Department of Dance

Dance at Sam Houston State University

The Department of Dance at Sam Houston State University delivers a dynamic, challenging education that integrates creativity, performance, and scholarly pursuits designed to prepare each student for a 21st century career in dance. We have exceptional facilities, including a dance theater, four spacious studios, a costume shop, Pilates studio, and dance technology lab.  Our robust performance calendar includes twelve fully produced concerts each academic year. The department’s highly dedicated dance faculty bring the expertise of their professional performing careers and choreographic portfolios to the classroom. Exciting guest artists and choreographic residencies enhance the students’ education.

The Bachelor in Fine Arts in Dance provides intensive study in modern, partnering, ballet, and jazz techniques; abundant performance opportunities; innovative choreographic exploration, including the integration of media into the creative process; and a solid academic grounding in coursework.

The Master of Fine Arts program in Dance integrates creativity, performance, and scholarly pursuits. In addition to rigorous studio experience with substantive choreographic and performance opportunities, the program includes pedagogical, theoretical, and research orientations to dance as an art form. Courses in composition, dance theory, dance technology, and pedagogy broaden the scope of study. Assistantships are available. A returning professional track is available for qualified candidates. 

Sam Houston State University's Department of Dance is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance. 

Enjoy our Dance @ Sam Promo Video here!

Register for an audition today! 

The Department of Dance also offers a Minor in Dance. Ask about how you can add a dance minor to your degree plan today!

  • SHSU Dance News

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    Department of Dance Auditions

    Students who wish to be accepted into the Department of Dance must be admitted to the University as well as to the Department through an audition. Audition Dates for 2023-2024:

    BFA Auditions:
    Friday, November 3, 2023 from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM 
    Friday, February 23, 2024 from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    Friday, April 12, 2024 from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

    MFA Auditions:
    Friday, October 20, 2023 from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
    Friday, March 1, 2024 from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

    Auditions will be conducted in person. Follow this link to learn more and register for an audition. 

    Photo by Lynn Lane, Choreographer Evelyn Toh

    LEARN MORE

  • Fall 2023 Guest Artists

    Photos Guest Artists Fall 2023

    The Sam Houston State University Department of Dance will bring in four exciting guest artists to work with students this year in the studio and to develop stage works. Dual Rivet, a women-led dance company focused on highly physical contemporary dance making from New York City will make a new work with SHSU dance students that will premiere in Dance Spectrum. Dual Rivet performed at Sam Houston as part of the Dance Gallery Festival at ACDA in Spring 2023, and were then selected to be this year's Dance Gallery Festival company in residence. Independent Artist and Master Teacher Jennifer Mabus will also visit SHSU to work with students to set a new dance work for Dance Spectrum. And New York dance artist Mike Esperanza will be in residence to offer a set of master classes.    

    Learn More! 

  • Fall Dance Thesis Concert

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    An abstract response to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Erin Ellis's thesis dance production Falling Upward embodies the dialogue between self, brain, heart, and guts in the body's relentless pursuit of home and wholeness. Accompanied by a coffee table and chair, eleven individuals become one as they share the stage for an evening of unraveling and integration. This mythopoetic journey toward bodily homecoming is illustrated through an enigmatic dance work that ebbs and flows between vulnerable aches, hopes, and absurdity as it molds itself to the viewer.

    Falling Upward
    Thesis Choreography by Erin Ellis
    Department of Dance, Sam Houston State University
    Performance information available at www.shsutickets.com
    October 19-20, 2023 @ 8 pm FREE Admission

  • Fall 2023 Senior Studio 

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    SHSU BFA Dance majors are thrilled to present Aura, an ensemble of dynamic choreography created by seventeen passionate dance artists in the 2023-2024 senior class. Together, the choreographers have created a concert full of inspiring storytelling, intricately curated visuals, and innovative dance works that speak to the nuances of human existence. Program varies nightly. 

    Aura
    Presented by Senior Studio 
    Department of Dance, Sam Houston State University
    Ticket information available at www.shsutickets.com
    November 2-4, 2023 @ 8 PM

    Learn More! 

Department News

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Summer Dance at SHSU

Check out our Summer Dance study options for pre-professional and professional level students. Click here for more info!

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New to SHSU Dance?

Info for Incoming Dance Majors

If you are new to SHSU Dance please download this Info Blast created just for you so that you know what to expect. Still have questions? Contact the Dance Office anytime during the summer to get answers regarding registration, auditions, and more! 

Info Blast for New Dance Majors

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Science Worth Dancing About

"What if I told you that dancing enhances the brain?" Professor Andy Noble advocates for the power of dance in the 2nd Annual TEDxSHSU event hosted by SHSU. Co-written by Andy and Dionne Noble, this talk highlights new research conducted by an arts-science team that is looking at the ways dance impacts brain health. Read more here!




Department of Dance
815 17th Street, Suite 150, Huntsville, TX 77340
Phone: (936) 294-3342 or (936) 294-1875 | E-mail: shsudance@shsu.edu




CAM CREATIVE COMMUNITY

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Enjoy the many ways you can unleash your creativity and find inspiration while living among other student artist, communicators, and performers in CAM Creative Community. With modern amenities including access to stages, screens, and studios, Creative Community is open exclusively to College of Arts & Media majors!

Click Here to learn more