Hey, sorry to sort of butt in on the conversation, but I noticed something that you said and it sort of threw me for a loop.
So you use deshanked pointe shoes, which is totally fine with me, but you make it sound like you actually go up on them. I thought that you weren't supposed to do that because....well.... there is no shank. I thought they were only for helping to work through the foot, keep you from gripping the floor with your toes, etc. But not to go up on like a regular pointe shoe. What's that all about?
Another question! I know greek life is huge on the Butler campus and I personally am not interested in it. Is there any difference between the dance girls that do participate in greek life and the ones that don't? I ask only because I've heard some rumors that the dance girls in sororities are in the "In" group and the ones that aren't are shunned. It might seem petty, but if I do get accepted and I am going to spend the next four years at Butler, I would just like to know what I am getting into.
So now I just have to hope I actually make it into the dance program (I auditioned this last Friday). Crossing my fingers!
Ah, you must have been in my audition class! Were you the group that auditioned while the studio had been converted into a studio theater?
Deshanked shoes:
The only thing I think that was said was: "We wear deshanked shoes for technique classes. I had never worn them before I came here, and some girls complain about them, but they really don’t bother my feet at all. If you are having problems or pain or something, you just put on soft shoes for a few days for technique, and it’s fine. I didn’t wear deshanked shoes for about a month because I cracked my toe."
You don't go up on them. Um... They've not been pushing the deshanked shoes this year (I haven't heard anyone say anything about them), so some have reverted to soft shoes. I still wear deshanks because... several reasons, but I like them, so I wear them. I do not go en pointe in them.
Greek Life:
The quick answer: Well, I'm not Greek, and I don't feel shunned! :)
The long answer: There are a fair number of dancers who've gone Greek (and of those who did not), but Butler is a small campus and recruitment is in the spring, not immediately after freshman arrive. That way the new students get to experience "normal" college life first before deciding to rush, and they have the opportunity to make friends within their entire class. In fact, if you rush the second semester of the freshman year (the earlier possible), you still live in the same freshman dorm for the remainder of the year. Thus the famous Greek--non-Greek divide isn't as much of an issue at Butler because you retain those early friendships. Also, Greek life is pretty active, but it's not "huge." Because Butler is small, I feel like Greek life can't be huge. Everything on campus is so close together. We are all thrown together during class times anyway--at least, the dancers are.
Sure, those who are in Greek life are good friends, since they have to participate in so many activities together. But the same could be said of those non-Greeks who are in the same housing units or who have the same hobbies or whatever. There are groups, but they are not like the stereotypical high school "in" and "out" crowds. I feel that my (sophomore dancer) class is especially close. You have to be, since you take so many of your classes together.
It could also be said that those who are Greek are crazy busy. I know I wouldn't have time to live in a sorority, but then again, I feel like I am crazy busy as well. So basically, Greek life is not that important in terms of determining who your friends are because of the size of the campus and the time of recruitment, and you have plenty of other opportunities to get involved.
I hope this answers your question, and good luck with all your auditions!
Hello,
If you are not a dance major and have only a 1 year or 1 1/2 years of dance training, can you still take dance at Butler? Could you minor in dance? I am very interested.
Please let me know.
Thanks,
Jessie
Hi,
I have a question about the Pedagogy program. I'm interested in the performance and pedagogy program and I can't decide which one I want to do more. Is it possible to combine the two majors?
Zoe
Hi Jessie,
I know there are classes for non-majors in ballet--I think in either modern or jazz as well. So yes, you can continue to take classes. As for the dance minor, I'm not sure. The only minors I know were those who began the program as majors. If you want more information, tell me, and I'll try to find out.
And hello Zoe,
If you are interested in pedagogy, go for it! Being a pedagogy or an arts admin major does not mean you won't get to perform or you won't have a career in performing. All three types of major (BFA Performance, BS Arts Admin, and BA Pedagogy) participate in Butler Ballet, which means they all perform in shows like The Nutcracker and Cinderella. I wrote a blog post about scheduling here, if you are interested.
The BS and BA majors do not require quite as many semesters of Butler Ballet or as many different dance classes, but they still require dance electives, which are those classes, too. I think that makes sense, and I hope that's accurate (I'm a BFA).
To answer your question, I'm not sure how you'd combine the majors, since so many of the classes are so similar. I would advise you to take the BA route, since you'll still have ample performing experience and many, many technique classes.
I hope this helps!
Olivia