Faculty Profile
Sarah Skaggs
Associate Professor of Dance; Director of Dance (2008)
Contact Information
Montgomery House
717-245-1771
Bio
Sarah Skaggs, artistic director of Sarah Skaggs Dance, is an internationally renowned choreographer from New York City. She has received numerous fellowships -- from The National Endowment for the Arts, The Jerome, Harkenss, Greenwall, and Rockefeller foundations. Her work focuses on the relationship between the body and spirituality as impacted by social and political crises. Recently, she completed a multi-year cycle of choreographic works dealing with the body and disaster, particularly with respect to September 11th. At Dickinson she teaches Dance History, Modern Technique, Somatics, and Choreography.
Education
- B.A., Sweet Briar College, 1979
- M.F.A., Hollins University, 2007
2025-2026 Academic Year
Fall 2025
THDA 111 Classical Ballet Begin Level
Classes taught under the direction of the CPYB faculty. Instruction is based on the nationally recognized ballet syllabus originally developed by Marcia Dale Weary, founder and artistic director of the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Careful consideration to alignment, placement and proper execution of steps will be covered in depth. Studio/classroom location is TBA. This .5 class counts towards the Arts Requirement when taken with a .5 Movement Studio class. Credit/no credit
THDA 121 Movement Studio
Movement Studio courses are offered at two levels: I. the foundational level assumes no previous dance experience; II. the intermediate level is open to students who demonstrate basic accomplishment in dance technique. All courses explore the principles of modern and contemporary dance techniques, emphasizing physical and embodied awareness, connection and expression. Materials will be selected from a variety of contemporary dance and movement training practices such as Pilates, Yoga, Somatics, Ballet, Hip Hop, and Jazz to promote performance of a range of movement dynamics, as well as musicality, strength, flexibility, and improved body alignment. Each course is designed to develop students’ movement skills in an active and supportive environment that promotes creative investigation and fosters a deeper understanding of dance as an art form and social practice. Each course may be repeated for credit with permission of the instructor. Each carries .5 academic credit. Two .5 academic credits of dance one in Movement Studio and one in the genre of their choosing will satisfy the requirement. Prerequisite: None for THDA 121/122; for THDA 221/222 permission of instructor
THDA 125 Intro Classical Indian Dance
This course will introduce the movement vocabulary and performance techniques of dance form(s) from different cultures. In this studio-based course, students will develop their skills as performers of specific styles/forms of dance from around the world. The historical and cultural significance of the dance form(s) will also be addressed. Each course may be repeated for credit with permission of the instructor. Carries .5 academic credit. This .5 class counts towards the Arts Requirement when taken with a .5 Movement Studio class.
THDA 211 Classical Ballet Interm Level
Permission of Instructor Required.
THDA 235 Costume Design
This course connects students with the process of costume design from concept to creation to performance. The first half of the semester will be connected with the department’s production program where students will assist the resident designer and observe the process of manifesting design ideas on stage while studying design skills in a studio setting. The second half of the semester will focus on students designing for other students in semester showcase productions and/or Freshworks.Prerequisite: 132 or permission of the instructor.
THDA 300 Acting II:Mvmt/Voice Technique
This course will explore the creative process through movement and language. The student will work individually and in groups to create performance pieces based upon principles of text and movement. The class aims to develop the expressive power of the voice and body while fostering interdisciplinary thinking and artistic experimentation and an appreciation for the historic intersection of dance and theater. Prerequisite: 203 and/or 200-level movement.
THDA 311 Classicl Ballet Adv Level
Classes taught under the direction of the CPYB faculty. Entry into THDA 311/312 is by audition only. (CPYB Certificate) Instruction is based on the nationally recognized ballet syllabus originally developed by Marcia Dale Weary, founder and artistic director of the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Careful consideration to alignment, placement and proper execution of steps will be covered in depth. All classes are taught at the CPYB Warehouse three days a week, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 3:00-4:30. Each course may be repeated for credit with permission of the instructor. This satisfies the Arts distribution credit when taken for a full credit, or for.5 credit with a .5 Movement Studio class. Credit/No Credit.
THDA 411 Classical Ballet Cert/Pre-prof
Permission of Instructor Required.
THDA 495 Senior Project
A culminating experience for students completing the Theatre major with emphasis in Dramatic Literature, Acting/Directing, or Dance. The specific nature of projects will be determined on an individual basis, but all senior projects will consist of at least two of the following: a) scholarship, b) technical/production work, and c) performance. Students will register for .5 course credit in the fall semester, during which planning and research will be conducted, and .5 in the spring, during which presentation of the project will occur. Prerequisite: four .25 course credits in THDA 190.