Ou Dance

- Reynolds Performing Arts Center, 560 Parrington Oval Room 1000, Norman, OK 73019

The **OU Dance** program, officially the School of Dance at the University of Oklahoma, is an internationally recognized **point of interest** located in **Norman, Oklahoma**. It is widely regarded as one of the leading collegiate **Dance school** programs in the nation, with a distinguished history that began with the arrival of Ballet Russe De Monte Carlo principals in 1961. The school is devoted to performance, teaching, choreography, and artistic education, providing a professional environment for students who are serious about pursuing a career in dance.

The program’s core focus lies in providing comprehensive and rigorous **Dance Programs In The** disciplines of classical ballet and modern dance. This commitment is reflected in its high standing, often competing for top students with prestigious institutions across the country. Beyond degree programs, OU Dance significantly enriches the cultural landscape of **Oklahoma** through its two resident performing companies, the Oklahoma Festival Ballet and Contemporary Dance Oklahoma. It also hosts vital **Special Programs** for the broader **Community Dance** scene, including initiatives like **Dance For Parkinson's**, embodying its commitment to art and service.

OU Dance is ideally situated within the magnificent **Donald W. Reynolds Performing Arts Center** on the main campus of the University of Oklahoma in **Norman, OK**. This dedicated, state-of-the-art facility provides students and visitors with a professional and inspiring environment.

Address:
**Reynolds Performing Arts Center, 560 Parrington Oval Room 1000, Norman, OK 73019, USA**

Being part of a major university campus, the location is central to campus life and offers convenient access for students, faculty, and the public attending **Dance Performances** and events. Accessibility for all patrons is prioritized:

• **Wheelchair accessible parking lot:** Accessible parking is available to ensure convenient arrival for individuals with mobility needs.
• **On-site Facilities:** The Reynolds Performing Arts Center houses multiple large studios, a body conditioning studio, warm-up areas, and the Ballets Russes Archive, all designed to support top-tier **Performing Arts** education.
• **Venue Proximity:** The facility is situated close to other key university resources and the Elsie C. Brackett Theatre, a 570-seat venue used for many mainstage **Dance Performances**.

The program’s offerings, particularly its **Youth Program** and community classes, ensure that the facility is **Good for kids** and families looking for high-quality, pre-professional training and cultural engagement in the **Oklahoma** area.

The services provided by OU Dance are comprehensive, covering intensive academic training, professional performance, and valuable community outreach.

• **Undergraduate Degree Programs:** Offering Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degrees in **Ballet Performance**, Ballet Pedagogy, and **Modern Dance** Performance.
• **Graduate Degree Programs:** Providing a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Dance with emphases available in performance, choreography (**Dance Choreographer** training), or pedagogy.
• **Resident Performing Companies:** Home to two distinguished companies: **Oklahoma Festival Ballet** (classical repertoire) and **Contemporary Dance Oklahoma** (modern works), which provide numerous **Performance Programs** for dance majors.
• **Technique Classes:** Providing a full curriculum of **Technique Classes** from beginning to advanced levels, including ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, hip-hop, composition, and partnering.
• **Community and Special Programs:** Offering **Special Programs** like the Saturday **Youth Program** for young dancers aged 10-18, the Summer Intensive, and therapeutic initiatives such as **Dance For Parkinson's**.
• **Production and Design:** Collaboration with other Fine Arts disciplines, such as the Helmerich School of Drama, on elements like **Lighting Design** for performances.
• **Master Classes and Guest Artists:** Regularly hosting **Master Class** sessions and workshops led by nationally and internationally renowned guest artists and choreographers.
• **Theatrical and Interdisciplinary Opportunities:** Collaborative **Dance Performances** and projects with the OU Opera, Musical Theatre, and School of Drama in **Theatre Dance** and other interdisciplinary settings.

As a leading **Dance school** within the **Oklahoma** region and the nation, OU Dance boasts several key features that underscore its value to the arts community.

• **National Reputation for Excellence:** The program has a 50-year tradition of excellence, recognized by national publications like *The New York Times*, *POINTE magazine*, and *Dance Magazine*, cementing its status among the top programs alongside schools like Juilliard and NYU.
• **Two Resident Companies:** The existence of **Oklahoma Festival Ballet** and **Contemporary Dance Oklahoma** provides a pre-professional training environment, giving students unparalleled **Ballet Performance** and modern dance opportunities.
• **Professional Facilities:** Training takes place in the dedicated **Reynolds Performing Arts Center**, which is equipped with state-of-the-art studios, a body conditioning area, and access to two professional-caliber performance theaters.
• **World-Class Faculty:** Instruction is provided by an award-winning faculty composed of current dance professionals, former professional dancers, and scholars, ensuring students receive the theoretical, historical, and theatrical perspectives needed for a professional career.
• **Extensive Performance Opportunities:** Students participate in three mainstage productions annually, in addition to regional/international tours, and collaborations with other **Performing Arts** departments, offering continuous stage experience.
• **Community Outreach:** The school actively engages with the wider community through its **Youth Program**, summer intensives, and specialized programs like **Dance For Parkinson's**, promoting the art form and accessibility.
• **Scholarship Support:** Through the support of organizations like Dance Partners, the school has generated substantial funds for scholarships, helping attract and support highly talented students from across the U.S. and around the world.
• **Historical Significance:** Home to the Ballets Russes Archive, offering students a direct link to the historical context of classical ballet.

For prospective students interested in the BFA or MFA **Dance Programs In The**, or for members of the **Oklahoma** community wishing to attend a **Dance Performance** or inquire about the **Youth Program**, please use the contact information below.

Address:
Reynolds Performing Arts Center, 560 Parrington Oval Room 1000, Norman, OK 73019, USA

Main University Phone (General Inquiries/Directory Assistance):
For specific department or box office phone numbers related to the School of Dance, local users should typically consult the University of Oklahoma main directory or website for the most direct contact information for **Dance Performances** or academic applications.

The facility is best contacted through the University of Oklahoma’s departmental channels to ensure access to the appropriate academic or box office staff for **Special Events** and classes. Local users should also visit the OU Dance website to review the detailed performance schedule and program requirements.

For aspiring dancers in **Oklahoma** and beyond, choosing **OU Dance** is choosing a pre-professional training environment that operates at the highest collegiate level. What makes this **point of interest** truly worth selecting is the fusion of elite academic rigor with expansive professional performance opportunities. Few **Dance school** programs offer two full resident companies—the **Oklahoma Festival Ballet** and **Contemporary Dance Oklahoma**—where students can regularly perform classical and contemporary repertoire set by world-class choreographers.

Furthermore, the investment in the **Reynolds Performing Arts Center** demonstrates a commitment to dancer welfare and training quality that is unmatched in the region. Students here are not only learning steps in **Technique Classes** but are deeply immersed in the theatrical and scholarly elements of the **Performing Arts**, from **Lighting Design** collaborations to in-depth dance history. For parents in **Oklahoma** seeking the strongest path for their child's dance career, the **OU Dance** program provides the necessary credentials, facilities, faculty, and performance record to launch a successful career, while also actively serving the **Community Dance** sector with highly valuable **Special Programs**.

Ou Dance

Reynolds Performing Arts Center, 560 Parrington Oval Room 1000, Norman, OK 73019, USA