Dance at Spelman is a critical and creative thinking laboratory that nurtures women of the African Diaspora. Students investigate intersections of experimental creative practices, cultural discourse, and technology. In keeping with the College's focus on social justice and innovation, the department's theory and composition classes fuse technology and womanist theory along with other social discourse. The curriculum centers on the choreographic process through the lens of Black feminist theories, contemporary dance techniques, and interdisciplinary collaborative practice. Please refer to the latest dance performance and choreography major requirements for full requirements and course descriptions.
(Fulfills Wellness Credits for non-majors and for majors - after completing 7 credits)
The Spelman Dance Theatre provides opportunities for students to learn from and perform with innovative professional choreographers.
The dance major consists of 50 semester credits. The major is divided into four areas: Technique, Theory, Choreographic Process, and Performance. Students majoring in dance are required to take seven technique classes, including Improvisation, all of the courses in the Theory and Choreographic Process areas, four semesters of Dance Performance-the academic frame for Spelman Dance Theatre (SDT)-and two major electives.
All 1 credit dance technique classes may be taken to fulfill the Wellness Requirement for non-dance majors and minors. For dance majors and minors, all 1 credit dance technique classes may be taken to fulfill the Wellness Requirement for dance majors after completion of your required technique credits.
All first and second year dance majors must take arts division seminar (0 credits).
7 credits total
19 credits total
12 credits total
4 credits total
SDAN 200 Dance Performance (Spelman Dance Theatre) (1)
8 credits total
The following courses meet the Divisional Arts Requirement
Fall
Total Credits = 18
Spring
Total Credits = 18
Fall
Total Credits = 15
Spring
Total Credits = 15
Fall
Total Credits = 13
Spring
Total Credits = 10
Fall
Total Credits = 15
Spring
Total Credits = 13
Chita Rivera Outstanding Female Dancer on Broadway 2022 as Lady in Brown in the Tony Nominated Broadway Revival of for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf, Tendayi Kuumba, C'2010, is an international dancer, choreographer, singer,songwriter and Spelman College grad.
Additionally in recent years, Kuumba was an original cast member background vocalist/dancer of Special Tony Award-Winning David Byrne’s American Utopia on Broadway as well as its World Tour since 2018 and the HBO Film adaptation directed by Spike Lee. A former touring company member of Urban Bush Women, Tendayi is a longtime collaborator with partner Greg Purnell under the alias UFLYMOTHERSHIP. Together they build sonic/choreographic projects. These projects include Heroiné, Incog-negro, U.F.O: Stardust Melanin, U.F.O “The Mixtape” and “The Adventures of Mr Left Brain & Ms Right” from their recent Bloodlines commission by the Petronio Residency Center.
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