A message from the Chair of the Department of Dance, Professor Larry Attaway
I am often asked “What makes the Butler Dance Department so special?” and “Why has the Department been so successful in attracting the best dancers and the best faculty?” There is no short answer to these questions and but I am firmly convinced that to achieve the level of success that the department is known for requires the personal dedication and professional commitment of the entire Butler dance “family”. Commitment to the discipline of dance, commitment to the art-form of dance, commitment to honoring the traditions of dance, and commitment to pursuing and embracing the elusive future of dance. I can assure everyone that the secret to our success is not magic, it is sheer hard work!
The unrelenting pursuit of excellence in our profession is not just a personal goal but a passion, which I believe can only be achieved by working as an ensemble. There must be a partnership and an expectation of trust between and among the students, the faculty, and the staff. It is this complete dedication to the success of every aspect of the program and a professional work ethic that doesn’t function on a 9-5 time clock that has brought the program to its current status as one of the top five in the nation.
There is no single path to success in the dance world. It is this multiplicity that makes the art-form so interesting and so demanding. The field is highly competitive and to be successful, you need to fully develop all your talents. You must take advantage of all possible opportunities that come your way; expand your artistic growth; be adaptable and be adventurous.
The Department of Dance at Butler University provides high-quality, conservatory-level training for those students that seek future professions in dance. We maintain a national and international voice in the education of well-rounded artist/citizens and develop dancers simultaneously capable of specialization, versatility, technical mastery and mature artistic expression. We instill in our students an understanding of dance in a global context; provide an atmosphere of inclusivity, diversity, and equality; we honor the traditions of the art-form while encouraging exploration in innovative practices.
Our programs provide a foundation of dance training with a central but non-exclusive focus on classical ballet, which is integrated with a rigorous liberal arts education.
The performance wing of the department, the ButlerBallet, provides excellent quality concert dance to Butler University, to the city of Indianapolis, and to the region. We consistently present professional level performances with the highest production standards in light, set, and costume design.
We are who we are because we all believe that each and every day, we must dance the very best dance in the very best way possible. It is your continuing support that makes it possible for us to achieve these lofty goals. So, on behalf of the entire Butler Dance community, I thank you for your generosity.
-Professor Larry Attaway, Chair, Department of Dance
Your generous support of the Dance Department helps with:
ButlerBallet mainstage productions
There are seemingly infinite moving parts that take a production from studio to stage. Your gifts help support costumes, lighting equipment, special effects used on stage, and more for our three annual flagship productions.
Visiting guest artists
In order to reman relevant to the current practices in the field, the Department of Dance seeks to bring in guest artists in the profession to teach master classes, talk with the students about “taking the next step” after graduation, and sometimes for special performances. This connection to the professional world of dance is an essential part of a young dancer’s education and is an invaluable experience for our students.
