Consistently listed as one of the top five collegiate ballet programs in the nation, the Department of Dance provides a rich, nourishing environment for the professional development of the highest caliber of dancers in the nation. Students receive conservatory-level instruction from a faculty of highly respected artists/teachers. ButlerBallet, the performance component of the program, produces extensive professional-level concert dance, including full-length classical productions of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Coppélia, Cinderella, and Giselle; all performed to live orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Richard Auldon Clark. The score of The Nutcracker is further enhanced with the participation of the world-renown Indianapolis Children’s Choir (Joshua Pedde, artistic director). The performances of these 19th- and 20th-century masterpieces are the foundation of the department’s philosophy and training, and are central to the artistic development of its students. By presenting the technically difficult repertoire in its purest classical form, we honor the stylistic and historical importance of these ballet classics. Along with these traditional classics the ButlerBallet also presents masterworks from the repertoire of contemporary ballet and modern dance masters; fosters the innovative and original works of its resident choreographers; and commissions new works from established and up-and-coming choreographers. Butler University has been a fully accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD) since 1992. The organization is composed of schools and individuals representing the highest traditions and aims in the education of dance students. The association provides a forum for the examination and improvement of practices and professional standards in dance education and training. Butler University highly values its membership in NASD.
18-30
8/28/24-5/6/25
Unknown
Full time (12-20 hours) per semester
- Available
(14)Irvington House
Double Room per semester
Irvington House
Single Room per semester
Residential College (ResCo)
Double Room per semester
Residential College (ResCo)
Single Room per semester
Fairview House
Double Room per semester
Fairview House
Single Room per semester
Fairview House
Loft Double per semester
Fairview House
Efficiency per semester
Apartment Village
Single Room per semester
Butler Terrace
Double Room per semester
Butler Terrace
Single Room per semester
Irvington House
Triple Room per semester
South Campus Apartments
Double Room per semester
South Campus Apartments
Single Room per semester
Butler is one of very few schools accredited to offer the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance-Performance professional degree. This degree provides excellent preparation for a performing career and beyond. It combines professional specialization with theoretical studies and focuses on the discipline and tradition of classical ballet.
18-30
8/28/24-5/6/25
Unknown
Full time (12-20 hours) per semester
- Available
(14)Irvington House
Double Room per semester
Irvington House
Single Room per semester
Residential College (ResCo)
Double Room per semester
Residential College (ResCo)
Single Room per semester
Fairview House
Double Room per semester
Fairview House
Single Room per semester
Fairview House
Loft Double per semester
Fairview House
Efficiency per semester
Apartment Village
Single Room per semester
Butler Terrace
Double Room per semester
Butler Terrace
Single Room per semester
Irvington House
Triple Room per semester
South Campus Apartments
Double Room per semester
South Campus Apartments
Single Room per semester
This degree prepares a student for a career as a private dance teacher. The curriculum has a balanced combination of courses in dance, education, and liberal arts.
18-30
8/28/24-5/6/25
Unknown
Full time (12-20 hours) per semester
- Available
(14)Irvington House
Double Room per semester
Irvington House
Single Room per semester
Residential College (ResCo)
Double Room per semester
Residential College (ResCo)
Single Room per semester
Fairview House
Double Room per semester
Fairview House
Single Room per semester
Fairview House
Loft Double per semester
Fairview House
Efficiency per semester
Apartment Village
Single Room per semester
Butler Terrace
Double Room per semester
Butler Terrace
Single Room per semester
Irvington House
Triple Room per semester
South Campus Apartments
Double Room per semester
South Campus Apartments
Single Room per semester
This degree combines dance courses with business courses related to not-for-profit arts management and a strong internship program to prepare students for careers and leadership positions in the arts.