Theatre and Dance
Dance
Dance is an interdisciplinary art form that involves elements of theatre, music, design and the visual arts in a variety of cultural contexts. Instruction is available to students who wish to study dance as one of the liberal arts, as well as to those who aspire to professional careers in dance performance or related fields. The Dance Program challenges students to develop concentration skills, observational and analytical abilities and capacities for working with broad aesthetic concepts and fine details while developing their creative instincts. Solid foundations in modern, ballet, composition and repertory are designed to build strong technique and a sense of artistic expression, while exposure to non-Western dance forms encourages students to better understand other cultures through their performance traditions.
Requirements for the Major in Dance
Within the dance major, there are two areas of emphasis: Performance Studies and Movement Studies. The Performance emphasis, which requires technique study at the advanced level, culminates in a senior choreography/performance project, while the Movement Studies emphasis culminates in a senior project/written thesis which may or may not involve performance. Although encouraged to take technique throughout their four years, Movement Studies concentrators are not required to perform at the advanced level of technique and are advised to combine their work in dance with other disciplines. The department also offers a minor in dance.
Theatre
The Pomona College Theatre embodies the liberal arts education. Through the synthesis of body, mind and spirit, theatre celebrates the community of world cultures. In an atmosphere of freedom, discipline and passion, students, faculty and staff encounter intellectually and artistically great creations of the human spirit both in the classroom and in production.
Theatre at Pomona College serves students from five undergraduate colleges. It includes the study of performance, design and technology, dance, directing, theatre history, dramaturgy and dramatic literature. Theatre students become proficient in devising creative solutions to complex problems. They also develop sensitivity to the interpersonal relationships inherent in the collaborative process. Thus, they are prepared for a wide variety of careers in organizations and enterprises that value these qualities.
While encouraging such development in all its students, the department also prepares majors for further study on the graduate or professional performance level. Many graduates of the department have become successful members of the professional community as actors, dancers, directors, designers, producers, writers, dramaturgs, teachers, and administrators. The department presents several major productions each year. The department is also the home for a dynamic season of student productions. Student performers and production personnel are drawn from majors and non-majors alike from all the Claremont Colleges.
Requirements for the Major in Theatre
Theatre majors may choose one of the following emphases: a General Theatre, Performance, Design, or Dramaturgy/Playwriting (history, criticism, theory and dramatic literature).
Students majoring in theatre are expected to participate actively in the department production program, which normally includes four major productions, a dance concert and a number of student-directed productions. Theatre majors are
also expected to attend workshops, lectures and other events sponsored by the department as part of their educational enrichment.
Theatre and Dance in the Pitzer College course catalog