DANCE THEATRE

The purpose of the new MFA in Dance Theatre (beginning Fall 08) is to nurture the unique vision of the next generation of dance theatre artists.  Students will create original works that foster cross-fertilization between choreography and other artistic disciplines.  The focus of the program will encourage the development of concepts and processes, which expand the language and aesthetics of dance theatre.

The core principles, methods and aesthetics of our vision are rooted in the developments of both European dance theatre over the past thirty years, and the evolution of American post modern dance and theatre forms. By introducing the dance theatre track to the existing theatre MFA program, we aim to expand the scope of collaborative artistic activity between graduate designers, directors, and performers, by encouraging cross-fertilization of ideas, creative practice, and performance language. Dance Theatre artists will be encouraged to explore and develop processes that employ both theatre and dance methodology, leading to the syntheses between choreographic, theatrical, visual, technological, and sound media.

The program will strictly limit admission to support two MFA students per year so that the process of study for each artist can be fully supported.

 

The Curriculum

The MFA program in Dance Theatre provides an intensive laboratory for candidates to pursue processes that will hone their particular artistic voice in dance theatre. The curriculum is designed to allow each graduate student to explore their own unique creative processes, to define their own particular aesthetic, and to discover and develop their own distinctive movement and performance language. Core courses consist of Choreography Seminars in the study and practice of aesthetic concepts, history, and methodology for choreographic creation of dance theatre; Dance Theatre Topics Seminars that provide in depth discussion and research on a full spectrum of topics from collaborative processes to professional practice; new media, costume, lighting, sound, and scenic design; and a rich offering of electives across media and between disciplines which will allow each student to pursue individual areas of interest. Graduate students maintain a physical practice chosen from Graduate Studio offerings in contemporary practices, improvisation, Ballet for contemporary dance, Yoga, Pilates, and a range of Latin, African, and Asian dance forms.

 

Production

Dance Theatre students will have the opportunity to create work throughout their time at UCSD in studio, workshop, cabaret, and site-specific productions.  Second year students will present works in the Spring quarter.  Thesis projects of a significant dance theatre work will be fully executed by the extensive production talents of the MFA design program in the third year. Collaboration with MFA designers, directors, visual artists and writers on both small and large scale productions is highly encouraged, as well as with  professional dancers from the vibrant San Diego Dance community. 

 

Externship and Research Opportunities

Students are encouraged to work or research in the field when time permits, and they are assisted with professional opportunities, typically in the Spring or Summer of the second year. Dance Theatre candidates may have an opportunity to gain production experiences in a variety of theatres and venues in San Diego, New York, Seattle, Los Angeles, London, at the La Jolla Playhouse, or a comparable professional residency experience.

 

Faculty

The permanent dance faculty at UCSD is comprised of practicing choreographers and dance theatre artists with international reputations, whose artistic work has evolved within the historical context of both the European and American developments. In conjunction with the faculty designers, writers and directors we have a highly experienced, artistically rich and diverse team of mentors for graduate dance theatre students.  Visiting Guest artists will be offering special seminars and master classes. To see a list of our current faculty, with photos and bios, please visit our faculty page.