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.
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.