American University

About the Program

American University's Dance Program, housed in the Department of Performing Arts within the College of Arts and Sciences, offers a BA in Dance (43 credits) and a Dance Minor (19 credits). The curriculum emphasizes embodied knowledge, critical inquiry, creative practice, and student-driven concentrations, examining movement through technique, creative research, and dance theory. Styles taught include African, ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, improvisation, musical theatre styles, somatics (pilates, yoga, LMA, Alexander technique), and urban forms (breaking, house, locking, popping, waacking). The program aims to prepare students for careers in performance, choreography, education, non-profit, and commercial enterprise.

Degrees Offered

Coursework

BA in Dance is 43 credits; Dance Minor is 19 credits. Curriculum emphasizes technique, creative research, and dance theory with student-driven concentrations. Also offers dance improvisation, somatics (pilates, yoga, Laban Movement Analysis, Alexander technique), and urban dance forms (breaking, house, locking, popping, waacking).

Facilities

Katzen Arts Center houses the primary dance studio with a Harlequin sprung floor, barres, stereo, and projection, plus the Katzen Studio Theatre (black box). Performances are held at the Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre and the Abrahamson Family Recital Hall.

Performance Opportunities

CHOREOLAB (fall mainstage workshop for student choreographers), Senior Dance Capstone, DANCEWORKS (spring mainstage concert featuring the AU Dance Company), AU Dances (twice-yearly class performances), student club performances, and American College Dance Festival (ACDA) participation.