Spelman College
Dance Performance and Choreography
Creativity Meets Critical Thought
Dance at Spelman is a critical and creative thinking laboratory that nurtures women of the African Diaspora. Students investigate intersections of experimental creative practices, cultural discourse, and technology. The curriculum centers on the choreographic process through the lens of black feminist theories, contemporary dance techniques, and interdisciplinary collaborative practice. Students engage with an exciting roster of visiting artists and a departmental faculty of globally recognized working artists who mentor and guide students through scholarship, artistic production, and entrepreneurial strategies. The department cultivates freethinkers and intelligent movers interested in becoming creators, innovators, writers, historians, and scholars within the evolving field of dance. Please refer to the latest dance performance and choreography major requirements for full requirements and course descriptions.
Alumna Spotlight: Tendayi Kuumba
Chita Rivera Outstanding Female Dancer on Broadway 2022 as Lady in Brown in the Tony Nominated Broadway Revival of for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf, Tendayi Kuumba, C'2010, is an international dancer, choreographer, singer,songwriter and Spelman College grad.
Additionally in recent years, Kuumba was an original cast member background vocalist/dancer of Special Tony Award-Winning David Byrne’s American Utopia on Broadway as well as its World Tour since 2018 and the HBO Film adaptation directed by Spike Lee. A former touring company member of Urban Bush Women, Tendayi is a longtime collaborator with partner Greg Purnell under the alias UFLYMOTHERSHIP. Together they build sonic/choreographic projects. These projects include Heroiné, Incog-negro, U.F.O: Stardust Melanin, U.F.O “The Mixtape” and “The Adventures of Mr Left Brain & Ms Right” from their recent Bloodlines commission by the Petronio Residency Center.