A TYPICAL YEAR AT BATES
A week before regular classes begin, the returning dance students often begin rehearsals with a visiting guest choreographer to prepare for a twenty-minute program for the First-Year Student Orientation Program. The Parents and Families Weekend concert includes new works in progress by guest artists and students and finished pieces from earlier in the semester or the previous year. The Fall Concert of Professional Works consists of new works by guest professional choreographers and faculty, performed by the Bates College Modern Dance Company. The Winter Concert of New Works features the composition classes and thesis choreographic projects.
Short-term begins with an intensive development period in which a long piece is created for touring to over a dozen nearby elementary schools. Students have the opportunity to create a work, interact with the children, and organize the logistics of the production and outreach tour. The Bates Dance Festival Short term offers four classes a day and almost daily performances and workshops with resident companies and choreographers.
There are also informal studio showings throughout the year to give students an opportunity to present their works in a more intimate setting. Most years a group of dancers attends the American College Dance Festival, where the students have a chance to have their choreography adjudicated, to see concerts, and to take classes.
The Bates Dance program brings up to 10 guest artists a year for workshops, master classes and for two-week residencies, during which new work is created. Guest choreographers such as Alexandra Beller, Mark Dendy, Danny Buraczeski, Doug Elkins, Jennifer Archibald, Sean Curran and Tere O’Connor as well as traditional dance artists from various cultural back grounds are a regular feature of our program.