or minor in dance, except for those who wish to minor in Somatic Studies or Dance History and Theory. The audition is in the form of a dance class and does not require presentation of previously learned materials. If you wish to be considered for talent scholarships, you must audition by February 1; otherwise, an audition appointment can be made during the school year. Contact the Dance Division, 740.593.1828, for information. Though all prospective students are encouraged to attend auditions on the Ohio University campus, videotapes will be accepted under extenuating circumstances.

Film

Steven Ross, Chair

The Film Division, in conjunction with the Honors Tutorial College, offers exceptional students the opportunity for practical and scholarly study of film, combined with a broad liberal arts education. The program culminates with an honors thesis and leads to the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in film. Enrollment is limited; only ten students (2-3 per year) can be enrolled in this program at any given time.

Film Admissions Information

Please consult the Honors Tutorial College page for additional information.

Theater

Michael Lincoln, Chair

The undergraduate theater experience at Ohio University is a blend of core theater studies and practice; intensive training in a selected concentration; and liberal arts experiences, leading to either a professionally oriented Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A) or a broad-based Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree.

The theater is not an island unto itself; it exists as part of and because of a larger world. All theater students devote a portion of their studies to examination of the literature and history of the theater, the role of theater in society, and relationship to other art disciplines. To this end, faculty advisors in Theater strive to guide theater students through programmatic and University General Education requirements in a manner that broadens and deepens their knowledge and contributes to a critical conversation in a world context.

Production activities are considered crucial to the total curriculum planning of a theater major. Students register each semester for a credit-bearing practicum in production. In the first year, this involves participation in productions through technical and management assignments. Second-, third-, and fourth-year students have the opportunity to participate in production as a performer, technician, designer, dramaturg, or stage manager. Theater students are encouraged to pursue internship and off-campus opportunities, including study abroad programs in Theater, College of Fine Arts, Ohio University, or in conjunction with a professional theater, production company, or studio.

Ongoing and individual advising is an extremely important aspect of Theater. Each Theater student meets each semester with an academic advisor (eventually one of the core faculty members in his/her area of study) for academic and programmatic guidance. To maintain the academic and artistic rigor of the programs, all theater students are required to attain a minimum grade of C in any theater course (THAR) required for graduation. Unsatisfactory academic or programmatic progress may result in academic or program probation, removal from a sequence or degree within the Division, or denial of further enrollment as a degree candidate in Theater. Careful planning and intelligent course selection might allow pursuit of a minor or second major. In addition, high-achieving, highly motivated students can apply to the Theater Tutorial Program (see Honors Tutorial College for requirements and deadlines at http://www.honors.ohio.edu/theater.htm).

Ohio University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Theater.

Theater Admissions Requirements

All students admitted to Ohio University enter the Theater Division as a B.A. major. For talent scholarship consideration, auditions and interviews are conducted during the winter of each year for high school or transfer students considering entrance the following fall. Students are assigned an entry academic advisor and are reassigned to a new advisor upon acceptance into a degree concentration program.

Procedure for Admission to B.F.A. Programs

At the end of the freshman year, you are expected to declare a degree program. Under normal circumstances, you must complete all the 1000-level theater core requirements to be considered for entry into a degree program. All students must audition, interview, or present portfolios for entry into the B.F.A. programs (performance, stage management, playwriting, or production design and technology). You may also choose to develop an individual course of study leading to the B.A. degree.

Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Other Programs