Theatre, Performance Studies, and Dance

(770) 499-3123

The Department of Theatre, Performance Studies and Dance at Kennesaw State University supports the liberal arts mission of the University by engaging students as artists, scholars, and active citizens in their social worlds. Students learn through praxis, encountering performance as the intersection of rigorous critical investigation and practical, engaged, learning. Taking a uniquely holistic view of performance to include the realms of theatrical production, storytelling, dance, performance art, and everyday life, the department challenges students to recognize performance as a method of analysis, a mode of inquiry, and a creative and aesthetic act.

Our program offers a wide range of courses dedicated to developing students as scholar-artists, viewing both live performance as scholarship and writing as a creative act. The program provides opportunities for students to create, witness, and critique performances based on a variety of sources: from dramatic scripts and classical choreography to literary and folk traditions, original ethnographic field research, and contemporary movement. Inherent within this premise lies an ardent commitment to provide global learning opportunities to students as vital to their individual and social growth. It is the department’s mission to push the discipline forward in integrating theatre, dance and performance studies approaches, offering for our campus and our community a broad spectrum of voices, cultures, texts, periods, and styles of performance experiences.

The department offers two degree programs: the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Performance Studies and the Bachelor of Arts in Dance.

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Performance Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Performance Studies is fully accredited by NAST (the National Association of Schools of Theatre). Accreditation follows a rigorous evaluation process that includes self-study and peer review. The major provides student artists with a foundation in theatre as an historic, global, and aesthetic form, through the study of a variety of performance texts and styles, from classical and modern drama to musical theatre, folk and literary narratives, performance art, and classical and contemporary poetry. Emphasizing the interrelationship between theory and praxis, the major prepares students for entry into the profession or for graduate study in theatre or other related fields. The Department of Theatre, Performance Studies, and Dance offers a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Performance Studies, with concentrations in acting, performance studies, musical theatre and design/technology.

Admission Requirements

High school GPA requirement of 2.5 or higher for entering first-year freshmen. College GPA requirement of 3.0 or higher for entering transfers and currently-enrolled KSU students seeking a change in major.

Bachelor of Arts in Dance

The Department of Theatre, Performance Studies and Dance also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Dance, with concentrations in modern, ballet and jazz. Students audition to be accepted into the dance major through three regularly scheduled auditions every year. A balanced curriculum of dance theory and practice, ensure the departmental commitment to training scholar-artists and preparing students to be successful in the professional world. Through the KSU Dance Company, students have the ability to audition and work at a pre-professional level. Guest artists and choreographers complement our program and expose students to professionals in the field. Our exclusive educational partnership with Atlanta Ballet and community partnerships with several leading dance organizations in the metro Atlanta area, provide internship and employment opportunities for our students and graduates.

Audition Requirements: BA in Dance

All students entering the dance major program must demonstrate technical and artistic aptitude capable of successfully completing the program of study. The audition process will consist of a 30-minute ballet barre, followed by a short center-floor modern/jazz combination, and a final across-the-floor ballet, modern or jazz combination.

Students must bring appropriate footwear to the audition. The program recommends that women wear black leotards and pink tights, and men wear black tights or shorts and tanks to the audition. The dance studio will be available 30 minutes prior to the audition for students to warm-up.

Following the audition class, students will receive detailed program information and have the opportunity to discuss their interests with the dance faculty. Students are not required to prepare a solo combination for the audition. Students will be notified about acceptance into the program within two weeks following the audition. To register for an audition and receive audition information, students must visit the dance website: www.kennesaw.edu/theatre/dance/dance_auditions.shtml

Dance minor students are NOT REQUIRED to audition for admission into the dance minor degree program. This audition requirement is only for students entering the dance major degree program.

All dance majors must secure KSU university admission in addition to being accepted into the dance major degree program. Students who have not yet secured university admission at the time of the dance major audition, will be granted admission into the dance major degree program contingent upon their KSU university admission.

To schedule a special audition (for students who are unable to attend the regularly scheduled audition due to unavoidable circumstances), please contact the Director of the Program in Dance at 770-423-6789.

KSU Dance Company Auditions

Auditions for the KSU Dance Company are reserved for dance majors and minors. The auditions are held every semester during the first week of classes. Students who are accepted into the company are required to register for DANC 2713 (Dance Production- 2 credits) immediately following the audition. All company members are required to attend a mandatory company technique class that is held on Wednesday’s from 3:30 – 5 p.m. Rehearsals begin at 3:30 every day and run till 7:30 p.m. Students are required to attend one regularly scheduled rehearsal per week for each of the pieces in which they are cast. Casting is based on technical ability and schedule availability. Students interested in auditioning for the KSU Dance Company are encouraged to be available after 3:30 p.m. M-Th. For additional information visit the dance website:
www.kennesaw.edu/theatre/dance/dance_company_auditions.shtml