University Dancers

DANC 306 University Dancers is the student dance company of the University of Richmond, housed within the Department of Theatre & Dance. Founded in 1985 by Myra Daleng, the company is currently directed by Anne Van Gelder, a faculty member in the Department of Theatre & Dance. Auditions are held at the beginning of the fall semester. Company members study a wide range of dance and movement techniques including dances of the African diaspora, ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, salsa, jazz, modern, and non-traditional partnering. Training occurs in company classes (three per week), master classes, and rehearsals. Membership in DANC 306 UD is open to all undergraduate students regardless of major or minor. Participants receive academic credit for their involvement, which may count toward a dance major, dance minor, or as elective credit.

Company members have the opportunity to work with a diverse roster of professional choreographers. Past guest artists include Robert Battle, Stefanie Batten Bland, Camille A. Brown, Ephrat Asherie, Alexandra Damiani, Trey McIntyre, Robert Dekkers, Norbert De La Cruz III, Juel D. Lane, Nicolo Fonte, Jessica Lang, Francesca Harper, Charlotte Boye-Christensen, Sean Aaron Carmon, Patrick Coker, Sean Curran, Larry Keigwin, Stephanie Martinez, Christopher Rudd, Kanji Segawa, Takehiro Ueyama, Doug Varone, and Christian von Howard, among others. The company also regularly works with University of Richmond dance faculty including Angelica Burgos, Deandra Clarke, Alicia Díaz, Eric Rivera, and Anne Van Gelder.

University Dancers present one mainstage concert each spring, with additional performance opportunities often available throughout the academic year. Rehearsals are held during the week and occasionally on weekends. During the fall semester, the time commitment is approximately 15–20 hours per week and may increase in the spring depending on the number of pieces in which a dancer is cast.

After completing DANC 248 Movement Improvisation and DANC 255 Composition, company members may submit original choreography for adjudication to be considered for performance in the spring concert. University Dancers also regularly participate in the American College Dance Association conference during the spring semester. All dance courses offered by the Department of Theatre & Dance are open to any student on a level-appropriate basis and students receive academic credit. All students also have the opportunity to participate in all Department of Theatre & Dance productions.