Theatre: Dance & Movement Major | Baldwin Wallace University

Overview

Explore and articulate your creative physicality as you develop the technical and theatrical skills needed to prepare you for a successful career in the arts.

Baldwin Wallace’s dance and movement program is a comprehensive, rigorous study in both theatre and dance. It includes intensive studio instruction in ballet, jazz, modern, tap and hip hop dance as well as theatrical training in acting, stagecraft, makeup, and costume and lighting design.

Exceptional Learning Experiences

You’ll develop your whole-body-instrument as you learn to physically articulate a role or character, or interpret music with imagination, flair and authenticity. You’ll be introduced to innovative modes of dance and movement that challenge you as a dancer and expand your technical skills and creative vision.

Faculty Focused on Your Success

Small class sizes, individual attention and faculty mentoring are hallmarks of the program. BW faculty are working professionals with decades of real-world experience and contacts at regional and national arts organizations.

A vibrant display of student achievement, BW's fyoo zh en dance concert unites student choreographers, composers, dancers and designers in a spectacular event.
Theatre and dance majors have opportunities to work on a wide range of theatrical styles and genres, including opera, music theatre, new and classical works.
"Romeo and Juliet" - Fall 2014
Students study alongside guest and resident designers who are working professional theatre artists.
"What is Love?" - a devised play based on "Romeo and Juliet" - Fall 2014
Entirely student written and conceived, this production represents one of the many ways BW students benefit from exceptional hands-on learning opportunities. Technical skill, innovation, creativity and a commitment to new works are hallmarks of the theatre major.
Faculty-student collaboration
One-on-one coaching and mentoring are at the heart of BW's theatre major.

Four Specialized Programs of Study

At BW, theatre and dance majors can focus their studies in acting and directing, design and technical, stage management, and dance and movement. All programs include a solid foundation of courses designed to give students a comprehensive overview of theatre.

Study Theatre in London

Heighten your understanding and appreciation of British theatre through a study abroad experience. The program is a three-week, credit-earning immersion course in British theatre that includes a nine-day trip to London. It is led by BW theatre faculty.

Career Opportunities

Dancer
Actor
Artistic director
Arts manager
Dance instructor
Choreographer
Dance therapist

Theatre Productions

Baldwin Wallace's theatre and dance department produces two main stage productions and a series of one-acts each semester. Productions include musicals, operas, plays and a dance concert.

Performances for the 2020-21 season will be streamed for viewing, no in-person audience.

Mainstage Series 2020-21

Spring Awakening
Music by Duncan Sheik, Book and Lyrics by Steven Sater
Directed by Victoria Bussert
Choreography by Gregory Daniels
Music Direction by Matthew Webb
Nov. 11 – 22, 2020

fyoo zh en '21
Directed by Sara Whale
March 24 – 28, 2021
Inspired by research of a BW professor

She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen
Directed by Keira McDonald
April 29 - May 3, 2021

Studio Series

Stupid F##king Bird by Arron Posner
Directed by New Directing Faculty
Oct. 28 – Nov. 1, 2020

Men On Boats by Jaqulyn Backhaus
Directed by Anjanette Hall
March 31 – April 4, 2021

Lab Series

Devised Blues: Uncut and Funky
Directed by Jeannine Gaskin
September 30, 2020 – October 4, 2020

Muses Anonymous
Adapted and directed by Sara Whale
Oct. 29 – Nov. 1, 2020

Staged Reading: A Staged Reading
Written and Directed by Sam Sommer
Feb. 19 - 21, 2021

Testing Ground: Danceworks-in-Progress
Directed by Sara Whale
April 28, 2021

Staged Reading Series

Blue Stockings
By Jessica Swale
Directed by Martin Friedman
September 18 & 19, 2020

Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom by Jennifer Haley
Directed by Martin Friedman
March 19 - 20, 2021

CURRICULUM

Offered as a major and a minor, BW’s theatre and dance program has four areas of focus: acting and directing, design and technical, stage management, and dance and movement. BW also offers a major in music theatre through its Conservatory of Music and a BFA in acting.

The theatre major provides a broad perspective of the literature, history and creative practices of the discipline. Courses prepare students to appreciate and participate in theatre at all levels of performance, production, direction, design and management.

You can study acting, directing, voice and movement, scenic and costume design, lighting, stage management, theatre history and more. You also can take special seminars in contemporary topics.

The theatre major prepares students to:

Develop an awareness and appreciation of theatre and/or dance as art forms and as a vital asset to society
Acquire competency in their chosen area of study
Acquire an understanding of the history of the theatre and/or dance including its literature and criticism
Develop responsible standards of criticism regarding the aesthetics of theatre and/or dance
Develop research skills/techniques applicable to scholarly and/or production needs
Develop an understanding of the collaborative nature of theatre and/or dance by active participation in production work within the program

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

With an emphasis on experiential learning within a liberal arts environment, the BW Department of Theatre and Dance blends artistic excellence with innovation. You are encouraged to attend and participate in BW’s numerous theatre and dance productions. Also beneficial to your studies and networking opportunities is BW’s connection to Cleveland and its vibrant performing arts community, a quick 20-minute drive from campus.

Performance Opportunities

Baldwin Wallace produces main-stage and one-act productions, in addition to dance performances that include:

fyoo zh en: new music + dance

Each year, choreographers and composers collaborate to create an original, movement-based production that takes its inspiration from a BW professor’s academic research. This experience challenges these aspiring artists to create meaningful and imaginative work based on real-world topics.

Testing Ground: Danceworks in Progress

Testing Ground is a biannual event that offers developing choreographers an opportunity to present their work and receive feedback from both the audience and invited dance professionals from the Greater Cleveland area. The performance is designed to encourage dance artists to go back to the studio armed with positive feedback that can improve their work.

Student Organizations

Theatre Arts and Performance

This organization supports student theatre artists and those interested in theatre on campus. It informs students of events and opportunities in theatre, maintains an open forum for student ideas and projects, and raises awareness of on- and off-campus theatrical events.

Facilities

The BW Department of Theatre and Dance is located in Kleist Center for Art and Drama. It houses two theatres: Mainstage Theatre and Black Box Theatre.

The Mainstage Theatre is a large 512-seat proscenium theatre. The stage has a 67-foot fly loft with a counterweight system. The stage opening is 44' by 24' with an extended 15-foot apron, ample wings and depth measuring 30 feet. This facility also boasts a new lighting system installed by ETC. With over 200 dimmers, lights are operated on an Emphasis board including a WYSIWYG program.

The Black Box Theatre is a smaller, flexible theatre with seating between 100-250. This unique studio space is intended to provide a variety of seating arrangements, including proscenium, three-quarter-thrust and in-the-round. The theatre has a balcony around three sides and a lighting grid 23 feet above the stage floor. This space also boasts a new Strand Century Lighting system with a 520 series light board.

Off-Campus Experiences

Baldwin Wallace's close proximity to Cleveland and its nationally ranked arts organizations offers outstanding learning and performance opportunities. BW students worked with: