American College Dance Association

The Department of Theatre & Dance is a member of the American College Dance Association (ACDA), which sponsors the National College Dance Festival (NCDF). The NCDF showcases work from regional conferences across the country at gala concerts that take place at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater. The department’s University Dancers have performed at two National conference galas, showcasing pieces choreographed by Robert Battle, Artistic Director, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City.

ACDA also sponsors regional conferences that offer students the opportunity to engage in workshops, lectures, demonstrations and master classes taught by instructors from around the country. Students have the opportunity to present scholarly research at the conference as well. At both the regional and national conferences, students benefit from having their work adjudicated by a panel of nationally recognized dance professionals in an open and constructive forum. The conferences are the primary means for college and university dance programs to perform outside their own academic setting and be exposed to the diversity of the national college dance world. Many conferences culminate with the presentation of pieces selected for their exemplary artistic quality.