University of Kansas

About the Program

KU Dance, housed in the Department of Theatre & Dance within the School of the Arts, is an undergraduate program offering both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance in Lawrence, Kansas. The BA combines rigorous studio training with a liberal arts foundation (allowing double majors), while the BFA focuses on technical training and preparation for a professional performance career. Students train across ballet, modern/contemporary, jazz, tap, hip hop, flamenco, and musical theatre dance, with performance opportunities including University Dance Company concerts and senior showcases. No audition is required for admission; students complete a Sophomore Review to continue in the degree.

Degrees Offered

Coursework

BFA requires 120 total credit hours, including 33 hours of dance technique at the 200 level or higher (6 hours in at least one genre at 300 level or higher). Curriculum integrates technique with choreography/composition, dance theory, history, dance science (anatomy and injury prevention), somatic movement & conditioning, and pedagogy. Capstone senior project in performance and/or choreography. A dance focus is also available within the department's MA and PhD in Theatre and Performance Studies, but those are theatre/performance-studies degrees rather than dedicated dance degrees.

Facilities

Robinson Center and Murphy Hall on the Lawrence campus; connections with the Lied Center of Kansas for master classes.

Performance Opportunities

University Dance Company concerts (with principal role casting available), Senior Showcases, University Theatre musical productions, and guest artist intensives through the Hamburg and Peterson programs.