Performances
Dance Performance Opportunities
University of Idaho dance majors have numerous opportunities to perform throughout their college studies. The program offers two fully produced concerts each year, performed in the 400-seat Hartung Theatre and the Studio Dance Theatre on the University of Idaho Moscow campus.
Fall Concert
The fall concert features the UIdaho Dance Ensemble performing works by professional faculty choreographers, internationally acclaimed guest artists. Past guest artist works have been set by: Nick Cendese (Repertory Dance Theatre), Cedric Hall (Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble), Dance Exchange, DanceBARN, Vincas Greene, Faith Morrison, Sarah Ebert, Jaime Minkus, Nhan Ho, Rachel Winchester, Anna Keller, Louis Kavouras, & Michael Schumacher.
Students audition for this pre-professional experience. Auditions are open to all students that meet the co-requisite requirement of at least one technique class. Other performance opportunities have included collaborations with Theatre Arts, Music, and off campus performance spaces.
DancersDrummersDreamers
In the spring, the Dance Program collaborates with the Lionel Hampton School of Music for the acclaimed production of Dancers Drummers Dreamers. DDD was founded in 1991 by Dan Bukvich and Diane Walker. This unique production features dance performed to original, live music composed by the music faculty members and students.
The overall performance is variety show with music, dance, songs and some slapstick comedy. It is a family event, described as eclectic, playful, fun, entertaining, collaborative, high octane energy and imaginative. Jazz dance guest artists that have contributed to the production include: Pat Taylor (Jazzantiqua Dance & Music Ensemble), Erinn Leibhard (Rhythm!cally Speak!ng Dance), Melanie George, & Christy McNeil. The production often performs to sell-out crowds each spring and has toured throughout the Northwest region.
Students audition for this unique professional training program that exists at no other university. The process of developing the concert is as important as the product. Participating students have learning opportunities in problem solving, creative thinking, leadership development, professional knowledge and skill development. Auditions are open to all students that meet the co-requisite requirement of at least one technique class.
Produced by the University of Idaho Dance Program in collaboration with the Lionel Hampton School of Music.
Described as a modern vaudeville show with music, dance, song and some slapstick comedy, DancersDrummersDreamers (DDD) is a show that can't be missed.
Live performances
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Date: Thursday, Friday, Saturday March 21-23, 2024
- Location: Hartung Theatre
- Time: 2 p.m.
- Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024
- Location: Hartung Theatre
Virtual stream
- Date: Monday, March 25, 5 p.m. to Monday, April 1, 11 p.m.
Virtual live stream of the event will be available starting Monday, March 25 by 5 p.m. and remain available until the end of the day Monday, April 1. A link to the stream will be sent to all virtual ticket holders closer to the event.
Other Performances
Each year, the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences Dance program offers other performance opportunities including formal and informal concerts.
Students may audition to perform in Choreo-Lab, a concert featuring student choreography. Students can also participate in Dance Off Hand, a biannual concert series sponsored by our Terpischore Student Dance Organization, showcasing works in progress, and annual Dance Research Concerts comprised of work created by graduating seniors. Student concerts are performed in our newly renovated 120-seat Dance Studio Theatre in the Physical Education Building, complete with stage lighting and curtains.
The Dance Program travels each year to the American College Dance Association Conference, where students have the opportunity to participate in master classes and perform in adjudicated concerts. The program also travels to attend and perform at the Idaho Dance Education Organization Conference held in many locations across the state.
Festival Dance
Festival Dance has a rich and colorful history of accomplishments and service in the arts while in partnership with the University of Idaho Dance Program. Throughout the many years Festival Dance has been in residence, it has provided teaching and outreach opportunities, and valuable benefits for dance students.
The Great Performance Series is one of the only professional dance series between Seattle and Minneapolis and has garnered grant support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Idaho Commission on the Arts, the Washington State Arts Commission, the Western States Arts Federation and the New England Foundation for the Arts. Festival Dance has presented more than 80 different touring professional dance companies to the Moscow/Pullman area. Performances are at the Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, Wash. Discount tickets are provided for U of I students, with additional discounts for dance majors.
Festival Dance provides the students taking Dance Pedagogy and Children’s Dance at least 15 practicum hours a semester through the Festival Dance Academy. Class offerings include Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Celtic and Hip-Hop, along with Kinderdance classes for dancers as young as 4 years old. Each year, Festival Dance hires four to six dance students to teach beginning level dance classes. Students are able to earn money for their education while at the same time gaining valuable teaching experiences to enhance their résumés.
Festival Dance has a stellar record of providing outstanding arts opportunities for area youth. More than 4,000 youths from Moscow and the region are reached each year with dance classes, summer workshops, in-school master classes and workshops, performance opportunities and programs by leading professional touring artists.