The Creative Process In this course, students will have the opportunity to dig deeply into their own creativity and explore the processes by which ideas emerge and are given shape in the arts. The experiential nature of this course integrates cognition and action, mind and body.  Students will engage in a range of modes of discovering, knowing, and communicating, which are designed to push them beyond their present state of awareness and level of confidence in their creative power.  Practical work will be closely accompanied by readings and journaling, culminating with the creation and performance of a short project.

Improvisational Practices In this course students will gain an embodied understanding of the practices and techniques needed to proceed to advanced improvisational work. Research into forms such as partnering, ensemble work, text, musical exercises, compositions, and scores/projects will focus on mapping the moving body in the moment. Readings, journals, and responses to video viewings and live performances contribute to the exploration of historical contexts, aesthetics, and cultural improvisations.

Technique & Composition  This is the first course in the studio sequence for students entering Middlebury with significant previous dance experience. It is also the course sequence for those continuing on from DANC 0160 and provides grounding in the craft of modern dance needed to proceed to more advanced levels. Modern dance movement techniques are strengthened to support an emerging individual vocabulary and facility with composition. Students regularly create and revise movement studies that focus on the basic elements of choreography and the relationship of music and dance. Readings, journals, and formal critiques of video and live performance contribute to the exploration of dance aesthetics and develop critical expertise.

Technique Workshop This advanced physical and theoretical study of a variety of movement techniques will further prepare dance majors and minors for the rigors of performance, technical craft, and physical research.  Exercises and discussions will revolve around increased subtlety, strength, flexibility, musicality, and dynamics with the goal of heightening the communicative range of the moving body.  Rotating movement aesthetics taught by dance faculty. (Major/Minor Only)

Dance Company of Middlebury Dance company of Middlebury (0381) is a continuation of Dance Company Lab (0380) taken in the fall. Both 0380 & 0381 are required to participate in the Dance Company of Middlebury. Dancers work with the artistic director and guest choreographer as part of a dance company, learning, interpreting, rehearsing, and performing repertory dances. Participants can expect daily rehearsals plus technique classes, campus performance, and a tour. Appropriate written work is required. Auditions are held in the spring semester for the next fall (DCM 0380). Approval Required; limited to sophomores through seniors by audition.

Dance Company of Middlebury Dancers work with the artistic director and guest choreographer as a member of a dance company, learning, interpreting, rehearsing, and performing dances created for performance and tour. Those receiving credit can expect four to six rehearsals weekly. Appropriate written work, concert and film viewing, and attendance in departmental technique classes are required. One credit will be given for each term of participation. Performances and tour(s) are scheduled in January. (Limited to sophomores through seniors, by audition.)

Anatomy and Kinesiology This course offers an in-depth experiential study of skeletal structure, and includes aspects of the muscular, organ, endocrine, nervous, and fluid systems of the human body. The goal is to enhance efficiency of movement and alignment through laboratory sessions, supported by assigned readings, exams, and written projects.

Choreography & Performance This course involves concentrated intermediate-advanced level work in contemporary dance technique and choreography culminating in production. Theoretical issues of importance to the dancer/choreographer are addressed through readings, writings and practice.

Introduction to Dance This entry-level dance course introduces movement techniques, improvisation/composition, performance, experiential anatomy, and the history of dance. Students develop flexibility, strength, coordination, rhythm, and vocabulary in the modern idiom. Concepts of time, space, energy, and choreographic form are presented through improvisation and become the basis for a final choreographic project. Readings, research, and reflective and critical writing about dance performance round out the experience.

Collaborating Across the Arts Collaborating Across the Arts invites students to playfully research and practice cooperative methodologies. This course centers on the idea that interdisciplinary dialog sparks original thinking and generates creative material. During the semester, we will participate in live interdisciplinary performance events through workshops, performance viewings, and reflective writing. The semester will culminate in a student performance. By studying and practicing cooperative tools for artistic creation, we engage a sense of enthusiasm and curiosity for what can be discovered when we collaborate. Both experienced artists and beginners are welcome.

Writing the Body In this course we will examine the dialogue between the language of the dancing body and the written word through the mediums of movement, contemplative practice, and creative writing, with a focus on poetry and spoken word. Our principal modalities of somatic investigation, textual analysis, reflective writing prompts, and a final performance project all serve to facilitate the discovery of authentic artistic expression in bridging body and voice. This is an experientially based seminar aimed at building a creative process: connecting the insights that emerge from physical discovery to the artful design of language.

Laurel Jenkins

Reviews and ratings for Laurel Jenkins at Middlebury College.Laurel Jenkins teaches The Creative Process, Improvisational Practices, Technique & Composition and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Laurel Jenkins good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

This course was relatively easy. Most weeks had some minimal required reading or projects that needed to be worked on outside of class, but nothing too difficult or time consuming. Laurel was generally very nice and well-intentioned, but also extremely eccentric and we did have two separate guest speakers that did just spew straight psuedo-scientific garbage. There was a strong focus on dance, movement, and weirdly meditation. Overall a very easy course, but I'm not sure I would recommend it as anything besides an easy arts credit. 

Great course for starting to compose dance and to create in a supportive environment. I learned a lot both from the teacher and the community of the class. Definitely an essential course as a Dance major, but also for people who dance and want to start choreographing.

Great course that helps take some of the load off your schedule. I really enjoyed the meditation and the guest lecturers she would bring. My semester's cohort was pretty engaged which made the whole experience more fun. I recommend signing up with a friend if you want to maximize your enjoyement