Arts

The Performing Arts

The performing arts department curricula vary in content among the three disciplines—music, dance, and theater—but our approach is the same. We view the student first as an emerging artist and creator. All performing arts courses are strongly experiential and performance-centered, focusing on the “liveness” of the art form. Fundamental skills and concepts are introduced with an emphasis on improvisation, playing, “being present” finding an authentic, spontaneous response, precision, and creative collaboration within large and small groups. All performing arts disciplines include a component of composition and the opportunity for the creation of original work. Lessons in history and theory are integrated within the context of the practice of the art form. Structures are introduced in service of better play and interaction.

Collaboration is fostered between the various disciplines, both within the arts and with other departments. The performing arts become a hub wherein the humanities and sciences can be explored in an expressive and experiential mode, giving students a space to make interdisciplinary connections between their artistic and scholarly endeavors.

Facilities: The Performing Arts Center, opened in 2001, consists of a Main Stage Theater, Black Box Theater--which serves both as a classroom and an intimate performance space-- practice rooms, a chamber music room, ensemble music room, a box office, green room, office, and scene shop. With its state-of-the-art light, sound, and projection technology and equipment, the Performing Arts Center is a professional-level, fully equipped and complete performance space for all performing arts events.

The Studio Building, across the courtyard from the Performing Arts Center, houses the Music Studio, complete with a state-of-the-art recording studio, and the Dance Studio, with its beautiful, natural light and regulation sprung floor.

Faculty: Randee Paufve, Jessica Wolf and Hideko Akashi, dance; Bob Schleeter, Dartanyan Brown, and Julie Feldman, music; Annie Elias and David Sinaiko, theater; Josh McDermott, Technical Director for the Performing Arts Center.