Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Department of Theatre and Dance · School of Creative and Performing Arts
- Where
- Natchitoches, LA
- Degrees
- BFA · Minor
- Ballet
- Modern
- Contemporary
About the Program
Louisiana's only public BFA in Dance, offered through Northwestern State University's Department of Theatre and Dance in Natchitoches. The program blends rigorous technique, choreography, and creativity with real-world experiences—from guest artists to national festivals—to launch students' dance careers. Coursework spans ballet, modern dance, improvisation, composition, anatomy for dancers, and pedagogy, culminating in a student-designed, choreographed, and performed Senior Concert.
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance
Dance Minor
CourseworkRepresentative courses and the shape of the curriculum.
Coursework includes Ballet, Modern Dance, Dance Improvisation, Dance Composition I & II, Anatomy for Dancers, Dance Tech, and Pedagogy. Career paths highlighted: choreographer, dance teacher, fitness instructor.
Notable Faculty
- Kirstin Riehl (Director of Dance, Professor of Dance)
- Brett Alan Garfinkel (Chair of Theatre and Dance, Professor of Dance)
- Nhan Ho (Assistant Professor of Dance)
- Joy Campbell (Adjunct Professor of Dance)
FacilitiesStudios, theatres and performance spaces on campus.
The A.A. Fredericks Fine Arts Building houses a 1,400-seat proscenium stage, a 125-seat thrust stage (Theatre West), a 60–75 seat black box (The Wann Theatre), a large dance studio with sprung floor, and a tap dance studio with sprung floor, plus a computer/design lab and scene, costume, light, sound, and paint shops.
Performance Opportunities
Four to six full-stage productions per semester including dance concerts, plus student-led productions, national showcases, and a culminating student-designed, choreographed, and performed Senior Concert.
Rankings & AlumniWhere the program ranks and the alumni it has produced.
Rankings
Department of Theatre and Dance is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) and designated a "Center of Excellence in the Arts" by the University of Louisiana System (as of July 2026).
Want to Learn More?
Continue on Northwestern State University of Louisiana's official site.
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