The University of Alabama’s department of theatre and dance will offer the state’s first Master of Fine Arts in dance program starting in fall 2020.
The program, which will use the 2019-20 academic year to recruit and audition prospective students, will provide training in advanced studies in dance, prepare graduates for employment in the dance profession, and provide credentials needed for employment and teaching positions that require a graduate-level degree.
The push for the program started with growth in the dance program’s talent, enrollment, national reputation and students’ curiosity in the breadth of the dance field, said Sarah M. Barry, UA associate professor of dance. At the same time, the College was looking to expand its number of graduate programs to support UA’s strategic plan.
“Being the flagship university in the state, we’re excited to be the first to offer this program,” said Barry. “I believe we have the right balance of talent and interest here to support the program.”
The graduate program will support the development of diverse skills in classical and contemporary dance techniques, dance pedagogy, historical perspectives and critical theory, as well as technical and artistic integration of dance-specific technologies.