Description

The M.F.A. in dance focuses on choreography, physical practice and critical thinking and writing. Over the course of three years, through critical inquiry in the studio and seminar room, graduate students deepen the practice of individual investigation. The program provides Modern dance technique each semester and welcomes entering graduate students that do not have a Modern dance background. Through graduate work, graduate students discover artistic and sociopolitical connections to other artists, scholars and the dance field at large. The program offers rigorous immersive study to those who are curious, motivated, self-directed and possess a spirit of expansive inquiry and innovation. This includes interdisciplinary projects, presentation of choreography in formal and informal settings throughout the three-year program, performance in guest artist and faculty works, presentation of academic work at conferences and symposia and participation in community-based performance and scholarly events. Emphasizing creative work and collaboration with fellow M.F.A. candidates in lighting, set, costume and media/projection design at TDPS, The degree culminates with a thesis: an original choreographed and performed creative project and a written thesis. The third year also includes an off-campus internship with an arts organization or research venue in the Washington, D.C. area, such as the Kennedy Center, Dance Place, Dance Exchange, Dance USA or the National Dance Education Organization.