Q&A with Director of Dance Program: GRETCHEN MCLAINE

      Q: How long was the process for the dance major?

A: I was hired in 2007 to develop the curriculum for the major and eventually serve as Director of the dance program. One of the biggest delays came in the delay of the opening of the CATO Center. Prior to its opening in January 2010, we had no dance studios that were ours (we scheduled our dance classes through Physical Education controlled spaces, which consisted of a converted studio in the basement of Robert Scott Small building. We couldn’t go forward with the approval process until the CATO building was opened and we had our own dance studios.

Q: What procedures did you have to go through in getting a dance major?

A: A committee was formed from within our department to develop the major curriculum, requirements, etc.  We also had to consider the limitations of being in a liberal arts college, as far as the limit of credit hours we could require for the major.

After I did the research, the committee met and spent a few months discussing what our major should be: what concentrations to offer, how to accept students, assess student learning outcomes, and what experiences we could realistically provide majors. We agreed on core courses and a series of electives for majors, while also keeping in mind our resources and financial limitations.

After that was done, the proposal had to go the Commission on Higher Education (CHE) in Columbia so that we could get approval to pursue the development of the major. We got that approval, then a full proposal (20+ pages) had to go through our full Theatre department, the School of the Arts curriculum committee, our Dean, the college-wide Curriculum Committee, Faculty Senate, Provosts, Academic Planning, and then the President. This 20 page proposal also required the addendum of a course syllabus and proposal for new course for EACH course we were planning to offer. I think it was 16 new course proposals, 16 syllabi- about six pages per new course. In addition, we had to submit paperwork related to the changes to the minor. Finally, after the President approved it, it went to the Board of Trustees, and then back to CHE for final approval. The whole process is very time-consuming, and it was difficult to write all of these documents while also teaching a full load and directing the spring dance concerts.

Q: What classes are mandatory in the dance major?

A: There are two concentrations: a 36 hour general dance studies, and a 47 hour performance and choreography concentration. Both concentrations share a 29 credit core which includes one jazz technique class, three modern classes, three ballet classes, choreography 1, history of western dance, kinesiology, senior capstone, and either a costume or stagecraft course.

For general dance studies, the other requirements are two practicum credits and six elective credits. Performance students must take a second level of choreography, three additional technique classes in ballet and modern, two performance practicum, one general practicum, and five elective credits. Elective credits from which both concentrations may choose from include history of non-western dance, career seminar, body conditioning, teaching methods, and other special topics as they are offered.

Q: How many majors does CofC have this year?

A: We have approximately 25 majors, 65 minors, and many who haven’t officially declared but are considering majoring in dance.

Q: Are the classes in a dance minor the same as the major?

A: No, there is a huge difference now. We have classes under the THTR designation which are specifically for non-majors, and we have classes under the DANC designation which are designed specifically for the major. However, minors can get permission to take certain DANC classes to fulfill the minor requirements. Those requirements have also changed drastically with the implementation of the major. It provides more choices and flexibility.

Q: Is there an audition to declare dance as a major?

A: There is technically not an audition. The committee struggled a lot with this. Since we are a liberal arts school, there is a belief that anyone should be able to study almost anything. We don’t require biology majors to audition. However, we recognize a real issue of quality control, so we instituted a requirement that students must earn a C+ or better in technique classes in order to proceed to the next level, and they must get through a certain level in order to get a dance degree. Going back to the biology analogy, any student can declare a bio major. However, if they take BIOL 101 and fail, then re-take it and get a D-, and retake it again and get a D+, hopefully that student realizes that bio may not be a good choice of a major. The same can happen in dance. The good thing is that most people coming to major in dance have significant training in dance. They realize it’s not a major for someone with no dance background.

Q: How is it funded?

A: It is funded like any other academic program. We are under the Department of Theatre and Dance so our funding is meshed with Theatre.

Q: Are there scholarships offered?

A: While there are no scholarships right now, we are looking at changing this soon. We currently have a dance major receiving a Clarence award (Theatre award), and will have future dance professional awards in the spring. While these awards are modest, they are monetary. We are also trying to reach the endowed level of the Robert Ivey Scholarship. That will mean a lot to all of the faculty whenever we can start giving that to students.

Q: What are the long-term goals for the major?

A: One of our highest priorities is to hire another fulltime, tenure0track faculty. The program is currently working under one fulltime faculty (me) and five adjuncts. As part of our proposal, we said that we would stagger the rolling out and offering of classes for the first two years of the major, and would search for another fulltime person in year 3.

Beyond that, we want to be a competitive program within the Southeast region. That will happen as we continue to assess our strengths and weaknesses and evolve as a program. We also hope to eventually become recognized by National Association of Schools of Dance, but we can’t apply until after our first full class graduates with the major and we have at least one more fulltime faculty member. Of course, I’m going to continue to investigate and pursue ways in which we can offer great opportunities for our students, whether it’s through guest artist residencies, reconstruction of historically significant works, and more financial support for attending American College Dance Festival and National Dance Education Organization conferences. These things are important to me, and I’m getting good at writing grants to make these projects happen.

Q: How will it impact the arts at CofC?

A: I hope that the dance major will have a positive effect on the arts at CofC. Of course, students can be exposed to dance through various performances that the major will offer. Special events such as master classes can engage the entire campus community. And, since I am so passionate about collaboration, I hope it brings us to better relationships with the other arts programs here at the college. Some of our past choreographers have worked with music faculty, I’m choreographing an opera, we’ve already a project involving collaboration between a sculptor and choreographer.

 These are just the beginning of the relationships that I hope to foster with other departments. Obviously, our relationship with theatre is very close, and the department has been very supportive in terms of resources, personnel, etc.