Dance

Culver’s very own dance company, Dancevision, is a performance dance experience, coupling classwork and choreography with guest artist residencies to craft a group of well rounded, quality dancers who receive a letter of achievement sweater and pin annually. Many dancers pursue and accomplish Honors in Dance in the senior year.

What is Dancevision?

The Dancevision company is an audition based extracurricular activity that takes place after school during recreational time. Each year, Dancevision performs two weekend shows in addition to programs during special events and athletic halftime shows. Recent student experiences include:

• Dance history students attended a performance of Jane Eyre by the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago.
• Dancevision attended a performance by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago featuring work from world-class choreographers Kyle Abraham, Rena Butler and Chrystal Pite.

The company is co-directed by Emily Fought (MS in Injury Prevention at PennWest University and BA in Dance Studies, Appalachian State University.) and Hillary Mason (BA in Dance, Columbia College Chicago).

Visiting Artists

Similar to many colleges and universities, the artist-in-residence program offers students in dance the opportunity to study, observe, and work with professional dancers and choreographers. Guest artists set choreography for the Dancevision company and featured in the Winter and Spring performances. Some of our most recent artist include:

• Matt Lopez and Melissa Ramos, New York City-based hip-hop choreographers
• Maggie Bradley, Modern dancer and Merce Cunningham student
• Nick Pupillo, Director of Visceral Dance Chicago

Other guests include Dancer and Choreographer Ann Reinking and Founding Producer of EnJoY! Productions Group Eric Jordan Young.

 

The Highest Level of Performance Dance

Culver students interested in pursuing an advanced education in dance may do so through the Honors in Dance curriculum. This program is designed to develop organization, communication, creativity, and leadership skills through dance coursework, studio laboratory time, and performance. 

What to Expect

Students will embark on a comprehensive project with emphasis on choreography and solo performance. Group work will be set on Dancevision company members and candidates will create and perform a solo work while documenting their process in journal notes, reflections, and costume/lighting drawings. Final projects will culminate in performances during Spring Parents Weekend.

Prerequisites

Those wishing to pursue Honors in Dance must complete two years in the Dance program, Dancevision company and have successfully completed these curricular requirements: Honors Dance Composition, Honors Dance History and Honors Seminar: Dance.

Culver students interested in pursuing their passion for dance may do so through the Concentration in Dance curriculum. Compared to the Honors in Dance curriculum, this program focuses on communication, creativity, and leadership skills through a sampling of dance choreography and composition.

What to Expect

Students will embark on a comprehensive project with emphasis on either a group choreography or solo performance. Candidates for a Concentration in Dance will create and perform their work while documenting their process in journal notes, reflections, and costume/lighting drawings. The final project is a capstone experience where candidates curate their own performance.

Prerequisites

Those wishing to pursue a Concentration in Dance must complete two years in the Dance program, Dancevision company and have successfully completed one of the following curricular requirements: Honors Dance Composition, Honors Dance History and Honors Seminar: Dance.