Dance Major

Develop your skills in creativity, teamwork and critical thinking.

Dance helps you build the confidence necessary for life after college. You'll also learn self-discipline and improve your physical health. Whether you pursue a career in performance or discover other interests, the skills you learn will help you find success.

Why study dance at the College of Charleston?

You'll join a community that's formed in the classroom, in the studio and through our CofC Stages productions. You'll study in small classroom settings. You'll also create performances for our production seasons. You'll gain valuable skills and experience all aspects of theatre and dance—both onstage and off.

What will I learn?

With coursework in both theory and technique, you'll learn a wide range of dance styles. You can pursue more focused training through the performance/choreography concentration. Coursework allows students to gain skills in creativity, leadership, adaptability and communication. Beyond the foundations in ballet and modern dance, students can take classes in areas such as:
  • tap.
  • jazz.
  • non-western dance.
  • kinesiology.
  • history.
  • contact improvisation.

View Curriculum: Dance

Program Highlights

Dance provides you with the skills necessary to communicate with an audience. Here, you'll work with esteemed faculty and guest artists each semester. You'll have the opportunity to choreograph your own work in a dance concert each spring. Student work has been presented and awarded at the American College Dance Association (ACDA).
  • Hands-On Learning

    Every CofC Stages season offers two dance concerts. Students work with faculty and guest artists to choreograph these performances. The focus is on mentoring and personal development for students at all levels. You may work with faculty to assist them with projects and research that receive regional and national attention.

    Internship Opportunities

    With numerous dance companies in town, you have the chance to take part in productions beyond campus.

    Spoleto Festival USA comes to Charleston each spring which offers internship opportunities in multiple disciplines. The Piccolo Spoleto Festival provides you with more opportunities for internships and mentored experiences. 

    You'll also have the opportunity to perform and work in the historic Sottile Theatre, a 785-seat venue that originally opened in 1927.

    Study Abroad

    You may participate in Dancing Across Europe, a study abroad program organized by our director. Students can apply for SOTA travel scholarships. Faculty work with majors to determine the best semester or summer to travel.

  • Senior Project

    You may develop a capstone-style project in your junior or senior year. These projects can either be a semester-long or a year-long.

    • In-depth studies on choreography and presentation
    • Study dance on film
    • Present conference papers
  • Location

    The College is located within the artistic heartbeat of Charleston. You'll be a part of a strong artistic community on and off campus. We offer a wide array of facilities and state-of-the-art equipment to students. Our spaces include a proscenium theatre, two black box theatres, costume and scenery shops, and design and rehearsal studios.

Careers & Outcomes

You'll gain a strong set of skills that apply to many careers. With the knowledge and foundations formed here, you can even apply your skill set to careers outside of the performing arts. You may pursue work in science, therapy, marketing, communication and many other paths. Recent graduates have become:
  • performers.
  • teachers.
  • choreographers.
  • dance filmmakers.
  • studio owners.

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Choreograph your own path

Finding purpose through education isn't always an easy process. Jayne Pardys '21 began to think about how dance and anthropology interconnect. Then her path, once clouded and unclear, began to take shape in a new light.

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About the minor

A minor in dance is perfect for you if you are interested in the creative arts, in communication or in cultural expressions.

View Curriculum: Dance Minor