Western Oregon University

About the Program

Western Oregon University's Dance program, housed in the Department of Theatre and Dance in Monmouth, OR, offers a Bachelor of Arts in Dance (69 credits) and a Minor in Dance. The program develops well-rounded dancers prepared for careers in dance or any field that requires creative thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and innovation. Technique training spans ballet and modern dance to hip hop, jazz, tap, ballroom, and hula, with performance and choreographic opportunities including MainStage productions and the American College Dance Association conference. WOU is noted for working with the latest technology including immersive fiber optics, dances with drones, and dance for the camera.

Degrees Offered

Concentrations

Coursework

Technique across modern, ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, ballroom, hula, plus West African dance, Haitian dance, martial arts, contact improvisation, and Latin dances. Theory coursework includes wellness for dancers, dance production, dance history, composition, and dance pedagogy. Strong emphasis on dance film/technology (immersive fiber optics, dance with drones, dance for camera). BA core is 69 credits; each concentration adds 12 credits.

Notable Faculty

• Darryl Thomas (Professor of Dance; Co-Artistic Director, Rainbow Dance Theatre)
• Timothy Cowart (Associate Professor & Dance Program Coordinator)
• Corrie Cowart (NTT Professor of Dance)
• Les Watanabe (NTT Professor of Dance)

Performance Opportunities

Named dance concerts include the Fall Dance Concert, Spring Dance Concert, Jump Start Dance Concert, Dance Out Day, and Winter Screendance Concert; plus student choreography, senior thesis projects, guest artist works, faculty choreographic works, and performances at the American College Dance Association Regional Conference. Affiliation with Rainbow Dance Theatre.