Dance Program Undergraduate Handbook CONTENT WELCOME DANCE MAJOR INFORMATION DANCE FACULTY AND OTHER IMPORTANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ADVISEMENT, GRADING, EVALUATION PROCEDURES FOR CLASSES AND REHEARSALS MULTIPLE COMMITMENTS ABSENCES AND WITHDRAWALS STUDENT ORGANIZATION COMMUNICATION HOUSEKEEPING CONCERNS SAFETY & SECURITY DANCE SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES DANCE STORE LOCATIONS CURRICULUM FOR DANCE MAJORS: Emphases in Performance/Choreography and Dance Education K-­‐12 Certification FORMS TO RETURN TO MAIN OFFICE 1. Contact Information 2. Student Hometown News Release Dear Dance Majors, August 2014 Welcome! We have planned a busy year and hope you have all returned rested and in perfect condition! The hottest ticket in town and one that will influence you as a dancer and choreographer will happen on October the 22, 2014 at Koger Center for the Arts. The internationally acclaimed Paul Taylor Dance Company will be in residence at the University of South Carolina and will perform four major works from their magical repertory for one night only. “One of the most exciting, innovative, and delightful dance companies in the entire world.” New York Times The Paul Taylor Company residency is hosted by the Dept. of Theatre and Dance and sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences. We all must thank our Dean, Mary Ann Fitzpatrick. She has been instrumental in bringing this world-­‐class Modern Dance Company to Columbia. Every one of you will have the opportunity to take master classes and attend the performance. Please mark you calendar. Dance Education students will have a chance to work with the school districts as we present master classes and lecture demonstrations with the schools. Our BA in Dance with Emphasis in Dance Education K-­‐12 Certification, now in its sixth year, will welcome the new head of Dance Education Dr. Stephanie Milling. She is truly an amazing artist and teacher with so much to offer to all of our majors. Her bio is now on our website. We all extend a warm welcome to her. At present we have students teaching in the public and private schools across the Southeast and we hope this academic exchange will both excite and educate as we provide residencies with world class choreographers and dance companies. This past year we graduated our largest class and placed many of our performance students with dance companies across the U.S as well as five recent Dance Ed graduates in schools. Some of our recent alumni have entered graduate school at Florida State, Trinity in London and UC Irvine. Congratulations to McCree O’Kelly who has just completed his first year as Assistant Professor of Dance at Converse College. Congratulations to Carolyn Bolton who has joined the Rambert Dance Company in London. Each new season gives us the opportunity to present Columbia audiences with works that inspire, entertain, and achieve ever greater heights of artistic excellence. Our 2014-­‐2015 season features a fresh new look with traditional and avant garde choreography that will showcase the artistry of our young dancers. A centerpiece of our season will be Company B. Paul Taylor created this masterpiece for several ballet companies including San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet and Houston Ballet. It was a whopping success with the public. This contemporary ballet is set to the music of American 40’s singers the Andrew Sisters and composer Louis Moreau Gottschalk. Kyra Strasberg, our distinguished artist-­‐in-­‐residence, has performed this choreography by Taylor and was instrumental in gaining this ballet, which is usually performed only by professional companies. She will be the rehearsal director for this monumental work. This year Stacey Calvert, Associate Artistic Director of the USC Dance Company, will again stage iconic works by George Balanchine and host stars from the New York City Ballet. There were over 50 dance majors on stage with the Stars of the New York City Ballet for the show stopping Stars and Stripes. Thanks to the valiant efforts of our USC Board of Dance, this performance will again include a fabulous Gala, with new and exciting details to come. Look for more information in the near future. The date is April 17, 2015. We are pleased to announce that Thaddeus Davis and Tanya Wideman-­‐Davis the directors of Wideman/Davis Dance, our professional dance company in residence, was awarded a MAP grant from the Doris Duke Foundation to create a new work slated for spring 2015. With the award, they will develop a brand new evening-­‐length work entitled Ruptured Silence: Racist Symbolism and Signs. The dance research piece is collaboration between the duo's professional company, Wideman/Davis Dance, and other professional dance artists and scholars. It is intended to "expose and question the history of the confederate flag, its current presence and its representation in the Southern States of America." In addition, they will continue their choreography of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of desegregation at USC, which was performed for a special concert on April 2014. Our season would not be complete without our emerging young student choreographers. You will have the opportunity in the fall and spring to bring your creativity in composition to the stage under the direction of Cindy Flach. Those works will be adjudicated and the best will be chosen for competition at the American College Regional Dance Festival. The dates for the American College Dance Festival are in March. We would like to take as many of you as possible. There are two student committees who help with the governance of our dance program. They are the Student Advisory Committee as well as NDEO student chapter. Please make every effort to be involved! USC Dance Conservatory with Kerri Lambert as administrative director and Stacey Calvert as curriculum director have big plans for a new production of the ballet Alice in Wonderland as their spring performance. I hope that you will be as excited as we are about this upcoming year, and I look forward to seeing you in class and rehearsal. This season is guaranteed to be unlike any other. With brand new creations, renowned masterpieces, and great classics, the repertoire is sure to excite our audiences and highlight the versatility, technical brilliance, and dramatic flair of our world-­‐-­‐-­‐class young artists. Our 2014-­‐2015 Season is going to be spectacular! My door is always open. All my best, Susan Susan E. Anderson Director, USC Dance Program Professor of Dance DANCE MAJOR B.A. INFORMATION We’re glad you’re here to join us at the USC Dance Program. The program offers two emphases, Performance/Choreography and Dance Education K-­‐12 Certification. We also offer a dance minor. Students from both emphases take classes together, and all programs require technique, choreography, production, dance history, and body science. Teacher licensure in dance (for those interested in teaching dance in public schools) is available for students in the Dance Education K-­‐12 Certification program. The BA degree with Emphasis in Performance/Choreography requires 31-­‐41 credits with 120 overall, and is thus an especially good choice for students seeking a double major within four years. Many students, however, elect to take more than the required number of dance credits in order to better prepare themselves for a particular career. The BA degree with Emphasis in Dance Education K-­‐12 Certification requires 57-­‐67 credits and sometimes requires an additional semester. The College of Education requires 4 courses in the minor. It is difficult to have a dual or double major. This handbook is one of several that can provide answers to the questions most people have about USC and the Dance program. The others are the USC Undergraduate Bulletin, the USC Student Handbook, and the USC website. Since we encourage students to develop their initiative (a quality that is needed for success in all dance-­‐-­‐-­‐ related careers), we encourage you to first try to find the answers for yourself. If you still have questions, there are people who can help. All faculty are glad to help when they can. If we don’t know the answer, we’ll try to find someone who does. Also, other students are usually glad to help; don’t be afraid to ask the seniors! We hope you will get to know the upper class students, too. We are fortunate to have students pursuing a BA degree in Dance as well as double or dual majors. There are two Dance student organization, Student Advisory Committee as well as NDEO Student Chapter. Student Government sponsors these organizations. We encourage all majors to participate in one or both. DANCE FACULTY & STAFF •
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Susan E. Anderson, Professor, Artistic Director, [email protected] Stephanie Milling, Head of Dance Education, Instructor Stacey Calvert, Distinguished Artist in Residence, Instructor of Ballet, [email protected] Thaddeus Davis, Assistant Professor, Contemporary Dance, Thaddeus Davis, Assistant Professor, Contemporary Dance, [email protected] Eric Morris, Production Manager, [email protected] Kyra Strasberg, Distinguished Artist in Residence, Instructor of Ballet [email protected] Tanya Wideman-­‐Davis, Assistant Professor, Contemporary Dance and Ballet, [email protected] PART-­‐TIME FACULTY •
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Richard Durlach, Ballroom Dance I & II, Richard Durlach, Ballroom Dance I & II, [email protected] Cindy Flach, Dance Appreciation, West African Dance, World Dance, Tap, [email protected] Michael James, Accompanist Dale Lam, Jazz I & II, Dale Lam, Jazz I & II, [email protected] Kerri Lambert, Adjunct Faculty, Administrative Director, Dance Conservatory, [email protected] Stephanie Wilkins, Dance Appreciation, Pilates, Contemporary Dance I, [email protected] Dance Office Fax #: 803-­‐777-­‐0837 OTHER IMPORTANT PEOPLE TO KNOW •
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Lisa Martin-­‐Stuart, Chair, Theatre & Dance, Longstreet Theatre, 4th Floor, [email protected] Lakesha Campbell, Theatre & Dance, Student Services Coordinator I, Longstreet Theatre, [email protected] Dawn Hiller, Arts &Sciences, Director of Student Services, Curricula I, Flinn Hall, [email protected] ADVISEMENT, GRADING, EVALUATION Advisement Each year as an entering Freshman you will be placed in a specific level determined by Professor Anderson. The majority of incoming Freshmen are placed in level 2. Student summer orientation is held throughout the summer and Freshmen will be advised by the Department of Theatre and Dance Student Coordinator as well as the College of Arts and Science advisors. The placement list will be sent to them ahead of time. For the spring semester each Freshman will be advised also by Professor Anderson. Rising Sophomores will be advised by Professor Tanya Wideman-­‐Davis and she will advise you for the spring semester. Professor Thaddeus Davis will do the same for the Juniors. Professor Anderson will advise rising Seniors and be responsible for all senior checks including emphasis for Dance Education K-­‐12 Certification. Students will be assigned to an individual faculty member for review dance technique progress through student evaluations of Juried Exams. Student Evaluations and Juried Exams Each semester dance majors will be graded based on Rubrics for ballet and contemporary technique (copies are available in the main lobby) and should also be attached with your course syllabi. The juried exam at the end of the semester accounts for 40% of your grade. Each evaluator include the course teachers will complete the evaluation on you and it will be placed in your file for you to review. Please make an appointment to discuss your juried exams. Level Placement The faculty meets the week before advisement begins and determines your next semester level. Sometimes we make a mistake and will correct before the start of the next semester. Remember you must achieve Level 3 in both ballet and contemporary to graduate. Dance Company Since many of you are in multi works under the direction of numerous faculty your grade for Dance Company is decided by all of them. Dance Company is a requirement but also an honor. Grades include promptness, attendance, but most of all, your work ethic and ability to achieve what is expected of you as stated in your syllabus. PROCEDURES FOR CLASSES AND REHEARSALS In the Dance Major courses, there are several key objectives you must keep in mind in order to pass as well as benefit from these courses. General Guidelines for Dance Courses: 1. Please do not talk in class. It is inappropriate and distracting to the instructor and the other students taking the class. 2. Do not chew gum during class. 3. Cell phones MUST be turned off during class. 4. Students should be alert to all corrections given to them and others. 5. Notify the instructor prior to class and/or rehearsals of any injuries, surgeries, or other limitations on physical activity. 6. Notify the instructor prior to class and /or rehearsals of any scheduling conflicts. Objectives for Technique Classes: 1.
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Work to increase strength and flexibility in all technique classes. Demonstrate an understanding of the terms and movements used in class. Demonstrate an ability to correctly execute movements and combinations. Demonstrate a positive working attitude while participating in class. Demonstrate an understanding and achievement of proper body alignment. Develop a sense of musicality. Develop artistry. Objectives for Dance Company: 1.
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Learn choreography to be performed by the USC Dance Company. Demonstrate an understanding of the movement for each particular style. Demonstrate a positive working attitude. Further develop a sense of musicality and presence as a performer. Dress Requirements:
1. Students must be properly attired for dance classes. Appropriate shoes (i.e., ballet slippers, pointe shoes, jazz shoes, etc.) must be worn. Appropriate dancewear is also required. Though specifics may differ for each technique, women must wear leotard and tights, and men must wear tights, and well fitted shirts. Baggy warm -­‐ ups are not permitted. 2. Hair must be secured away from the face. Ponytails are not permitted. 3. Necklaces, dangling earrings, watches or large rings must not be worn. Attendance Policy: Students are expected to be present and participating in every class session unless otherwise noted. If a student is not in a piece, then the student will be given other duties that pertain to getting the piece on stage. Absences will inevitably have an impact on the final grade, as the degree of technical progress and cohesiveness hinge on participation of the student. In accordance with the attendance policy of the University of South Carolina, three EXCUSED absences and two EXCUSED tardies are allowed before the grade is lowered. Students may observe class in case of illness or injury and will receive credit for attendance. It is the student’s responsibility to arrive prior to class to begin an individual warm-­‐up. Late arrival, with no warm-­‐up, makes the dancer prone to injury and also causes disruption to class. Tardiness is not acceptable. Permission must be obtained to join a class in progress. If you have an unavoidable absence that you know ahead of time, please email Director Susan Anderson at [email protected] (she needs it in writing for our records) and any instructors that would be affected BEFORE you are absent. If you are unable to email or speak directly to the office or appropriate instructor, a message with the following MUST be left: -­‐-­‐-­‐Name of Student -­‐-­‐-­‐Reason for Absence -­‐-­‐-­‐Time and Date of Absence -­‐-­‐-­‐Affected Instructors/Rehearsals due to Absence What to do if you become… Sick: If you are sick and unable to observe class, please email Director Susan Anderson at [email protected] (she needs it in writing for our records). If you are to be involved with a rehearsal that day as well, please mention this in your email she will then notify this information to the instructor. It is most important you do this as soon as possible BEFORE your class or scheduled rehearsal. Injured: If you become injured during the school year, you must notify the Dance Program Office. After notifying the office it is important to contact your instructors to decide on a recovery plan. It is imperative that you attend and observe each class and rehearsal unless otherwise is decided so that your grade remains unaffected. Failure to adhere to any of the set policies will affect the final grade. The instructor reserves the right, however, to alter policies to suit the need of the student and/or instructor. Performance Training Disclosure: The Department of Theatre and Dance endorses the concept that the body is the performer’s true instrument of creativity and craft. It is through the body (including voice production) that a performer communicates to an audience. Consequently, the nature of performance (acting/dance) training will at times require physical touch between instructor and student and/or between student and student in order to clarify or demonstrate the body’s processes as related to the training. If you have any special needs or concerns, are uncomfortable with the nature of this work, or have physical conditions or injuries which may restrict or prevent your taking part in the work, please make an appointment with the instructor for further discussion. If you are uncomfortable discussing this with your instructor, please see the head of your area, Susan Anderson, or the chair of the department, Lisa Martin-­‐-­‐-­‐ Stuart, Department of Theatre and Dance. You must have permission from the Director for outside performances opportunities. MULTIPLE COMMITMENTS Part of the university experience involves learning to set priorities, make decisions, and experience the consequences of your choices. You will probably have more opportunities and more options to choose from than ever before. You will have to find a way to balance classes, homework, your social life, your job, and your rehearsal commitments. There is a strong temptation to get too involved, especially in activities you love (such as clubs, sororities, dance team, and performing). The consequences may include stress-­‐-­‐-­‐related illnesses, injuries, poor academic performance, and a diminished reputation if you cannot fulfill all the responsibilities you take on. The best prevention is to avoid overload from the beginning. Please keep in mind that activities that carry course credit, in general, should take precedence over non-­‐-­‐-­‐credit activities. Do not expect to turn in papers or present assignments late or receive "free absences" in other courses in order to attend rehearsals or performances or other university activities. Save your allowed class absences for these times when you need them, and notify your instructor ahead of time. ABSENCES AND WITHDRAWALS All instructors will post a syllabus during the first week of classes, which will include class policies and the attendance policy. In most classes there is a penalty, often a significant one, beyond a certain number of absences. Most instructors do not discriminate between "excused" and "unexcused" absences, so it is wise to save the allowed absences for when you really need them. If you find that you must miss or have missed more times than allowed, SEE THE INSTRUCTOR right away. In some cases it is best to take a withdrawal from the course. Sometimes an Incomplete may be given. DO NOT JUST GIVE UP AND DISAPPEAR. If you are uncomfortable going to your instructor, see your advisor or another faculty member in the program. If you decide to drop a course, please notify the instructor. Check the University Calendar for the last date to drop a course without an academic penalty. After that date, you will usually receive a grade of WF, which counts as an F in your GPA. There are some exceptions to this including medical withdrawals and some extenuating personal problems. COMMUNICATION Electronic Communication: CHECK YOUR USC EMAIL! The dance program will send group and individual important messages to your USC email account, regarding registrations, rehearsal schedules, important meetings, scholarship information, possible outside dance opportunities, etc. Do not reply to ALL if your response is to only one or two on the list. Bulletin Boards: READ THE BULLETIN BOARDS! There are bulletin boards in the hallway outside the studios. These boards are for Performance/Choreography, Dance Ed, the Conservatory and Tech related postings. Do not post on these boards, if you have something for these bulletin boards, check with Eric Morris for the Dance Performance/Choreography & Dance Ed, Kerri Lambert for the Conservatory and Eric Morris for Tech. Unauthorized or improperly posted materials may be removed. The one near the elevator may be used for all outside postings, which you can post yourself there without permission. HOUSEKEEPING CONCERNS Dance studios are very difficult to keep clean. There is one custodial person who tries to keep studios floors swept and mopped on a regular basis. Their job, however, does not give them the responsibility of cleaning up after sloppy students. Students should make every effort to pick up after themselves in order to keep the studios uncluttered and safe for classes. Clothing that is left behind in studios will be turned into the Lost and Found located in the downstairs dressing room/girls bathroom (1st floor). Other lost and found items, such as jewelry, may be turned in to the Dance Office 001. Do not eat or drink anything except water in the dance studios. Spilled foods and beverages are very harmful to the dance surfaces and can be dangerous to dancers. Glass from broken containers is especially dangerous. Street shoes are not allowed on the dance floors. The Dance Program encourages recycling. Bins for aluminum cans, plastic bottles and office paper to be recycled are located outside the bathrooms, upstairs and down. The Dance Program has lockers available for students in dressing rooms and hallways—please use them! You may claim a locker for the academic year by placing a lock on it. Lockers are usually emptied in the summer (the remaining locks cut off), so please remember to clean out your locker at the end of spring semester. SAFETY AND SECURITY •
The APO campus escort service may be called at 803-­‐777-­‐3825. This service is provided for students who live on campus or for students who have a car •
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PARKED on campus. Never leave a rehearsal or performance alone at night. Always "buddy up" with a friend, unless you use the escort service. DO NOT AT ANY TIME prop or wedge open an exterior building door. Remove any such props that are found and report the incident to the office. When entering or leaving the building from locked exterior doors, especially during times when the building is closed to the general university population, make sure the doors close and lock behind you. You are subject to losing studio privileges if you do not make sure the door is locked. The campus emergency phone number is 911. For nonemergency’s call Campus Police 803-­‐777-­‐4215. Keep these and other important phone numbers on hand for easy reference. Report any suspicious looking individuals or groups to the office or after hours to the campus police immediately. It is better to be safe than sorry! Where possible, store equipment out of sight when not in use. Do not leave wallets, laptops, or any valuables unattended, even for a moment. Do not leave them near an open door, even if you are rehearsing inside. A limited number of lockers are available in the dressing rooms, hallway; provide your own lock. Locks must be removed at the end of spring semester so that lockers can be emptied over the summer. Important campus phone numbers: Emergency 911 USC Police non-­‐emergency 803-­‐777-­‐4215 APO Campus Escort 803-­‐777-­‐3825 Student Health Center 803-­‐777-­‐3174 DANCE SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES 1. The Dance Scholarship account was established to provide support for university students who demonstrate a strong commitment to USC Dance. 2. All contributions to the University of South Carolina (excluding contributions to the USC Educational Foundation), which donors have designed for dance scholarships, will be deposited into the dance scholarship account. All funds in this account will be expended solely for scholarships, to be awarded based on the criteria below. 3. The number and dollar amount of scholarships to be awarded is dependent upon the number of qualified candidates and on the level of funds available. It is left to the discretion of the scholarship committee to determine the number and amount of scholarships to be awarded each semester. 4. All records regarding receipt and dispersal of funds for account will be kept by the Department of Theatre and Dance. 5. Students are expected to maintain a 2.5 grade point average. Criteria: Dance scholarships will be awarded based on the following criteria: 1. Full-­‐-­‐-­‐time university students enrolled for a minimum of 12 credit hours, and a declared dance major. Freshmen are eligible to receive scholarships. 2. Technical ability. 3. Performance participation with the USC Dance Company, not only in regularly scheduled concerts, but also at the request of the Artistic Director for unscheduled, special invitation performances. 4. Classes and rehearsal attendance. This includes promptness and 100% attendance, unless an extenuating circumstance exists and the choreographer and/or Artistic Director have approved absences. Award Process: 1. Individuals in the fall and spring semester (please check Dance USC web site for dates) will be judged at the regularly scheduled auditions. The Dance USC Scholarship Committee and the Artistic Director will evaluate dancers. This will be a ballet class audition followed by a contemporary class and/or combinations. 2. Scholarship awards will be approved by the Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance and upon the recommendation of the Scholarship Committee in consultation with the Artistic Director. Scholarship committee will consist of the full-­‐-­‐-­‐time and part-­‐-­‐-­‐time dance faculty. 3. Scholarship payment will be disbursed at the beginning of the semester for which the award was granted. If the recipient has unsatisfactorily fulfilled any of the criteria set forth above, scholarship funds will not be available to them in the future. 4. The Department of Theatre and Dance will be provided with minutes of all scholarship committee meetings at which scholarship awards are decided. 5. The USC Dance Program reserves the right to rescind the scholarship if the recipient fails to fulfill any of the criteria at any time during the academic semester, as determined by the Artistic Director. DANCE STORE LOCATIONS:
The Turning Pointe *
5243 Forest Drive
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 782-8188
Wellheeled *
1547 Main Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 771-7041
*Make sure to ask if they provide discounts for USC Dance Company!!!
University of South Carolina ~ Department of Theatre & Dance Contact Information Read this: If we need to reach you while you’re at USC/Columbia, we need your current address and phone number on the top portion of this contact information form. Academic Year: Entering as: FRESHMAN ☐ TRANSFER ☐ as: FR SO JR SR (Check Box) (Circle One) Name:_________________________________________________________________________________________ Address:______________________________________________________________________________________ Street City State & Zip Phone: __________________________________________________☐ Best number to contact you Cell Phone: _____________________________________________☐ Best number to contact you Email: _______________________________________________________________________________________ (That you most often check and use) SS#: ____________________________________________________ (USC uses this for your Student I.D. number) Parents Name:______________________________________________________________________________ Home Address:______________________________________________________________________________ Street City State & Zip Home Phone: ___________________________________Cell:_______________________________________ Parents Email: Incase of emergency contact Name:__________________________________________________________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________________________________________________________ Street City State & Zip Phone: ___________________________________________ Cell: _______________________________________ ********************************************************************************* I have read the USC Dance UG Handbook, Guidelines and Rules and I agree
to abide by them ☐ (Check Box, sign and date below) Sign: ___________________________________________________________Date:__________________________ Student Signature