Dance

Chair and Program Director-Dance: Suzanne Ostersmith

Professors: C. Pepiton

Associate Professors: S. Ostersmith, L. Stamoolis (Chair and Program Director of Theatre Arts) 

Lecturers: B. Edwards, P. Erickson 

Adjuncts: C. Forthun-Bruner, S. Glesk, J. Lyons, K. Parbon

The department offers two majors and three minors:

Bachelor of Arts, Dance major
(required concentration in either Dance Pedagogy or Performance)

Bachelor of Arts, Theatre Arts major
(required concentration in either Performance or Design, Technology, and Management [DTM])

Minor in Dance

Minor in Theatre Arts

Since the earliest human civilizations, theatre and dance have been integral to the fabric of human communication. The process of performance is woven into personal, community, business, artistic, and religious life - and into the dialogue among the cultures and nations of the world.

Critical examination of this process describes, interprets, and evaluates these relationships. As faculty in the Department of Theatre & Dance, we seek to assist students in becoming effective, creative, and ethically responsible communicators who can understand theoretical choices and design, express, interpret, and critically evaluate oral, written, nonverbal, and electronically mediated messages.

Theatre & Dance, as academic disciplines, draw upon the humanities, the social and natural sciences, and the professions. The curriculum is both conceptual and applied. Courses prepare students for an in-depth exploration of one or more areas of inquiry. Teaching and learning methods combine lectures, seminars, workshops, production, and performance. Theatre & Dance at Gonzaga reflects the Jesuit, Catholic, Humanistic character and liberal arts tradition of the institution.

Mission Statement

The Theatre & Dance Department at Gonzaga University is committed to training and developing artists who confront the important issues of our lives through their engagement with the art forms of live theatre and dance.

Students study and critically reflect on a broad range of literature, theatrical forms, and techniques in order to promote an active engagement with the foundations of our culture and to promote the formation of a character that reflects the faith and justice mission of Gonzaga University. The intended outcome of this study and reflection is to provide service to our audience and the broader community and to promote the pursuit for social justice.

Our purpose is to serve young artists hoping to apply disciplined training and thoughtful work to search for justice and the greater good of those around them.

Students interested in a minor that combines the strengths of theatre, dance, visual arts, and music should visit the Interdisciplinary Arts page for more information about the Interdisciplinary Arts Minor. 

Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership Studies (COML) and Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (ORGL) Graduate Pathways Program:

Majors interested in pursuing a Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership Studies (COML) or a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (ORGL) may apply to the graduate program at the end of the academic year immediately preceding their final year of undergraduate study. Those who meet the COML or ORGL admissions standards will be granted provisional acceptance. During their final year of undergraduate study, these students will be able to enroll in up to six graduate-level COML or ORGL credits in addition to their undergraduate course load, with no additional or separate charge for graduate credits. Graduate Pathway students will be limited to a maximum of 18 credits per semester, including graduate credits, in each of the two semesters of their final year of undergraduate study.