Performing Arts: Expect Great Things
| Elizabeth
Boatwright Coker Performing Arts Center |
Major in one of the performing arts and you will be well prepared for a career that requires leadership, confidence, creativity and a strong foundation in the principles of dance, music and theater, all of which are essential tools for succeeding in the world of performing arts. Whether you want to perform professionally, teach, or establish your own theater or studio, the goal of our faculty is to provide you with an in-depth, first-hand understanding of the many opportunities these majors offer.
Coker’s
performing arts faculty does more than teach. Each member of our faculty
has first-hand experience in dance, music, musical theater, performance
theater or technical theater - living and practicing the principles of
the disciplines they now teach. We also have visiting artists in residence,
performers and other professionals who bring an added dimension of “real
world” experience and insight to you.
DANCE: Small classes ensure one-on-one instruction and provide experience in all areas of dance, including improvisation, choreography and advanced techniques. Dance majors complete a concentration in one of the following: performance/ choreography, dance production, movement analysis/therapies, and dance aesthetics and history. Two of the most popular performing arts events at Coker are the Fall and Spring annual dance concerts featuring original choreography by students and faculty.
MUSIC (voice, piano, musical theater) and MUSIC EDUCATION (piano, vocal): Coker’s music program focuses on music as an element of culture, preparing students for teacher certification and advanced professional study. Music majors complete courses in one area of applied music (piano, voice or musical theater) and basic theoretical and historical studies. Music students have the opportunty to perform with the Coker Singers, the college's official choral ensemble founded in 1908. Music education (piano or vocal concentration) requires additional coursework applicable to teaching. Music Audition Requirements
| “It
is impossible to be a theater major and not be involved. Because
the department is small, we depend on each other for everything.
You act, build sets, run a light board, find props - and that’s
just in your first semester.” - Sarah, theater major |
MUSICAL THEATER: This program is for students interested in both singing and acting, providing broad exposure to all aspects of musical theater and interaction with faculty. In addition to courses in Music, theater and dance, students participate in musical theater workshops and productions. Recent musical theater productions have included Oklahoma, Cabaret, Songs for the New World and Carousel. Musical Theater Web Album
THEATER: the best way to learn theater is to create theater. Starting freshman year, students are involved in stage productions as playwrights, performers, directors, set designers and builders. Many direct full-length plays for public performance, something few students at larger colleges enjoy as undergraduates.
