Dance

The mission of the Dance Program at The University of Southern Mississippi is to empower students to define their artistic voice and acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue it professionally. Through individualized mentorship and attentive faculty-student interactions, we aim for our students to become capable and experienced performers, choreographers, licensed dance educators, artists, and advocates for the field.

Career readiness is at the forefront of our student-centered approach, incorporating research in teaching and dance, cultural and community engagement, experiential learning, internship opportunities, and guest artist residencies to supplement regular, rigorous training in movement practice and theoretical work.

As a program within the School of Performing and Visual Arts, we value collaboration, fostering belonging, and promoting active engagement in both the dance field and greater artistic community. 

Students can perform every semester, starting as incoming majors with the Freshman Repertory Dance Company where they experience the creation of a new work with a faculty member. Later opportunities include membership in the Repertory Dance Companies (I & II), Dance Performance Project ensemble, Dance Gala concerts, screen dance, and more.

• Freshman Repertory Dance Company: As a company member, students will rehearse with a faculty member and set a new dance. Students will be exposed to the collaborative nature of modern dance choreography—preparing them to successfully audition for our other performance ensembles. The Freshman Repertory Dance Company performs excerpts of their dance at High School Dance Day and the entire dance during the December Student Showcase concert.
• Repertory Dance Company I & II: The USM Repertory Dance Companies (RDC I & II) provide opportunities for dance majors to gain valuable performance experience and to become further prepared for professional careers in dance. RDC assessment standards are built on the rigorous expectations of the professional field in the areas of skills, knowledge and dispositions required. RDC I performs in all major program concerts and works with faculty, student, and guest choreographers. Members of RDC II perform in a variety of venues, and are formally mentored by a dance faculty member throughout the semester-long process.
• Dance Performance Project: This course, offered every fall term, is led by a dance faculty member and often includes performance in non-traditional stage spaces and environments (site-specific work, etc.). Performance coaching for a proscenium setting is sometimes incorporated as well. 

Learn more

• An individualized internship in the professional dance world is a requirement for all majors. Internships are developed in conjunction with the student’s adviser with the purpose of furthering the education and exposure to an area of professional interest for the student.
• Recent internship opportunities include participating in: USM’s British Studies Dance Program in London, the American Dance Festival, Mark Morris Dance Group’s winter intensive, the International Association of Black Dance conference, lead intern for the Mississippi Dance Festival, and choreographing for summer stock musical performances. Additional opportunities in dance education, dance therapy, arts administration, marketing, and more are available.

• Service Awards: The dance program offers service awards to students who submit a successful application. Applications are accepted in the spring for the following academic year. Service awardees are assigned tasks within the dance program that include: managing social media accounts, collecting the mail, setting up the lobby display for concerts, cleaning out costume storage, coordinating the sale of USM dance t-shirts, assisting with duties for guest artist residencies, etc. These awards range from $100-$500.
• Foundation Awards: Foundation Awards are our named scholarships chosen by the dance faculty. These awards range from $200-$1000. Faculty decides on these awards based on need and talent. Apply for Scholarships
• Jim Clinton Award: This award is for summer study at a festival, conference, or workshop. Students apply for this award in the spring semester. This award ranges from $200-$800.
• Department Special Scholarships: Department Special Scholarships are awarded by the dance faculty for talented and needy students who apply. These awards range from $1,500-$8,000. These scholarships are exclusive and competitive.
• Mid-Year Special Emergency Scholarships: In cases of extreme financial need/emergency, a student may contact the dance program coordinator to see if extra scholarship funds are available mid-year. These funds are not guaranteed, but if they exist, the student in need will be required to fill out an application for mid-year funding. This application will be reviewed by the dance faculty, and a recommendation will be made to the school Director who will make the ultimate budgetary decision and/or disbursement of funds. Minimally, students must be in good standing in the dance program (2.5+ GPA), have registered within USM’s GO System, and complete the special application to be eligible.
• Outstanding This and That Awards: Outstanding This and That awards are faculty chosen awards to recognize the hard work of our majors. They include Outstanding Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, and Dance Educator. These awards are announced at the end of the spring semester.

A multi-arts event celebrating the artistic work of faculty and students in the School of Performing and Visual Arts at Southern Miss, which boasts over 50 events. Special programming of artistic and creative activities for the festival include master classes, workshops, guest and visiting artists, family-friendly events, and formal productions. This multi-arts festival has been an opportunity for the programs in the School of Performing and Visual Arts, including Art and Design, Dance, and Theatre, to collaborate and build community within the School and throughout Hattiesburg.

Schedule

Dance Major Application/Auditions

FAQ