WSU should bring back dance major

Bethany+Glover+%28right%29+works+on+barre+exercises+as+part+of+the+dance+program+at+San+Jose+State+University%2C+Oct.+9%2C+2013.

Bethany Glover (right) works on barre exercises as part of the dance program at San Jose State University, Oct. 9, 2013.

During our years of education we learn to express our talents and individuality through writing, music, sports, and sometimes through our pre-requisite studies.

Students who major in music express themselves through their songs and instruments, and athletes show their passion through the sports they play.

The same thing can be said about dancers, only through their movements and use of techniques.

In 2011 Washington State University students who were studying dance had their studios taken away from them when the university eliminated the Department of Theatre and Dance.

This department should be brought back.

According to WSU’s College of Liberal Arts website, the Department of Theatre and Dance was eliminated due to budget cuts and a need to continue programs in higher-demand.

It is unfortunate to think at the time the department did not meet standards as a high-demand program. This discussion arose in 2009, according to The Seattle Times.

Although the closure was upsetting for theatre and dance students alike, President Elson S. Floyd made the decision to create the Washington State University Performing Arts (WSUPA) the same year.

This is a professional performing arts presenter open to all students. Their mission is to establish WSU as the center of cultural life on the Palouse through performing arts and entertainment, as stated by the WSU Performing Arts website.

They offer acting, directing, playwriting, stage management, and technical direction in Daggy Hall.

While it is great for those students who have affection for theatre, there was still not a place for students with a devotion to dance. That is why there are now dance registered student organizations in place.

As it stands, there are currently about six different dance companies, teams and clubs that are part of WSU and led by students. These groups include the break dancers, swing dancers, belly dancers, DETOUR Dance Company, Group Effort Dance Company, and the Crimson Girls.

All of the students who are now part of these clubs and organizations probably would have liked the opportunity to choose to have a form of dance as a major or a minor.

When you ask students why they picked their minor, the answer is usually because they enjoy the subject. I cannot speak for all of the student dancers, but as an active member of DETOUR Dance Company I would have loved to minor in dance.

In addition to bringing back the dance program, the choice to dance as a major would also keep students both physically and mentally fit.

A study showed that frequent dancing can offer protection against dementia. Frequent dancing reduced the risk by 76 percent both in the study of cognitive and physical, as stated by Stanford Dance.

Reviving the Department of Theatre and Dance would also give students the opportunity to meet professional dancers and choreographers.

Much like the University of Idaho, the department could have opportunities to invite performers such as The Armada ID, from Boise, Idaho to come and teach courses. It would be an amazing experience and opportunity for all students interested in dance.

Although WSU already has many colleges to major and minor in, a dance program would be beneficial to our university and bringing back the dance major would give students the opportunity to do what they love for a living.

– Marissa Mararac is a junior communication major from Tacoma. She can be contacted at 335-2290 or by [email protected]. The opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of the staff of The Daily Evergreen or those of Student Publications.