Performing Arts

School/College: Milton and Lillian Peck School of the Arts

Degrees Conferred:

• MFA in Performing Arts

Contents

• Graduate Faculty
• Master of Fine Arts in Performing Arts: Dance
• Master of Fine Arts in Performing Arts: Film
• Courses - Dance
• Courses - Film

Overview

The Milton and Lillian Peck School of the Arts offers the Master of Fine Arts in Performing Arts, an interdisciplinary degree program encompassing graduate studies in film and dance. The curricula in this program include intensive professional training in an individual performance area plus significant interdisciplinary experience in related performance and scholarly fields. All curricula are dedicated to maintaining the most rigorous professional and artistic standards in their disciplines.

The programs currently offered are: film and video production in the Department of Film; and choreography and performance in the Department of Dance.

The curricula offered in the program are designed for serious and talented students who are preparing for careers as professionals in the performing arts or as artist-teachers in advanced training programs. Admission to the programs is highly selective, and all curricula include extensive practical performance experience.

The Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts is the premier performance home for the Peck School of the Arts. It includes the 759-seat Helen Bader Concert Hall, a 3,200 square foot rehearsal room, numerous small ensemble practice rooms, and the Mary L. Nohl Art Galleries.

The School's other facilities include the Fine Arts Center which houses two theatres, a recital hall, and related shop, studio, instructional and practice space, and nearby Mitchell Hall with studio, viewing, and processing facilities for the Department of Film as well as the chamber dance theatre and additional rehearsal, studio, and performance spaces for the departments of Theatre and Dance.

Graduate Faculty

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Dance

Professors

Bronson, Ferne Caulker, B.A., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Parsons, Marcia Ruth, M.A., University of Illinois-Champaign/Urbana

Associate Professors

Ferro, Simone, M.F.A., University of Iowa

Lilly, Janet, M.F.A., University of Michigan, Chair

Tyson, Andre, Professional Dancer and Choreographer

Assistant Professors

Vanier, Luc, M.F.A., University of Illinois - Champaign/Urbana

Wutz, Darci, M.F.A., Smith College

Film

Professors

Blau, Richard, Ph.D., Yale University

Condit, Cecelia, M.F.A., Temple University

Kitchen, Diane, M.F.A., San Francisco Art Institute

Associate Professors

Callahan, Vicki, Ph.D., University of California - Los Angeles

Cobb, Portia, M.A., San Francisco State University

White, Iverson, M.F.A., University of California-Los Angeles

Yeo, Robert H., M.F.A., School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chair

Assistant Professors

Rymarcsuk, Gina, M.F.A., University of Washington

Warren-Crow, Heather, Ph.D., University of California-Berkeley

Master of Fine Arts in Performing Arts: Dance

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The Department of Dance offers graduate study leading to the Master of Fine Arts in Performing Arts—Dance. The program offers opportunity to hone technical skills, to explore personal intuition, imagination, and craft both in creating dance works and also in performing them, and to focus on critical areas of dance core studies.

Graduate choreographic projects may be pursued both on and off campus. Students may arrange to set works for schools, churches, galleries, community projects, and local dance companies, and are encouraged to discover new dance environments and resources. Two on-campus dance spaces, the Mainstage Theatre and the Mitchell Hall Studio 264, may be available for selected works during the year.

A block of on-campus and distance learning course work is available during the fall and spring semesters, in addition to the intensive summer graduate course offerings, which make the degree accessible to those whose full-time professional employment schedules require them to study at these non-traditional times.

Admission

Applicants who meet Graduate School requirements plus these program requirements may be admitted in good standing:

1. submission of a videotape or DVD of past or current performance and/or choreographic work.
2. submission of two letters of recommendation.

Applicants lacking in course background may be admitted with deficiencies on the condition that deficiencies be made up; credits earned in making up deficiencies do not count toward the master's degree.

Major Professor as Advisor

The student must have a major professor to advise and supervise studies as specified in Graduate School regulations; the student may not register for any courses without this advisor's prior approval. A student who is not assigned to an advisor at the time of admission should immediately contact the Program Director.

Credits and Courses

Minimum degree requirement in Performing Arts—Dance is 48 credits, of which at least 6 must be in complementary studies. Students may distribute the required 48 credits of course work as follows:

• Dance Techniques (modern, African, ballet, yoga), 6-14 cr.
• Creating and Performing Dance Works, 12-18 cr.
• Core Dance Studies, 12-18 cr.
• Electives in Complementary Studies, 6-14 cr.
• Final Project, 4-8 cr.
• Total Required: 48 Credits

For those who begin the program summer 2008 and thereafter, the minimum degree requirement in Performing Arts—Dance will be 60 credits distributed as follows, of which at least 6 must be in complementary studies.

• Dance Techniques and Somatics (Modern, African, Ballet, Alexander, Pilates, Yoga), 9-15 cr.
• Creating, Staging, and Performing Dance Works, 16-22 cr.
• Theory and Application of Dance, 12-18 cr.
• Electives in Complementary Studies, 6-14 cr.
• Final Project, 4-8 cr.

Final Project

Each student must undertake a final project of either one or two semesters duration (4-8 cr.). The project must be approved by the major advisor. The project may involve an array of challenging roles and/or production of choreographic work created by the student. These may occur in a variety of approved performance settings which may include on- or off-campus sites. The quality of performance and/or choreography will determine whether the degree is granted. This evaluation is made by the graduate faculty after the presentation of the final project. No comprehensive examination is required.

Time Limit

The student must complete all degree requirements within seven years of initial enrollment.

Master of Fine Arts in Performing Arts: Film

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The Department of Film offers a graduate program in film and video production concentrating on individual and collaborative film and video projects. Students in the graduate program work closely with film and video faculty as well as faculty members from a complementary area of study. The curriculum is designed for serious and talented students who are preparing for careers as professionals in film and video production as artists and artist-teachers. Facilities include a complete production studio including all tools and services necessary for in-house film and video. Students are expected to originate and produce finished projects on a regular basis, culminating in a thesis presentation. A portion of graduate study includes intern study with area media-related organizations and/or enterprises in order to develop specialized skills in actual practice.

Admission

An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements and the requirements listed below to be considered for admission to the program:

1. An undergraduate major in film including at least 40 studio production credits and at least 45 credits outside the major.
2. Submission of original films and other media-related work demonstrating a thorough familiarity with all technical aspects of 16mm film production and creative promise.

Applicants may be admitted with specific program-defined course deficiencies provided that the deficiencies amount to no more than two courses.

The student is expected to satisfy deficiency requirements within three enrolled semesters. The deficiencies are monitored by the Graduate School and the individual graduate program unit. No course credits earned in making up deficiencies may be counted as program credits required for the degree.

An applicant whose grade point average or quality of work does not meet Graduate School and program standards may be considered for admission on probation.

Transfer of Credits

An applicant who holds graduate credits in film from another institution may, upon admission and with program and Graduate School approval, be permitted to transfer to this program 40% of the total number of graduate credits required for the MFA program.

Major Professor as Advisor

The student must have a major professor to advise and supervise studies as specified in Graduate School regulations. In addition to an advisor from the Film Department Graduate Faculty, each student must select and gain consent from a faculty member representing the determined area of complementary study to advise the student on the construction of this program and its integration with the student's major course of work.

Credits and Courses

Minimum degree requirement is 48 credits, at least 12 of which must be in complementary courses. The distribution of coursework required is as follows:

12 credits in Graduate Film Studio/Seminar

12 credits in Complementary Studies (G or U/G courses)

9 credits in U/G or G Film Courses

6 credits in Professional Practice

6 credits in Graduate Thesis Studio

3 credits in Film Studies*

*Students electing the Film Studies option for complementary studies will have this course counted as one of the four necessary to complete the 12-credit complementary studies requirement. They must then increase their U/G or G Film courses by 3 credits to 12.

The student must earn at least 12 of the above credits through full-time attendance on campus in a single semester.

Thesis Presentation

Upon recommendation of the major professor and advisory faculty, the student presents a thesis exhibition program of work executed since admission to the program. The exhibition may be held either during the semester in which the student completes coursework for the degree or in the following semester.

Time Limit

The student must complete all degree requirements within seven years of the initial enrollment.

Courses - Dance

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Courses numbered 300-699 are Undergradute/Graduate. Courses numbered 700 and above are Graduate only.

319 Dance Service-Learning. 1-3 cr. U/G.

Service-Learning as field work in a community partnership setting under supervision of Dance faculty member. Conc reg in dance course which allows Dance 319 component by cons instr. May be retaken to max of 4 sem or 9 cr. Prereq: jr st; Dance 219(P), & cons instr.

403 Intermediate Yoga For Dancers. 2 cr. U/G.

A continuation of Dance 103 stressing the performance and integration of more advanced asanas. May be retaken for total of 6 cr. Prereq: Dance 103 or cons instr.

422 Intermediate African Dance. 2 cr. U/G.

A continuation of Dance 122, stressing intermediate skills and greater social cultural nuances. Prereq: Dance 122 or cons instr.

497 Study Abroad in Dance: (Subtitled). 1-12 cr. U/G.

Interdisciplinary and foundational learning in the area of world dance through interactions with and explorations in differing cultures and areas. May be retaken with change in topic to max of 12 cr. Prereq: jr st or cons instr; & acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.

701 (effective 05/19/2008) Dance Composition I. 3 cr. G.

An investigation of resources for discovering and inventing movement material, and for developing concepts and structures to give this material perceptual, emotional validity. Prereq: grad st in Dance component of MFA prog; conc reg Dance 733(C).

701 Dance Composition I. 2 cr. G.

An investigation of resources for discovering and inventing movement material, and for developing concepts and structures to give this material perceptual, emotional validity. Prereq: grad st in Dance component of MFA prog; conc reg Dance 733(C).

702 (effective 05/19/2008) Dance Composition II. 3 cr. G.

A continuation of Dance 701. Prereq: grad st; Dance 701(P), conc reg Dance 734(C).

702 Dance Composition II. 2 cr. G.

A continuation of Dance 701. Prereq: grad st; Dance 701(P), conc reg Dance 734(C).

711 Theory and Techniques of Ballet: Intermediate. 2 cr. G.

Technical study of classical ballet. May be repeated twice for cr. Prereq: grad st in Dance component of MFA prog & audition.

712 Theory and Techniques of Ballet: Intermediate. 2 cr. G.

A continuation of Dance 711. May be repeated twice for cr. Prereq: grad st; Dance 711 or audition.

717 Theory and Techniques of Contemporary Concert Dance: Intermediate. 2 cr. G.

An intensive course designed to develop understanding of the major techniques of contemporary concert dance. May be repeated twice for cr. Prereq: grad st in Dance component of MFA prog & audition.

718 Theory and Techniques of Contemporary Concert Dance: Intermediate. 2 cr. G.

A continuation of Dance 717. May be repeated twice for cr. Prereq: grad st; Dance 717 or audition.

721 Alexander Technique: Developmental Movement and Dance. 1-3 cr. G.

A hands-on exploration of the Alexander Technique and the Dart Procedures as they apply to advanced and professional dancers. Prereq: grad st in Dance component of MFA prog or cons instr

722 Alexander Technique Practicum. 1-3 cr. G.

Continuation of Dance 721 focusing on a more in-depth study and application of Alexander Technique for advanced dancers. Prereq: grad st in Dance component of MFA prog & Dance 721

723 Pilates Technique and Applications. 2 cr. G.

Use of Pilates method to understand and articulate essential concepts and theories of movement, and refine dance technique. May be retaken once. Prereq: grad st in MFA Dance Program or cons instr.

733 Improvisation. 1 cr. G.

Techniques and structures for improvisation--the development of processes for evolving movement material from an exploration of the dynamics of inter and intra-relationships, and environment. Prereq: grad st in Dance component of MFA prog & conc reg in Dance 701(C).

733 (effective 05/19/2008) Improvisation. 2 cr. G.

Techniques and structures for improvisation--the development of processes for evolving movement material from an exploration of the dynamics of inter and intra-relationships, and environment. Prereq: grad st in Dance component of MFA prog & conc reg in Dance 701(C).

734 (effective 05/19/2008) Improvisation. 2 cr. G.

A continuation of Dance 733. Prereq: grad st; Dance 733(P) & conc reg in Dance 702(C).

734 Improvisation. 1 cr. G.

A continuation of Dance 733. Prereq: grad st; Dance 733(P) & conc reg in Dance 702(C).

743 Dynamic Analysis of Movement I. 2 cr. G.

Exploration of personal patterning and discovery of movement sources at the body level. Incorporates material from bartenieff fundamentals, feldenkrais, and sweigard. Prereq: grad st in dance component of mfa prog.

744 Dynamic Analysis of Movement II. 2 cr. G.

A continuation of Dance 743. Advanced body level work, application of bartenieff fundamentals to dance technique. Prereq: grad st & Dance 743(P).

751 Laban Movement Analysis. 2-3 cr. G.

Theory and movement practice in effort/shape for use both in performance and in choreography. Prereq: grad st in dance component of mfa prog.

751 (effective 05/19/2008) Laban Movement Analysis. 3 cr. G.

Theory and movement practice in effort/shape for use both in performance and in choreography. Prereq: grad st in dance component of mfa prog.

761 Survey of Dance Literature and Bibliography. 3 cr. G.

Lecture, research, and discussion of the major English language dance reference works, and of dance research publications. Prereq: grad st in Dance component of MFA prog.

762 Dance in Secondary Education and College. 3 cr. G.

Methods and philosophy of teaching dance in the secondary school. Theory and practice in solving problems arising in practical teaching situations. Observation of dance lessons. Prereq: grad st & admis to MFA prog in Dance.

771 History of Renaissance and Baroque Dance. 3 cr. G.

Lecture, discussion of readings of the periods (in translation). Emphasis also upon performing some of the period dances. Prereq: grad st in dance component of mfa prog.

772 American Concert Dance of the Twentieth Century. 3 cr. G.

Graduate seminar in special topics of American concert dance of the twentieth century. Prereq: grad st in Dance component of MFA prog.

775 Valuing and Evaluation of Dance. 3 cr. G.

Observing and describing dancing and choreography and shaping values. Prereq: grad st.

790 Repertoire and Ensemble. 1-3 cr. G.

Practicum in group performance in dance department productions, touring groups, and performances related to the dance department. Includes original works from classical and contemporary repertoire. May be repeated to max of 12 cr. Prereq: grad st in Dance component of MFA program.

799 Independent Study. 1-3 cr. G.

Individual faculty and student will define the teaching/learning contract for the semester and agree on the credit. Prereq: grad st.

801 Choreography I. 1-3 cr. G.

Creating fully mounted works; choreography, performance quality, lighting decor, costumes. Cr determined by contract with chair prior to regis. Prereq: grad st in Dance choreography track of MFA prog; Dance 701(P) & 702(P) or cons instr.

801 (effective 05/19/2008) Choreography I. 3 cr. G.

Creating fully mounted works; choreography, performance quality, lighting decor, costumes. Prereq: grad st in Dance choreography track of MFA prog; Dance 701(P) & 702(P) or cons instr.

802 (effective 05/19/2008) Choreography II. 3 cr. G.

Creating fully mounted works of greater length and complexity. Prereq: grad st in Dance Choreography track of MFA prog; Dance 701(P), 702(P), 801(P), or cons instr.

802 Choreography II. 2-3 cr. G.

Creating fully mounted works of greater length and complexity. Prereq: grad st in Dance Choreography track of MFA prog; Dance 701(P), 702(P), 801(P), or cons instr.

861 Research Methodology for Dance. 3 cr. G.

Lecture, formulation of research proposal, research and write-up of a dance research problem. Prereq: grad st & admis to dance component of mfa prog.

871 Applied Anatomy for Dance. 2 or 3 cr. G.

Study of human bony and neuromuscular structures in theory and movement. Lec only for 2 cr; lec & lab for 3 cr. Prereq: grad st in dance component of MFA prog; Dance 711(P) & 717(P) or cons instr.

873 Field History: Contemporary Dance Festivals. 2-4 cr. G.

Research, reading, attendance and documentation on selected festivals/series events. Pre-study of choreography/performance style, background, influences, artistic themes. Group discussions and evaluations. May be repeated with permission to max of 9 cr. Prereq: grad st in Dance component of MFA prog.

880 Developing Performance Quality. 1-3 cr. G.

Studies in dynamics of specific choreography. Cr determined prior to regis. May be repeated for up to 6 cr. Prereq: grad st in MFA performance component of dance prog; Dance 711 & 717 or cons instr.

889 Special Workshops: (Subtitled). 1-3 cr. G.

Special short intensive workshops of 1-4 weeks during inter-terms or summer sessions presented by guest artists. May be retaken to 9 cr max. Prereq: grad st in MFA component of dance prog or cons instr.

890 Repertoire and Ensemble. 1-3 cr. G.

Practicum in major roles and productions of the department or related to the department. May be repeated to max of 6 cr. Prereq: grad st; admis to performance track of dance mfa curric; cons chair.

990 Dance Final Thesis/Project. 2-4 cr. G.

Final demonstration of craft and artistry mastered in program, when completion approved by project committee. May be repeated to max of 8 cr. Prereq: grad st; cons dept chair.

Courses - Film

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Courses numbered 300-699 are Undergradute/Graduate. Courses numbered 700 and above are Graduate only.

420 Intermediate Media Arts Module: (Subtitled). 3 cr. U/G.

Intermediate level course in specialized production skills in film, video, audio or new genres. May be retaken with change in topic to max of 9 cr. Prereq: admis to upper level course per portfolio review; jr st or cons instr. In case of over-enrollment, admission based on gpa in major.

450 Advanced Internship/Professional Practice. 1-6 cr. U/G.

This project-oriented course supports student engagement in professional internships, production of a media project for a non-profit organization or curating a media arts event/series. May be retaken to max of 9 cr. Prereq: admis to upper-level Film classes per portfolio review, cons instr.

455 Integrated Film/Video Exploration. 6 cr. U/G.

A study of the relationship between film/video production and film/video analysis, team taught by an artist and a critic. Jointly offered with ArtHist/English/JMC 310. Prereq: jr st. Film majors: portfolio review and/or cons instr; non-film majors: cons instr.

456 (effective 05/19/2008) Digital Photography: Advanced. 3 cr. U/G.

Self directed investigation, critiques and seminar discussions. Jointly offered with & counts as repeat of Art 456(455). Prereq: jr st; grade of B- or better in Art 350(P) or 352(252)(P); or grade of B or better in Film 350(P) or 352(P); or grad st; or cons instr.

460 Advanced Media Arts Module: (Subtitled). 3 cr. U/G.

Advanced-level course in specialized production skills in film, video, audio or new genres. May be retaken with change of topic to max of 9 cr. Prereq: admis to upper level course per portfolio review; jr st or cons instr. In case of over-enrollment, admission based on gpa in major.

470 Advanced Video Workshop: (Subtitled). 1-6 cr. U/G.

Emphasis on individual projects exploring portable and studio video production techniques. Students to submit production proposals for faculty approval. May be retaken to max of 6 cr. Prereq: jr st; admis to upper-level film classes per portfolio review, Film 389(P) with cons instr; or grad st.

552 Advanced Studio Practice in Photography. 3 cr. U/G.

Students define and pursue their own photographic project. Written requirements as well as a final portfolio required. Jointly offered with & counts as repeat of Art 552. Prereq: jr st; grade of B- or better in Art 451(351)(P), 454(P) or 456(455)(P) or grade of B or better in Film 451(P), 454(P) or 456(P); or grad st; or cons instr.

553 Photography Portfolio. 3 cr. U/G.

Continuation of Art 552 or Film 552 with emphasis on final presentation of project. Jointly offered with & counts as repeat of Art 553. Prereq: jr st; grade of B- or better in Art 552(P) or grade of B or better in Film 552(P); or grad st; or cons instr.

700 Professional Practice: Production. 3 cr. G.

Professional production internship with area film-related enterprise to develop specialized technical skills or practical experience in film exhibition. May be repeated to max of 6 cr. Prereq: grad st & cons advising faculty member.

710 Graduate Film Studio/Seminar I. 3 cr. G.

Each student to pursue a film production project to completion. Lectures and readings in seminar format to address issues facing independent film production and distribution. Prereq: grad st.

712 Graduate Film Studio/Seminar II. 3 cr. G.

Faculty advised film production studio course. Instruction in advanced production skills and directed reading relevant to the nature of proposed film projects. Prereq: grad st.

714 Graduate Film Studio/Seminar III. 3 cr. G.

Faculty advised film production studio course to introduce and familiarize students with specific crew member responsibilities of collaborative filmmaking. Prereq: grad st.

720 (effective 09/02/2008) Graduate Film/Video Workshop I. 1-6 cr. G.

Seminar/open studio focusing on conceptualization and production of student-initiated film/video projects. Each student will submit a project proposal to the instructor. This will be accompanied by a shooting schedule and reading list. May be retaken to max of 9 cr. Prereq: grad st film or cons instr.

720 Graduate Film/Video Workshop I. 1-6 cr. G.

Seminar/open studio focusing on conceptualization and production of student-initiated film/video projects. Each student will submit a project proposal to the instructor. This will be accompanied by a shooting schedule and reading list. May be retaken to max of 9 cr. Prereq: grad st film or cons instr.

722 Graduate Film/Video Workshop II. 1-6 cr. G.

Seminar/open studio. Continuation of Film 720. May be retaken to max of 9 cr. Prereq: Film 720.

730 Advanced Research in Film I. 3 cr. G.

Faculty advised, pre-production research leading to the completion of a shooting script and production schedule for the thesis film project. Prereq: grad st; two of the following: Film 710, 712 & 714.

732 Advanced Research in Film II. 3-6 cr. G.

Independent study with selected faculty member adviser for the production and post-production phase of the thesis film project. May be retaken to max of 6 cr. Prereq: grad st; Film 710(P), 712(P), 714(P), 730(P).

760 Film/Video Module: Post-Production Sound. 3 cr. G.

Course in sound post-production for the media arts. Prereq: grad st; cons instr.

799 Independent Graduate Study: (Subtitled). 1-6 cr. G.

Variable content. Supervised independent study, production and non-production for the grad student in film/video. May be repeated to max of 9 cr. Prereq: grad st; cons instr.