In step with the times

Dancers at Connecticut College find an overwhelmingly supportive environment for their craft, whether student, guest artist or professional performer. Student and faculty dance concerts captivate audiences, as do the world-class performances brought to us by the onStage performing arts series.

Internationally renowned dancers and choreographers comprise our faculty: David Dorfman, Shani Collins Achille, Heidi Henderson, Lisa Race, Shawn Hove, Rosemarie Roberts and Marya Ursin. The centerpiece of the dance department is the recognition of the importance of an individual's interaction with the world as a whole person, not just as an artist.

Once home to the American Dance Festival, from 1948-77, the College provided an environment for many well-known American artists, nurturing the development of contemporary dance in America, with 173 new works premiered. Works by notable 20th century American artists like Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, Eric Hawkins, Sophie Maslow, José Limòn, Merce Cunningham, Helen Tamaris, Paul Taylor, Alvin Ailey, Twyla Tharp, Laura Dean and Trisha Brown, among others, first came to life at the College. In years since, our forward-focused dance department has facilitated international projects and other activities that support the curriculum:

  • David Dorfman Dance was permanently named company-in-residence at Connecticut College in 2007.
  • Dance students have the opportunity to perform in at least 4 dance productions each year.
  • Each semester, a guest artist works with students in a two-week residency, where they teach classes and choreograph works with students to be performed in department concerts. Recent guest artists include: Alexandra Beller, Doug Elkins, Jeremy Nelson and Eddie Taketa.
  • Each year students participate in the American College Dance Festival Association's New England Conference. The Connecticut College dance department hosted this event in 2008 and 2012.
  • The multi-faceted, multi-year Yunnan-Mekong Project to research, support and present the cultural traditions of Yunnan China and the Mekong countries culminated with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in the summer of 2007.
  • In 2006, the department received the Dance/USA National College Choreography Initiative Grant, where students worked with guest artist Eddie Taketa on a restaging of Doug Varone's, "Of the Earth Far Below."
  • Two TRIPs (Travel, Research, and Immersion Program) to Asia involved the dance department: In 2000, a 21-day tour to Shanghai and Yunnan Province in China, in 2002, a 19-day border-crossing TRIP from Vietnam to China collaborating with the art history and government departments.
  • The 1998 International Dance Festival took place at the College.


 

Dance

Capstone - Group Shots-1
Jess Rush

Senior Capstone Dance Concert: "Precedented. (our connection is unstable)"

The Dune and Virtually

Thursday April 15th, Saturday April 17th, and Sunday April 18th, 2021 at 7:30pm

The Connecticut College Senior Dance Majors are proud to present the 2021 Senior Capstone performance, PRECEDENTED. (our connection is unstable). This year's show is like no other, featuring choreography in the form of both live performances and DanceFilms. Our campus is COVID safe and is closed to the general public. Join us via Zoom to watch student work by the senior dance majors, Sydney Bryan, Darriana Greer, Journee Hardaway, Elisa Kennedy, Riley Myhaver, Lindsey Perlman, Mara Senecal-Albrecht, Ayana Sequira, and Ryley Young. PRECEDENTED. (our connection is unstable) will also feature choreography from guest artists Annie Rigney and Shakia “The Key” Barron as well as faculty works from Professors Shani Collins and Shawn Hove.

PRECEDENTED. (our connection is unstable) will be held at The Dune, located on Tempel Green at Connecticut College for the on-campus community.

Thursday April 15th, Saturday April 17th, and Sunday April 18th, 2021 at 7:30pm

This event is FREE, no ticket purchase required. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the performances are ONLY open to the Connecticut College campus community and will be available for streaming via Zoom.

For Streaming:
Please reference our Google website, on the day of the show, by scanning the QR code below, visiting the Connecticut College Dance Department FaceBook page and or the Connecticut College website by searching “Dance Performances”.

For In-Person:
Please bring masks, blankets, and warm layers (temperatures will most likely be in the mid 40ºFs to 50ºFs), lawn-chairs are optional but will not be provided.

Along with your amazing Support and Love of Dance.

Social Distancing protocols apply to this event.

Enjoy the show!

Free Admission

Purchase tickets
 

Dance

Alternative Spaces/Conn Coll Dances: Reach

Connectictut College Arboretum Stage

Sunday, Oct. 18, 6 & 7 p.m.

Choreography by Lisa Race in collaboration with the performers
Set & Lighting by Shawn Hove
Music: Michael Wall, Lea Bertucci, Mavrothi T. Kontanis
 
Performers: Moqu Alqudah, Alyssa Bodmer, Alyssa Gutierrez, Elisa Kennedy, Zion Martin-Hayes, Lindsey Perlman, Sam Siewertsen, Tali Surek, Elisabeth Wales
 
Pre-show performance by Richard Schenck & friends
 
Open to the general public
 
Audiences can spread out on the grassy seating area to view the dance. Please bring a towel, blanket, or portable chair for your comfort if you wish to be seated during the performance. Social distancing and face masks are required.
 

Free Admission (General Admission)