Performing Arts Courses (PFAR)

Elective offerings in dance, theater and music. All classes are experiential unless otherwise noted.

PFAR 103
Dance and Theater Studies I: Wisdom of the Body (3)
This class provides an opportunity for students with no previous dance or theater experience to explore a range of creative and contemplative processes that serve as gateways to further training in dance and theater-based techniques and forms. We focus on body/mind awareness and the multitude of ways the body interacts with forms/practices leading us to a deeper sense of alignment, ease, joy and deep play. The development of individual presence and awareness of the dynamics of ensemble is emphasized throughout the semester. This course serves as prerequisite to PFAR dance and theater courses and is for students interested in embodied creative process and performance skills.

PFAR 185
World Dance I (3)
This course offers a rich, diverse exploration in contemporary forms such as Capoeira, Hip Hop, Contact Improvisation, Belly Dancing and other world forms. Through this cross-cultural exploration, students experience the deep fabric of culture and current trends through dance and music. Styles taught vary each semester and may vary within a semester. Students should contact the department to get specific information regarding dance styles being offered during the semester as well as other requirements that may apply.

PFAR 203
Dance and Theater Studies II: Investigating Performance (3)
Investigating Performance invites students into the world of the performing arts—giving students an opportunity to engage in physical training and explore a range of interconnected dance and theater forms. A through line of technique (either dance or theater) is enhanced by a series of intensive workshops with guest artists from the BFA in Performance and PFAR faculty. This class culminates in a public showing of student created work. Prerequisite: PFAR 103 or permission of instructor.

PFAR 225
Discovering the Moving Voice (3)
This course focuses on developing the awareness and skills that allow the performance artist’s essential voice to speak and be heard. Students explore how the voice is a physical manifestation of the moving body and vice versa. We use physical exercises and improvisation to discover each student’s unique voice. We also look at how to build ensemble soundscapes and explore presenting theatrical text. A forum is created in which the audience/performer relationship can be explored. The class is performanceoriented and requires regular solo and ensemble presentations as well as written assignments. Prerequisite: PFAR 203 or by permission of instructor.

PFAR 233
Performance Studies Seminar I: Introduction to Performance Studies (3)
This introductory course gives students a solid framework in the discipline of Performance Studies with readings coming from the various methodologies that inform Performance Studies, including but not limited to social anthropology, linguistics, sociology and performance theory. The seminar focuses on using the lens of “performance” to identify ways in which all aspects of human behavior and culture are performances. Attention is also given to reading strategies and critical writing. Prerequisite: COR 210/Section B.

PFAR 240
Contact Improvisation (3)
Contact Improvisation is the spontaneous dance of two or more people moving together while maintaining a physical connection and releasing into the flow of natural movement. The class follows a general progression of contact improvisation skills such as rolling, falling, taking and giving weight, playing with momentum and gravity, discovering ledges and levels and exploring different depths and textures of touch. Skills in individual, partner and group dances are developed. Both beginners and more experienced contact improvisers are welcome. Prerequisite: PFAR 103 or permission of instructor.

PFAR 245
Dance of Africa I (3)
This class teaches dance and rhythm of one or more cultural traditions of Africa. Students learn to hold respect for cultural traditions including the role dance plays in community, the relationship between student and teacher and the joys of dance. Students are required to maintain a practice regimen and attend community-sponsored traditional African dance concerts. Students dance hard, have fun and are required to participate in a performance weekend at the end of the semester. Students are expected to wear traditional dance costumes for public performances and for class.

PFAR 280
Dance Technique I: Into Improvisation (3)  
Students work from the notion of internal awareness while tapping into creativity and imagination as potent energetic forces that support the development of full, embodied dancing. Class includes warm-up/technical exercises inspired and influenced by a variety of movement forms/styles ranging from ballet, modern/postmodern, modern jazz, “release,” somatic practices, as well as more inventive movement phrases that can open up into co-created working material. Musicality, rhythm and phrasing are important elements as well as working with silence as accompaniment.

PFAR 281
Dance Technique II: Into Choreography (3)  
This class focuses on developing techniques to create new pathways in the body by drawing on elements of contemporary dance techniques that are influenced by Contact Improvisation, Body-Mind Centering™, Feldenkrais™ and Laban-based work. Students learn and practice choreographed movement phrases emphasizing efficiency, ease and momentum. Contemporary dance technique offers the individual a sense of flight and freedom in their movement by allowing the skeletal structure to provide the core strength for full body dancing. Using movement as the source of creativity and expression, this class explores the potential of the body starting with a slow warm up to align and awaken the body, progressing into invigorating and vitalizing dance. Prerequisite: PFAR 280 or permission of instructor.

PFAR 250
Improvisation and Theater Games (3)  
While introducing text into the physical elements of improvisation, students explore the art of improvisation and storytelling. Through improvisation, students heighten their sense of listening, physical presence and the ability to tell a story from an honest place. Students enjoy exploring the physical and theatrical elements of improvisation through various modalities such as Viewpoints, character exploration and Viola Spolin–inspired theater games. This class is for students of any department who are looking to expand their listening, presentation and overall communications skills. Prerequisite: PFAR 103 or equivalent.

PFAR 303
Special Topics in Performance (3)  
This course offers upper-division students an opportunity to explore performance through a variety of lenses: historical, cultural, critical and contemplative perspectives are examined. Subjects studied vary from semester to semester. Students should check with the department for details on this course, and when it is being offered. Prerequisite: Any 200-level arts course.

PFAR 311
Performance Practicum: Building Together from the Ground Up (3)
Designed for upper-division music, theater, dance and interdisciplinary students, this course brings together intermediate/advanced practitioners of dance, theater and music to provoke new cross-disciplined performance works and dialogue. Co-taught by faculty from the Music Program and the BFA in Performance, this experimental lab generates several mixed-media performances evolving from varied approaches including simultaneous composition, unilateral decision making and indeterminacy. Students design and implement compositions; performance is a required component of this course. Prerequisite: open to juniors and seniors only; must have successfully completed any combination of two PFAR courses, ensemble courses within the Music Program, MUS 400 or MUS 230.

PFAR 320/520
Authentic Movement (3)
Authentic Movement is grounded in the relationship between a mover and a witness both on an inner and an outer level. The mover works with eyes closed following a deeper kinesthetic reality. The witness offers an attentive nonjudgmental presence. As embodied self-directed dialogue between the unconscious and consciousness, this work invites healing and the development of inner authority. The class is experiential, interweaving history and theory with the students’ evolving practice and emerging questions. Additional course requirements apply to students taking the course for graduate credit. Prerequisite: Previous dance training required. Upper-division only.

PFAR 333
Performance Studies Seminar II:
Performance, Performativity and Identity Formation (3)
The focus of this course revolves around how performance and its inherent performativity structures, mediates and informs the ways in which subjects identify and are identified. Readings focus on topics such as social theory, ethnic studies and theories of alterity and ontology. Students are encouraged to examine ideological constructs of their own identities and to begin to think about how this research can translate into performance. Prerequisite: PFAR 233.

PFAR 345
Dance of Africa II (3)
This class is both a continuation of PFAR 245 as well as an introduction for students new to African dance. Examining different dances than those taught in PFAR 245, it revisits dance and rhythm from diverse cultural traditions of Africa. Students learn to hold respect for cultural traditions including the role dance plays in community, the relationship between student and teacher, and the joys of dance. Students are required to maintain a practice regimen and attend community-sponsored traditional African dance concerts. Students dance hard, have fun and are required to participate in a performance weekend at the end of the semester. Students are expected to wear traditional dance costumes for public performances and for class.

PFAR 350
Acting: Performance and Presence (3)
This course provides ongoing training in the basic principles of acting through exercises, improvisation and scene work. Students develop skills in the area of focus and concentration, visualization, physical action and psychophysical gesture. Students also learn steps to characterization, how to take risks and make informed theatrical choices. This class is a continuation of PFAR 250. Prerequisite: PFAR 250 with a grade of “B” or higher or permission of department.

PFAR 375/575
Contemplative Dance Practice: Body/Mind Awareness (3)
Contemplative dance practice joins the disciplines of sitting meditation with practices from contemporary dance improvisation and movement studies. Sessions include sitting meditation, personal awareness practice, “open space” (working in space with others) and group discussions. Additional course requirements apply to students taking the course for graduate credit. Previous experience in meditation practice is recommended. Prerequisite: PFAR 103, PFAR 203 or permission of instructor.

PFAR 480
Third Year Training: Fruition—Module V
The upper-level curriculum allows for more space to work creatively on final projects, and builds on the first two years of training through advanced technique work and exposure to a range of performance styles in theater, dance and music. This allows the students to lay claim to their artistic vision and begin to see themselves as young-warriorartists- in-training, a view of gentleness, discipline and vision based in Naropa’s contemplative arts tradition. Students work closely with faculty mentors and artists within the community outside of Naropa. Specific course and workshop offerings change from year to year and are based on the needs and special interests of the ensemble.

PFAR 499
Independent Study (1–6)