The central focus of this intensive modern dance program is dance composition, including rigorous daily classes in technique, theory, composition, and performance. Compositions are evaluated on the basis of inventiveness, structure, and performance. Choreographic space, shape, time, and motion are used as metaphors for concepts and dynamics of culturally perceived sacred and profane values and meanings. Students create original choreography, drawing content from thematic program premises, their own life experience, and past interdisciplinary study. Conceptual themes include power and powerlessness, belonging and alienation, freedom and inhibition, sadness and happiness, beauty and ugliness.

Activities include daily classes in Nikolais/Louis technique, theory, and improvisation; and weekly dance labs in composition, critique, and stage craft. Morning sessions include an advanced Pilates-based floor barre, standing center work stressing rhythmic precision, spatial focus, and balance, and dynamic movement in large space. Afternoon workshops rotate between movement classes in theory, improvisation, composition, text and film seminars, and performance forums in which students share work in progress for peer and faculty review. Each week has a clear theoretical premise explored daily from a technical, compositional, and axiological perspective. Choreographic craft elements of space, shape, time, and motion are explored as sociocultural metaphors ranging from the mundane to the sublime, from anxiety to ecstasy. In Week 6, a focus on stage craft is added, including small and large group work, preparing choreography for presentation, working with music, costumes, scenery, props, and lighting for dance.

Lectures, films, and seminars will review the history of various art forms, and compare the creative process in dance, painting, architecture, and poetry. Seminars situate texts, film and art in critical, aesthetic, historical, and sociocultural contexts. Writing will balance creative and analytical styles, including weekly journals and debriefs. The program culminates with a public concert of selected student work. Choreography will be selected based on inventiveness, structure, and performance quality.