In the Spring of 2000, the LSU Department of Theatre began offering a dance minor requiring 18 hours of concentrated study. The dance program, coordinated by Molly Buchmann, also employs Susan Perlis as ballet specialist and rotating specialists in modern dance and jazz.

Master classes enhance student training with notable dancers including, most recently, Urban Bush Women and David Parsons. Students in the dance minor, which is modern-based, are also encouraged to have a strong foundation in ballet.

Classes are offered through the Department of Theatre and include
· 1800 Introduction to Dance
· 1131 Beginning Ballet
· 1127 Beginning Modern
· 1153 Beginning Jazz
· 1231 Intermediate Ballet
· 1227 Intermediate Modern
· 1253 Intermediate Jazz
· 1804 Dance Production for Dancers (audition only)
· 3802 Dance Composition
· 3803 Dance Improvisation
· 4801 Dance History
· 4804 Dance Production for Choreographers

To achieve the dance minor students should complete six technique classes from the selection of beginning and intermediate courses in ballet, modern dance and jazz. Each course may be taken twice for credit. Other required courses include Introduction to Dance, Dance History and Dance Composition or Dance Improvisation. One additional 3-hour elective is required in Stage Movement or Dance Theatre. The Dance Theatre class, which is offered at the 1000 level for dancers and the 4000 level for choreographers, is open by audition only. Students in these classes comprise the LSU Dance Ensemble and plan and implement the annual Dance Concert in May.

The Dance Ensemble is often invited to perform at campus and off-campus functions. With an enrollment of approximately 80 students, the dance minor continues to expand embracing new trends in dance while emphasizing the fundamentals.