Why Butler’s Dance Program?

At Butler, our dancers experience…

…a program consistently recognized as one of the top five classical dance programs in the nation

…studio coursework in Ballet, Modern, and Jazz, with an emphasis on classical ballet

…supplementary studio classes in Pointe, Men’s Allegro, Character Dance, World Dance, Pas de Deux, and Classical Variations

…classes in Choreography, Improvisation, Laban Movement Analysis, Music for Dance, Dance History, Theory and Philosophy

…supportive and nurturing faculty with outstanding professional credentials

…numerous performing and choreographic opportunities, including three fully produced, full-scale dance performances each year, including two full-length classical ballets performed to live orchestra in the stunning 2,200-seat Clowes Memorial Hall and one mixed repertory evening which includes the opportunity to perform contemporary, modern, and important works by major choreographers in the 450-seat Schrott Center for the Arts

…rigorous liberal arts academic coursework

ButlerBallet

ButlerBallet, the performance component of the program, offers extensive pre-professional opportunities, including full-length classical productions of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Coppélia, Cinderella, and Giselle; all performed to live orchestra. These 19th and 20th century masterpieces are the foundation of the department’s philosophy and training and are central to the artistic development of its students.  By presenting the technically difficult repertoire in its purest classical form, we honor the stylistic and historical importance of these ballet classics.