Dance Performance

Create your pathway to success on our intensive dance performance programme
Our BA (Hons) Dance Performance course prepares you for the world of work as a versatile dance artist and performer, as you focus on the practice of contemporary dance performance.

Develop your technical skills with intensive training
With a 70:30 practice-to-theory ratio, this highly-practical course builds your technical foundations through intensive daily classes under the guidance of our expert and active dance practitioners.

Areas of focus include:

• Cunningham

• Limon

• Release

• Ballet

• Contact improvisation

• Somatic practices

• Dance styles from styles influenced from other cultural perspectives.

Extend your performance skillset
In addition to your daily classes, our specialist performance technique classes allow you to explore a variety of specific aspects of contemporary dance performance and physical conditioning that relate to your own training.

Explore topics that include:

• Choreography

• Body conditioning

• Advanced ballet

• Aerial

• Yoga

• Feldenkrais.

Gain professional experience within a working dance company
In your third year, you will have the opportunity to expand your professional network as you join the 3Fall Dance Company and work with industry-active choreographers to prepare a full evening performance, which you will then tour in theatres and schools across the country.

Work with professional choreographers and practitioners
You will work with professional choreographers from both our Dance department and visiting artists to create a mixed bill of work ready to tour to schools and theatres around the country,

Our lecturers and dance tutors are all experienced, professional and practicing choreographers, technique tutors, dance artists and dance science specialists.

Our tutors approach each class as an opportunity to share their expertise with you to nurture your talent and extend your creativity as they get to know you and your aspirations.

Collaborative and supportive community
Studying and training at the University of Chichester means that you will join our close, collaborative community of dancers, choreographers, writers and researchers.

International exchange opportunities
As part of your dance course, you can take part in an international exchange programme during your second year, as you experience new cultures whilst you continue your dance training.

Prepare for your career
With work placement and study exchange opportunities, this course expands your network of professional contacts and provides you with vital experience within commercial dance spaces that help prepare you for your chosen career within the sector.

The ‘Preparing the Dance Artist for Work’ module helps you plan for your future career as you develop a showreel, a CV, social media presence and your knowledge of auditions and funding in the arts.

On this course you will:

• Develop your technique and performance skills through daily dance classes.

• Gain vital professional experience as part of the 3Fall dance company.

• Extend your practical and theoretical knowledge of dance performance.

• Learn from experienced and sector-active dance practitioners and researchers.

• Join a close dance community and work with dance students from other courses.

During your first year, you will gain a solid foundation in dance practice with intensive daily technique classes and physical conditioning sessions to improve your performance skills, as well as weekly choreography sessions that explore composition and help you find your creative voice. In your second year, you will continue to develop your performance skills as you begin to specialise in areas such as repertory, scenography, aerial and improvisation. In addition, you will begin to you plan for your future career in dance. You will develop strategies to connect with dance companies and organisations, internships and graduate apprenticeships.
You will also gain access to guidance on self-employment, insurance and DBS requirements through workshops and individual research projects. In your third year, you can specialise further by choosing modules on dance practice and performance that relate directly to careers in performance, choreography, dance movement psychotherapy, teaching and interdisciplinary arts projects. Your 3Fall company experience is central to your third year and reflects professional dance company approaches. You will work intensively with choreographers and rehearsal directors to create a full bill of work for touring to a range of venues, delivering workshops in education and community settings as you learn to become a valued member of a company.

You will complete a range of practical and contextual assessment tasks such as studio technique class assessments, live performances of your choreography, PowerPoint presentations for modules such as Preparing the Dance Artist for Work and written assignments for Research Methodologies and Independent Study Project.
In addition, you will undertake a shorter final written research project that allows you to focus on an areas of particular interest to you and deepen your knowledge and understanding.