Requirements

Theater and Dance Major

The major consists of ten credits (eleven if a student pursues honors).

Theater Concentration

Required Courses
Two introductory theater courses at the 1000 level2
One theater course in design or stagecraft at the 13XX level1
Two theater courses at the 2000 level2
One dramatic literature course a1
One performance theory course at the 2000 level or higher, such as THTR 2410, 2500—2599 or 3500—3599 or DANC 2500—2599 or 3500—35991
One elective at the 2000 level or higher theater or dance1
One elective at the 3000 level in theater1
One capstone credit at the 3000 level or higher b1

Dance Concentration

Required Courses
Two credits of dance technique courses, one of which must be at the 2000 level or higher, such as:2
DANC 1104
Dance Improvisation: Practices, Forms, and Structures
DANC 1211
Introduction to Modern Dance
DANC 1213
Introduction to Caribbean Dances and Cultures
DANC 2204
Intermediate Improvisation and Partnering
DANC 2211
Modern Dance II: Technique
DANC 2221 Intermediate Ballet and Beyond
DANC 2241
Afro-Modern II Techniques and Histories
DANC 3211
Advanced Modern Dance
DANC 3212
Advanced Repertory and Performance
DANC 3223
Advanced Dancing for Challenging Times
Two credits of creative process, of which one must be at the 2000 level or higher, such as:2
DANC 1101
Making Dances in the Digital Age
DANC 2401
Choreography for Dancers: Improvisation and Invention
DANC 3210
Movement, Breath, and Healing: The Politics and Practices of Self-Care
DANC 3242
Advanced Afro-Modern: Dancing Towards Social Change
DANC 3404
Dancing Place: Choreographies of Belonging
Two credits of repertory courses at the 2000 level or higher, such as: 2
DANC 1212 Modern I: Repertory & Performance
DANC 2212
Modern II: Repertory and Performance
DANC 2242 Afro-Modern II: Repertory & Performance
DANC 3212
Advanced Repertory and Performance
DANC 3222 Modern IV: Repertory & Performance
DANC 3405 Advanced Dance-Theater Company: Repertory and Performance
Two performance theory classes, of which one must be at the 2000 level or higher, such as DANC 1500—1599, DANC 2500—2599 or 3200—3299, or THTR 2500—2599 or 3200—32992
One elective in dance or theater at any level1
One capstone credit at the 3000 level or higher a1

Interdisciplinary Concentration

Required Courses
Three courses at the introductory level; one in dance (1000—1299, 1400—1999), one in theater (1000—1299, 1400—1999), and one in design or stagecraft (1300—1399)3
One theater course at the 2000 level1
One dance course at the 2000 level1
One dramatic literature course a1
One Performance Theory class at the 2000 level or higher that examines formal and informal performance as a way to interpret the world. THTR 2410, 2500—2599 or DANC 2500—2599, THTR 3500—3599 or DANC 3500—3599
One elective in theater or dance at the 2000 level or higher1
One elective in theater or dance at the 3000 level1
One capstone credit at the 3000 level or higher b1

Theater Minor

The minor consists of five credits to include the following required courses:

One course at the 1000 level (1000—1049, 1100—1399, 1501—1599)
One history/theory course (THTR 1501—1599, 2500—2599, 3500—3599)
Three additional courses, including at least two taken at the 2000 level or above c

Dance Minor

The minor consists of five credits to include the following required courses:

Select one creative process course:1
DANC 1101
Making Dances in the Digital Age
DANC 1102
Cultural Choreographies: An Introduction to Dance
DANC 1104
Dance Improvisation: Practices, Forms, and Structures
DANC 2401
Choreography for Dancers: Improvisation and Invention
One history/theory course (DANC 1501—1599; THTR 1501—1599, 2500—2599, 3500—3599)1
Select one full credit of studio technique courses:1
DANC 1211
Introduction to Modern Dance
DANC 2211
Modern Dance II: Technique
DANC 2221 Intermediate Ballet and Beyond
DANC 2241
Afro-Modern II Techniques and Histories
DANC 3221 Modern IV: Technique
Select one full credit of repertory and performance courses:1
DANC 1212 Modern I: Repertory & Performance
DANC 2212
Modern II: Repertory and Performance
DANC 3212
Advanced Repertory and Performance
DANC 3222 Modern IV: Repertory and Performance
One elective (DANC 1000—3999)1

Interdisciplinary Major

The department participates in an interdisciplinary major in English and theater. See the Interdisciplinary Majors.

Additional Information and Department Policies

  • Students may not count more than one full credit toward major or minor requirements from courses graded Credit/D/Fail Only.
  • Students must earn a grade of C- or better to have a course count toward major or minor requirements.
  • Students may earn a grade of CR (credit) in THTR 1700 Department Production and have it count toward major or minor requirements. We no longer offer half credit courses.
  • Typically, one course taken at another college or university may count toward the major or minors with departmental approval. No more than one course taken outside the department may be counted toward the major or minors, except by advance departmental permission.
  • One course cannot fulfill more than one requirement for the major or minors.
  • One first-year writing seminar can count toward the major and minors.
  • One credit of independent study can count toward the major or either minor.  If a student elects to pursue an independent study to fulfill their capstone for the major, two credits of independent study can count toward the major.
  • Deadlines for Honors proposals are due May 1 for students beginning their senior year in the fall and December 1 for students beginning their senior year in the spring.
  • No credit is given for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate.
  • Majors and minors may not double-count any courses with another department or program.

Information for Incoming Students

Dance

  • Students with little or no dance experience should enroll in: DANC 1101 Making Dances in the Digital Age  or DANC 1105 Introduction to Hip-Hop . These courses are open to all students regardless of experience and do not have any prerequisites.
  • Students with previous dance experience may enroll in an upper level course by audition: DANC 3211 Advanced Modern Dance. Please reach out to Professor Aretha Aoki for more information.

Theater

  • Students with or without prior experience in theater should enroll in: THTR 1201 Acting I: Developing Presence or THTR 1302 Principles of Design. Please note that these courses fulfill a requirement in the theater major concentration and should be completed as early as possible.
  • Auditions for the spring 2025 department production will occur during the fall 2024 semester.  Interested students should contact Rani Long for more information. Auditions will be publicized on the student digests. 

This is an excerpt from the official Bowdoin College Catalogue and Academic Handbook. View the Catalogue