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

Make Granny Great Again (MGGA): A Coup d'Espace Experience - in Previews

Ammerman Center for Arts and Technology, 768 Williams Street

Thursday and Friday, January 22 and 23, 2026, 6:00 P.M.; Saturday, January 24, 2026, 2:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M.

Award winning Director/Choreographer Stefanie Batten Bland merges students and professionals together in our first immersive creation. Resistance of erasure begins at Granny's.

Co-sponsored by Dance and the Ammerman Center for Arts and Technology. Supported by NDP and Creative Capital.

Please note: We recognize this event may not be fully accessible for all community members. The space requires walking outdoors, navigating steps and includes standing for extended periods of time.  We welcome your access questions and will do our best to support participation.  Please contact The Dance Department at dance@conncoll.edu

Admission is free but reservations will be required. 
Once you make a reservation, you will receive further instructions from Granny.

Reservations no longer available.

Free Admission (Reserved Seating)

 

Dance

Student Works Concert

Myers Studio, College Center at Crozier-Williams

Friday, February 13, 2026, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, February 14, 2026, 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Featuring original works by Connecticut College students. Choreography by: Tessa Bielak, Ainsley Bogel, Taylor Cooper, Dani Crosta, Ava Dobro, Gracie Donabella-Pedlow, Lily Fryling, Sam Hawley, Faith Hidenfelter, Maya Katsovich, maxx.moves, Claire Mental, Ava Mormile, Mia Penasa, Heide Reeh, Stella Ridolfi, Chloe Schlesselman, Maia Siden, Bridgette Silva, Andrew Solomon, Marika Stellwagen, Abby Wagner, Sam Walker, Grace Webb, Luke Weidner

Tickets no longer available.

Tickets: $12; Seniors: $6; FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS WITH ID: FREE (General Admission)

 

Dance

Dance Department Senior Capstone Concert

Athey Center, Palmer Auditorium

Friday, April 17, 2026, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 18, 2026, 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The Connecticut College Department of Dance presents the 2026 Senior Capstone Concert: restless persuasion with choreography by dance majors from the class of 2026. 

Shows are divided into parts A, B and C:

Friday, April 17, with parts A&B at 7:30 pm
Saturday, April 18 at 2 pm with parts B&C
Saturday, April 18 at 7:30 pm with parts A&C

Part A: Alison Custer, Claire Mental, Gabriela Miotto-Leal, Ava Norris 
Part B: Ava Dobro, Kiera Franciskovich, Emma Linder, Sophia Williams
Part C: Emily Brankman, Annika Hoag, Ariel Eve Barocas Mayer, Sierra Mayoral
All shows include work by Guest Artist Shakia "The Key" Barron & Conn Faculty Lisa Race 

Purchase Tickets

Tickets: $12; Seniors: $6; FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS WITH ID: FREE (General Admission)