Marietta College

What you'll study

The minor covers a broad set of movement practices and dance-related topics. Current course content includes ballet, tap, jazz, modern/contemporary, historical/period dance, choreography, partnering and yoga. Technique work references methods such as Graham, Horton, Giordano, Buck and Wing, and Cecchetti. Students also develop skills in choreography (a required course), musicality, and applying story structure to movement, and have chances to choreograph for departmental performances.

Entry requirements

Previous dance experience is preferred but not mandatory; incoming minors typically have about 1–4+ years of experience. Students with no formal background are invited to contact the program director, Aurora Held-Dodd, at aeh003@marietta.edu to identify appropriate beginning courses.

Career prospects

The Dance minor prepares students for a range of pathways. It is directly relevant to pursuits in musical theatre, dance therapy, and dance medicine, and is also useful as complementary training for students planning careers in health sciences, education, sports medicine or other fields where movement knowledge, physical conditioning and performance skills are beneficial. Students who do not intend to work professionally in the arts can still gain physical, cognitive and interpersonal benefits from the program.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The Theatre Department offers Fine Arts Talent Scholarships that can support dancers; interested students are encouraged to register for an on-campus audition date. Facilities supporting the program include the primary dance studio in the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center (65 by 35 feet, with mirrors, barres and wood flooring) and additional performance spaces such as Friederich Theater and the Andrews Hall Great Room.