Dance

Performance Ensembles //

Students perform every semester, starting as incoming majors with the Freshmen Company where they experience the creation of a new work with a faculty member. Later opportunities include membership in the Repertory Dance Companies (I & II), Performance Project ensemble, Dance Gala concerts, screen dance, and more

• Freshman Company: As a “Freshman Company” member, incoming students will rehearse with a faculty member and set a new dance with the Company. Students will be exposed to the collaborative nature of modern dance choreography—preparing them to successfully audition for our other performance ensembles. The Freshman Repertory Company performs excerpts of their dance at High School Dance Day and the entire dance at the December Student Showcase concert.
• Repertory Dance Company I & II: The USM Repertory Dance Companies (RDC I & II) provide opportunities for dance majors to gain valuable performance experience and to become further prepared for professional careers in dance. RDC assessment standards are built on the rigorous expectations of the professional field in the areas of skills, knowledge and dispositions required. RDC I performs in all major program concerts and works with faculty, student, and guest choreographers. Members of RDC II perform in a variety of venues, and are formally mentored by a dance faculty member throughout the semester-long process.
• Performance Project: This course, offered every fall term, is led by a dance faculty member and often includes performance in non-traditional stage spaces and environments (site-specific work, etc.). Performance coaching for a proscenium setting is sometimes incorporated as well.

Choreography Series //

Students explore dance making through a series of courses in improvisation, composition, and choreography. In composition, they learn the nuts and bolts of dance making through creating solos and groups works. In choreography, dancers work in semester-long processes setting work on our Repertory Dance Company.

Teaching //

All students study teaching methods for dance and can choose to specialize in dance education studies. Dance Ed. majors are prepared to enter the field through careful mentorship and a series of dance-specific and professional education courses that culminate in a semester-long student teaching experience and K-12 Licensure.

Internships //

• An individualized internship in the professional dance world is a requirement for all majors. Internships are developed in conjunction with the student’s adviser with the purpose of furthering the education and exposure to an area of professional interest for the student.
• Recent internship opportunities include participating in: USM’s British Studies Dance Program in London, the American Dance Festival, Mark Morris Dance Group’s winter intensive, the International Association of Black Dance conference, lead intern for the Mississippi Dance Festival, and choreographing for summer stock musical performances. Additional opportunities in dance education, dance therapy, arts administration, marketing, and more are available.

Scholarships and Awards //

• Service Awards: The dance program offers service awards to students who submit a successful application. Applications are accepted in the spring for the following academic year. Service awardees are assigned tasks within the dance program that include: managing social media accounts, collecting the mail, setting up the lobby display for concerts, cleaning out costume storage, coordinating the sale of USM dance t-shirts, assisting with duties for guest artist residencies, etc. These awards range from $100-$500.
• Foundation Awards: Foundation Awards are our named scholarships chosen by the dance faculty. These awards range from $200-$1000. Faculty decides on these awards based on need and talent. Apply for Scholarships
• Jim Clinton Award: This award is for summer study at a festival, conference, or workshop. Students apply for this award in the spring semester. This award ranges from $200-$800.
• Department Special Scholarships: Department Special Scholarships are awarded by the dance faculty for talented and needy students who apply. These awards range from $1,500-$8,000. These scholarships are exclusive and competitive.
• Outstanding This and That Awards: Outstanding This and That awards are faculty chosen awards to recognize the hard work of our majors. They include Outstanding Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, and Dance Educator. These awards are announced at the end of the spring semester.

Revelry //

A multi-arts event celebrating the artistic work of faculty and students in the School of Performing and Visual Arts at Southern Miss, which boasts over 50 events. Special programming of artistic and creative activities for the week include master classes, workshops, guest and visiting artists, family-friendly events, and formal productions. This multi-arts week has been an opportunity for the programs in the School of Performing and Visual Arts, including Art and Design, Dance, and Theatre, to collaborate and build community within the School and throughout Hattiesburg.

Study Abroad //

On British Studies, London becomes the students’ classroom as they experience dance and movement sciences abroad first-hand and conduct research supervised by their professor. Learn More

How to Audition //

Our Dance program is currently accepting dance major application materials via an online form, with an option to physically audition in person or via video submission. When submitting the audition form, please select if you are auditioning online (via video) or in-person.