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School of Dance
137 Putnam Hall
Athens, Ohio 45701
A group of students dressed in dark blue hold a pose during a dance performance in front of a dark blue background.
Dance Production
Certificate

Dance Production Certificate

The undergraduate Dance Production Certificate is for dance, theater, musical theater, and theater production/design/technology students, as well as other interested students, who wish to gain a deeper knowledge of the differentiation between Lighting and Production for Theatre vs. Lighting and Production for Dance.

The intent of this certificate is to develop students’ abilities to work in the field of dance production and lighting, or in theater production and design with in-depth knowledge of dance production, thus expanding their future design opportunities and careers. The student will have hands-on practical experience engaging in production for both theatre-specific and dance-specific productions.

The most distinguishing feature of this curriculum is the dance movement component, which allows the student to experience the process and needs of the performer, and to therefore better understand the rehearsal and production process from multiple perspectives. All areas of performance, production and design are covered in this certificate.

  • Admission to the Certificate

    This certificate program is open to all currently enrolled undergraduate students. Students must complete an application form to indicate their interest and availability, as many of the required courses have specialized time commitments based on show production schedules.

    Update of Program Form

  • Courses & Curriculum

    The Dance Production Certificate program requires a minimum of 15 credit hours. All students must begin the program with DANC 1801 - Dance Production I. Students without prior training in dance techniques can take beginner level courses.

    View Courses & Requirements in the Official Academic Catalog

Careers with a Dance Production Certificate

This certificate will provide a key credential for employment in the field of dance lighting and dance production. For School of Theater students in Production, Design, and Technology, it expands their knowledge base and aids their versatility in the field. A number of School of Theater students who took DANC 2801 - Lighting for Dance have secured positions upon graduation because of this specialization.

For School of Dance and other students interested in employment in dance production, this certificate provides an important credential on their transcript. Just over the past four years, more than eight students have accepted internships and paid positions in dance production at prestigious dance festivals such as Jacob’s Pillow, American Dance Festival, and Bates Dance Festival. Three of them now hold full-time positions at Jacob’s Pillow, Shawnee State University, and the Charlotte Ballet, while another is working freelance in New York City.

Ohio University students perform Coming Together at the 2026 Winter Dance

  • Questions?

    If you have questions or would like more information about Dance Production Certificate, please contact Professor Tresa Randall.

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