Dance at MVU · Student ensemble
Repertory Dance Ensemble
Your talent. Your creativity. Your stage.
Dance, music, theatre, visual art, and stage production come together in one ensemble at Missouri Valley University. Join for academic credit or as a club member. You don’t have to be a dance major to take part.
Class or club
two ways to take part
2 credits
per semester in the class
Fall & spring
class offered each semester
Any major
welcome to get involved
A new chapter
More than a dance concert
The ensemble still gives dancers a stage to grow as artists, try out choreography, and show what they’ve learned each semester. Now it also brings in music, theatre, visual art, and other creative work, so performers, artists, and audiences share one collaborative experience.
This fall’s concert theme: New Beginnings. The theme reflects the ensemble’s fresh, collaborative direction. Students, faculty, staff, and community members are all invited to come celebrate the arts at MVU.
Opportunities to get involved
Find your place in the show
Love the spotlight? Prefer working behind the scenes? Either way, there’s a role for you. Here are some of the ways students contribute.
Dance and movement
- Perform dance pieces in a variety of styles.
- Create original choreography and movement.
- Bring specialty, character, or impersonation pieces.
Music and voice
- Play an instrumental solo on piano or another instrument.
- Sing solo or with a group.
- Collaborate with dancers on combined pieces.
Theatre
- Perform one-act plays, monologues, or scenes.
- Develop characters and tell stories on stage.
- Add comedy, improv, or other live entertainment.
Visual art and design
- Exhibit paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, or mixed media.
- Design posters, programs, and ads.
- Create visuals that shape the performance.
Costume design
- Design, make, or curate costumes.
- Use costumes to support character and story.
- Coordinate costumes with each piece’s vision.
Technical production
- Design and run lighting.
- Work on sound design, audio, and music editing.
- Stage-manage and coordinate backstage.
Have another talent? We want to see it. You don’t need to be a dance major, an experienced performer, or even comfortable on stage to make a real contribution. Tell Kristen Revis what you’d like to share.
How to join
One ensemble, two ways to take part
Choose the option that fits your schedule and goals. Both give you chances to create, perform, collaborate, and serve the community.
For academic credit
Take it as a class
Enroll in Repertory Dance Ensemble as part of your schedule. You’ll learn several pieces in different styles, along with dance production, and earn a grade based on participation, attendance, and course expectations.
- 2 credits per semester (DANC 299 or DANC 499)
- Offered fall and spring; a two-semester commitment is strongly encouraged
- Repeatable up to 8 credits at each level
- $60 course fee
For extracurricular involvement
Join as a club
Take part without enrolling in the course or earning credit. Club members join performances, creative projects, and community outreach, and connect with other students who love dance.
- No course enrollment or grade
- Perform and work on creative projects
- Help with community outreach
Dance majors: the class counts toward the 4 credit hours of performance required in the Bachelor’s in Dance.
Community outreach
Dance badges for local scouts
Dance majors in the ensemble partner with local Girl Scout troops and Scouting America groups. Through fun, hands-on dance activities, they help scouts build confidence and creativity while working toward the Girl Scout Dance Badge or the Scouting America Dance Lab Badge.
Lead a troop or group?
Reach out to plan a session with our dance majors. We’d love to help your scouts earn their badge.
Support the ensemble
Where your support goes
Students raise money throughout the year by working Kansas City Chiefs games, serving together while funding the ensemble. Donations from alumni, families, and community supporters add to that work and help pay for:
Costumes and production
New costumes and materials that bring each piece to life on stage.
Professional performances
Trips to professional dance, theatre, and other live performances that broaden students’ view of the arts.
NDEO conferences
Attending National Dance Education Organization conferences to learn from professionals and build connections.
Dance honor society
Recognition, leadership, and academic achievement through dance honor society activities.
College dance festivals
Performing, taking master classes, and learning alongside dancers and educators from other schools.
Invest in the arts. Inspire the next generation.
Every gift, large or small, opens doors that might otherwise be out of reach for our students. When you give, designate your gift to the Repertory Dance Ensemble so it supports these students directly.
Questions about the ensemble?
Contact Kristen Revis to join, share a talent, plan a scout visit, or support the ensemble.
