Program Recognition
•Bullet: Dance has had degree programs in the College of Fine and Applied Arts since 1969 and was called "a hotbed of choreographic innovation" by The New York Times; the MFA program was implemented in 1980
Training
•Bullet: MFA mission is substantive choreographic research positioning dance as a force in contemporary culture
•Bullet: Intentionally intimate program: a 12-person cohort with 3-4 candidates admitted each year
•Bullet: Final year synthesizes the work into a produced choreographic thesis, written thesis document, oral presentation, and a professional career plan
Performance & Productions
•Bullet: Candidates present choreography in the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, and the department's Storefront Studio provides graduate student rehearsal and study space alongside curricular classes and extracurricular groups
Notable Alumni
•Bullet: Angie Pittman (MFA '15) — Bessie Award winning performer based in New York
•Bullet: Cathy Young (MFA '03) — Executive Director of Boston Conservatory at Berklee
•Bullet: Danzel Thompson-Stout (MFA '21) — Assistant Professor at California State University-Long Beach
•Bullet: Paige Cunningham Caldarella (MFA) — former Merce Cunningham Dance Company dancer, now Associate Professor in the department
Value
•Bullet: The department provides financial support to a majority of candidates; a teaching assistantship of 25% or more provides a tuition waiver
•Bullet: Additional support available via the Creative and Performing Arts Fellowship and Graduate College fellowships
