In the Spring of 2000, the LSU Department of Theatre began
offering a dance minor requiring 18 hours of concentrated study.
The dance program, coordinated by Molly Buchmann, also employs
Susan Perlis as ballet specialist and rotating specialists in
modern dance and jazz.
Master classes enhance student training with notable dancers
including, most recently, Urban Bush Women and David Parsons.
Students in the dance minor, which is modern-based, are also
encouraged to have a strong foundation in ballet.
Classes are offered through the Department of
Theatre and include:
1800 Introduction to Dance
1131 Beginning Ballet
1127 Beginning Modern
1153 Beginning Jazz
1231 Intermediate Ballet
1227 Intermediate Modern
1253 Intermediate Jazz
1804 Dance Production for Dancers (audition only)
3802 Dance Composition
3803 Dance Improvisation
4801 Dance History
4804 Dance Production for Choreographers
To achieve the dance minor students should complete six technique
classes from the selection of beginning and intermediate courses
in ballet, modern dance and jazz. Each course may be taken twice
for credit. Other required courses include Introduction to Dance,
Dance History and Dance Composition or Dance Improvisation.
One additional 3-hour elective is required in Stage Movement
or Dance Theatre. The Dance Theatre class, which is offered
at the 1000 level for dancers and the 4000 level for choreographers,
is open by audition only. Students in these classes comprise
the LSU Dance Ensemble and plan and implement the annual Dance
Concert in May.
The Dance Ensemble is often invited to perform at campus and
off-campus functions. With an enrollment of approximately 80
students, the dance minor continues to expand embracing new
trends in dance while emphasizing the fundamentals.
