Principia College
Performing Arts (Theatre/Dance) · Principia College
Elsah, IL
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About the Program
Principia College's Department of Performing Arts offers a B.A. in Performing Arts that integrates theatre and dance, along with a standalone Minor in Dance. Dance students engage in the study and practice of dance history, composition, production, technique, choreography, and performance. The curriculum spans technique in ballet and modern dance, a "Dance Styles" course covering tap, hip-hop, lyrical, social, and cultural dance forms, plus academic courses in Dance History, World Dance Cultures, Dance Composition, and dance production/choreography practica. Principia is a private liberal arts college in Elsah, Illinois, associated with the Christian Science community.
Degrees Offered
B.A. in Performing Arts (Theatre/Dance)
- •Theatre
- •Dance
Minor in Dance
Concentrations
Coursework
Dance (DANC) course catalog includes technique sequences Ballet II/III, Modern II/III, Dance as Movement I/II; Dance Styles (tap, hip-hop, lyrical, social dances, cultural forms including Irish and African Diaspora); academic courses Dance History, Topics in Dance History, World Dance Cultures, The Functional Moving Body (somatics), Dance Composition, Creative Theory and Practice; and production courses Dance Practicum (Cast/Staff) and Choreography Practicum. "Lyrical" and Irish/African-diaspora cultural forms noted here as they lack canonical style tokens.
Notable Faculty
- Erin J. Lane
- Leah R. Gallant-McFall
- Trish Brown Schmit
- Christine Calkins Steele
Performance Opportunities
Dance Productions / annual dance production; Dance Practicum (Cast and Staff) and Choreography Practicum courses provide performance and production experience.
Rankings & Alumni
Rankings
Institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1923 (as of July 2026). Not NASD-accredited.
Want to Learn More?
Continue on Principia College's official site.