Consider having no final exam, but being asked to organize, choreograph and produce a dance performance.
Welcome to Theatre 454: Choreography and Dance Production.
The class teaches students the process of creating a show, from inspiration to rehearsal to execution. And after choreographing exercises and individual pieces throughout the semester, Professor Dixie Durr turns her students loose to produce an entire dance recital.
Allison Ouellette, a theater junior with a dance specialization, said Durr gave the class a performance space but is not involved with the process.
“The show is all student-run, but as professional as possible,” she said.
Six choreographed pieces in various styles, including Celtic, rock ballet and a dance described as having a “jungle feel,” were chosen within the class.
But the choreographers aren’t the only positions needed. Other classmates handle stage managing, production and publicity.
“Some girls in publicity have marketing or business backgrounds,” Ouellette said. “They can incorporate their major into dance.”
Durr, who also chairs the Department of Theatre, said she believes the final project is more effective than a final exam.
“People can memorize and regurgitate, but they can’t put it into practice,” she said. “There is no better way to learn than hands-on - it serves as a bridge to the real world.”
Nicole Earley, an elementary education senior who took Durr’s class two years ago, agrees. She said she actively uses skills from the class while teaching classes at the Conservatory for Dance Arts in Charlotte.
“The class helped me look at the design of dances from a bigger perspective than moves, to go beyond technique and come up with my own movement,” she said.
Earley auditioned for the show this year because her sister is choreographing for the concert. Besides, she wanted to work in a student show.
“Student choreographers bring more creativity to the dances and we can relate to their choreography more,” she said.
The dance concert will be performed at 7:30 p.m. April 25 and 8 p.m. April 26 at the Arena Theatre in the Auditorium. Admission is $3.
