Programs

Dance

"Answer questions by moving."

— Susan Marshall

The Program in Dance welcomes all students to engage and experiment with dance. At the core of the program is the belief that dance fosters an integration of mind and body that allows for a greater connection to ourselves and our communities. To that end, we work to increase and expand the University’s exposure to and appreciation of dance through practice, performance, and critical conversation.

The program provides a depth, diversity, and flexibility of offerings that nurture beginners and challenge pre-professionals. While pursuing a liberal arts education, students have the opportunity to undertake demanding courses with professional choreographers, dancers, interdisciplinary artists, and scholars. The curriculum emphasizes expansive, rigorous training and the creation of original works of choreography, performance, and academic analysis. We support multiple performance opportunities each year, ranging from productions in the Roger S. Berlind Theatre and the Hearst Dance Theater, with choreography by faculty and guests, to site-specific interdisciplinary projects and independent experimental work. Students with a special interest or career aspirations in dance can choose to earn a program minor.

Learn more about Program in Dance faculty, news, events, & courses.

 

Upcoming Dance Events

See more upcoming dance events.

Learn more about this year’s performance season and weekly co-curricular class offerings.

 

Dance News

Read more dance news

 

Featured Dance Videos

 

Highlights from 2023 Princeton Dance Festival

Three dancers perform together on stage

Princeton students perform Run to the Edge choreographed by Amy Hall Garner. Photo by Larry Levanti

A dancer center stage kicks a leg high in the air

Princeton students perform Run to the Edge choreographed by Amy Hall Garner. Photo by Larry Levanti

A dancer leaps on stage

Princeton students perform Run to the Edge choreographed by Amy Hall Garner. Photo by Larry Levanti

A center dancer with legs crossed and arms and head pointed downwards is flanked by 2 dancers doing the opposite motion

Princeton students perform Run to the Edge choreographed by Amy Hall Garner. Photo by Larry Levanti

Four dancers in various positions from standing to lying on the floor.

Princeton students perform Closing Distance choreographed by Brian Brooks. Photo by Larry Levanti

A group of performers dance on stage.

Princeton students perform Closing Distance choreographed by Brian Brooks. Photo by Larry Levanti

Two dancers lie on the floor and look out to their outstretched hands.

Princeton students perform Closing Distance choreographed by Brian Brooks. Photo by Larry Levanti

One dancer with hands clenched looks down awkwardly in front of a row of other dancers

Princeton students perform excerpts of Donna Uchizono’s State of Heads. Photo by Larry Levanti

One dancer leans back towards another dancer who is looking owtwards

Princeton students perform excerpts of Donna Uchizono’s State of Heads. Photo by Larry Levanti

One dancers lifts another dancer

Princeton students perform excerpts of Donna Uchizono’s State of Heads. Photo by Larry Levanti

A line of dancers in colorful costumes perform

Princeton students perform Through the Dunes, a premiere work by Ishita Mili. Photo by Larry Levanti

A row of dancers perform on stage

Princeton students perform Through the Dunes, a premiere work by Ishita Mili. Photo by Larry Levanti

Two dancers in colorful costumes perform.

Princeton students perform Through the Dunes, a premiere work by Ishita Mili. Photo by Larry Levanti

Six dancers on a dimly lit stage, all dressed in dark red, strike various poses in a tight grouping.

Princeton students perform bubbles, a new work by Shamel Pitts. Photo by Larry Levanti

A dancer lays on their backside with legs kicked up and face looking back.

Princeton students perform bubbles, a new work by Shamel Pitts. Photo by Larry Levanti

A line of 5 dancers lie on the floor with their legs kicked upwards

Princeton students perform bubbles, a new work by Shamel Pitts. Photo by Larry Levanti

A dancers with outstretched arms looks upwards

Princeton students perform bubbles, a new work by Shamel Pitts. Photo by Larry Levanti

Two small groups of dancers hold each other in positions that display sharp angles downstage.

Princeton students perform D-Man in the Waters (Part 1) choreographed in 1989 by Bill T. Jones and staged by Catherine Cabeen. Photo by Larry Levanti

A dancer carries another dancer off stage.

Princeton students perform D-Man in the Waters (Part 1) choreographed in 1989 by Bill T. Jones and staged by Catherine Cabeen. Photo by Larry Levanti

Two dancers hold a third dancer in the middle

Princeton students perform D-Man in the Waters (Part 1) choreographed in 1989 by Bill T. Jones and staged by Catherine Cabeen. Photo by Larry Levanti

A dancer rides on the back of another dancer.

Princeton students perform D-Man in the Waters (Part 1) choreographed in 1989 by Bill T. Jones and staged by Catherine Cabeen. Photo by Larry Levanti

Dance Student Ambassadors

Have questions about Dance at Princeton? Reach out to Dance Student Ambassadors Clara Toujas '25 at clarat@princeton.edu and Paige Sherman '25 at ps7107@princeton.edu.

Questions?

For more information about the Program in Dance, please contact Program Associate Cindy Rosenfeld at 609-258-3017 or cr17@princeton.edu, or consult a directory of program staff.

Climate & Inclusion

Learn more about the Lewis Center for the Arts' efforts on addressing Climate & Inclusion.