JMU London Contemporary Dance and Performance Summer Intensive

Summer 2012: June 13 to July 18 (tentative dates)

Program Location

As a visitor to this dynamic European city, you will find numerous opportunities to explore the arts.  From West End theatres to the Royal Opera House -  London is a the playground for international performance and culture.  This JMU program will include outings such as visits to the Globe Theatre, the Theatre Museum, the Laban Centre, and other important cultural/artistic sites. Besides the numerous performance viewings, group social events will be scheduled, including a final “Celebration Picnic “at the closing of the term.

Academic Program

The JMU London Contemporary Dance & Performance Summer Intensive is a summer program for intermediate to advanced students in dance or movement performance study. The Intensive focuses on rigorous training in contemporary dance techniques (modern and jazz) as well as opportunities to view cutting edge performance work in London.  The Intensive will expose the student to the rich performance scene of this truly international city.  Each participant will experience “total artistic immersion” in London. Over the 25 days, the students will see more than 12 performances by internationally acclaimed companies and emerging artists, including events at London’s world famous theatres as well as site-specific works in alternative spaces. Students will take as many as 16 classes in dance/performance training techniques, taught by JMU and British faculty members, and an array of London-based professionals. Intensive participants will meet together each week for a master class in an area of shared relevance such as improvisation, pilates, yoga and somatic approaches.  Program outings will include visits to the Globe Theatre, the Theatre Museum, the Laban Centre, and other important cultural/artistic sites.  Social events will be scheduled, including  a final “Celebration Picnic”  at the closing of the term.

 Students will be graded according to participants continual work within the Intensive and their fulfillment of all assignments listed within the syllabi of each course.  All course arranged classes will be held at the historic Drill Hall Performance Center in Bloomsbury, London, with students taking numerous other technique courses through the dance centers of the city.

Instructional methods include lectures, field work and journal assignment and/or papers.

Tentative course offerings:
Each student will take two courses for a total of four credit hours.

Dance Track
DANC 390 New Direction in Dance, (3)
DANC 490 Special Studies in Dance, (1)

The London Intensive will have two to four professional artists from the London area as main instructors for the weekly set classes.  Students will also take classes on their own through studios in the city. 

Accommodations

Students will reside at a superior housing facility located in the historic Bloomsbury district of London.  Each student will have their own room and will have breakfast provided every morning.  In addition, students receive a weekly food stipend sufficient to pay for one other substantial meal a day. Participants will receive a Zone 1-2 Tube pass for travel within London.  The Intensive pays for program related travel outside this zone area. 

Program Costs

For the current projected costs for this program, please click on the following link to the Fees for JMU Study Abroad Programs page.

Exact cost may vary slightly depending on the spring 2012 exchange rate and total number of students enrolled. The projected cost includes tuition, lodging and daily breakfast, a weekly £45 food allowance, plus all program expenses including travel in London, admissions, classes and social events.  Airfare to and from London is not included.  Students will schedule their own flight arrangements to London.

Assistantship

Two assistants will be recruited from students accepted into the program. The assistantships will carry a $500 stipend.  Financial aid can be applied to study abroad courses, but a total of 6 credits must be taken during the 2012 summer terms.  Contact JMU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for information

Application

For more detailed instructions and to download the application, please click on the following link to the Applications and Forms section for JMU Short-Term Programs.

The London Intensive is seeking intermediate to advanced dance students who desire the opportunity to expand their artistic training in a serious and structured urban environment. The Intensive is open to JMU and non-JMU students. 

In addition to the Short-term Application, interested students should submit a short resume of dance training, as well as, a faculty recommendation.

Applications are due by November 1, 2011.  If the number of applications exceeds the number of spaces in the program, the OIP and Program Director will use resumes, phone interviews, grade level and GPA to select students.

For More Information

Director Shane O’Hara is the Coordinator of the Dance Program of the School of Theatre and Dance at James Madison University. He has directed numerous programs in London and his background includes extensive artistic work in the United States and abroad, including work in London, Portugal, Italy, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Hungary and Poland. 

For additional information about the London Contemporary Theatre and Dance Summer intensive program, please contact the program director:

Shane O’Hara
School of Theatre and Dance
Professor, Dance Program
Tel.: 540-568-3504
E-mail: oharast@jmu.edu