Department of Theatre & Dance News

The WKU Summer Dance Intensive is celebrating another sold out year. A summer highlight since 2016, this special week on the hill has become a summer highlight resulting in a long waitlist after reaching registration capacity. 

The intensive is designed for intermediate to advanced dancers (grades 9-12+) as a unique opportunity to explore college level dance and all that the WKU Dance Program experience has to offer. Following the mission of the WKU Dance Program, students will be challenged as "thinking artists," with a variety of classes to enhance their technical and artistic skills. Program of study will include ballet, jazz, and modern dance technique classes along with coursework including pointe, tap, dance improvisation, commercial work, injury prevention, hip hop and world dance forms. Uniquely, the intensive strives to celebrate and feature local and regional guest artists in addition to WKU dance faculty. Daily discussions and events will highlight special interest topics designed to help prepare and inspire the pre-professional dancer. The week-long intensive will culminate in an informal performance featuring university faculty and guest artist choreography.

Dancers take classes alongside select WKU dance majors who serve as resident assistants, that mentor and accompany dancers throughout the intensive. Each year, the summer dance intensive welcomes both new students to campus as well as retuning participants from previous intensives. This has become a vital tool in preparation for incoming freshman to the WKU Dance Program, providing them insight and connections just weeks before beginning their official college journey. Not only does the WKU Summer Dance Intensive bring an incredible group of dancers to campus, but allows the Dance Program to fund guest artists, master classes and educational experiences for our current students.  

Learn more about the program at https://www.wku.edu/theatre-and-dance/summer_dance_intensive.php.