Creative Writing
Emphasizing fiction and non-fiction prose and poetry, artists-in-residence, visiting poets, playwrights, and novelists work with students to increase writing skills and critical awareness. A juried literary magazine is produced at the end of the program and becomes part of the student portfolio. Personal laptops are not used as students use computer facilities on campus.

Dance
Instruction is primarily modern dance techniques with ballet classes three times a week and composition/repertory classes every day. The work stresses classical body placement, clarity of line and strong energetic movement. Students develop performance, composition and choreographic skills, as well as an historical perspective on the development of modern dance. Dancers often collaborate with other departments and work with nationally known Summer Artists-in-Residence.

Filmmaking
Film students will work with digital video cameras and Final Cut editing software to learn film style production techniques. Filmmakers will produce several short films, collaborating and crewing for each other in small teams. The group will shoot from day one of the program, and learn by experience every aspect of filmmaking. Together, students study storyboarding, screen writing, scoring, producing and editing skills to create their films, using state-of-the-art equipment in Wesleyan's professional labs. Discussions with Guest Artists about marketing, producing, development, and documentary styles enhance knowledge about working in the profession.

Music
Students major in either an instrument or vocal music. They develop their skills in many musical styles by rehearsing and performing in small ensembles with professional coaches, and in Master Classes with internationally known clinicians and Summer Artists-in-Residence.. All musicians study music theory, music history, composition, and ear training. Ensembles include jazz, percussion, string, brass, woodwind, piano, rock, or vocal. Music students will travel off-campus to hear additional performances.

Our Rock Ensemble within the Music Department is for students who want to specialize in studying Rock 'n' Roll guitar, bass, vocals, or drums. Classes are taught by Artist/Instructors with strong Rock 'n' Roll performing backgrounds. Coursework covers major/minor pentatonic scales, chords and progressions, tablature reading, picking/strumming techniques, phrasing, how to "take" songs off a record, communicating with other musicians, "decoding" rock music, etc. Guitarists/bassists/vocalists will have Songwriting, and drummers will study techniques of West African Drumming (hand and stick) as one of their two afternoon ID classes.

Musical Theater
Students majoring in musical theater integrate concentrated actor training with daily voice work and dance. Students work on solo and ensemble performance skills using selections from the American Musical Theater Lexicon. History of Musical Theater and performance opportunities are part of the program

Photography
The focus is on aesthetic, technical, and historical aspects of black and white photography and print developing towards mastery over photographic equipment, materials, and processes. Students use Wesleyan’s studio to work towards mastery over photographic equipment, materials, and processes. They learn qualities of light and shadow, sense of motion, and relationship of subject to frame. Students will also be introduced to digital imaging. Students will shoot film all over the campus, working with other departments and on excursions off-campus. Methods of film development, contact printing and enlarging prepare students for a juried exhibit at Wesleyan's Zilkha Art Gallery.

Technical Theater
This is a design-based program, with emphasis on studying the conceptual and artistic aspects of lighting, sound, set and costume design in direct relationship to readings of plays and scenes. Hands-on application of teachings will help to support the concerts and performances of the Wesleyan Summer Arts Series which take place during the five weeks. Students will receive a combination of lecture and practical work, including discussion and training for Stage Management and Producing. This pre-college design program prepares students for advanced college level study, or entry to the profession. Along with exploring the state-of-the-art Wesleyan University facilities, they will have the opportunity to visit the Goodspeed Opera House and Hartford Stage Company, both Tony Award-winning regional theaters 20 miles from campus for workshops, tours and career talks.

Theater
Theater majors begin with a five-day intensive program in movement for actors, based primarily on the Laban and the Viewpoint techniques. This is designed for the actor and does not require any dance experience. Students start each day with Suzuki method intensive exercises in ensemble building, physical core strength, focus and concentration, voice and diction, and improvisation. Theater students then focus on monologues, scene work and audition preparation. Summer Artists-in-Residence or area professionals offer Master Classes. A field trip to a local professional production supports their studies.

Visual Arts
The curriculum emphasizes visual problem-solving through a variety of drawing and painting media in both realistic and abstract styles. The focus is on aesthetic, technical and historical concerns, employing skills in drawing, and color rendering. Students engage in an in-depth practical course employing skills in drawing, color rendering, sculpting and model making. Students will be introduced to digital imaging. Art library assignments and a major fieldtrip develop historic context for art study. Students have evening access to studio facilities. The program culminates with a juried exhibit and individual portfolio development.

Students have the choice of two two-week interdisciplinary art workshops. Each student will increase understanding of the relationship of art specialties to other disciplines and the creative process among all the art forms in these workshops. These will be shared in performances, exhibits, and social activities. Some classes are required for certain majors, or open specifically for non-majors. We strongly encourage students to move outside their major art form for the afternoon classes (unless indicated as required for your major). One or two of these choices may change; any new offerings will be posted at a later date.

Ballroom/Swing Dance and More…
Social dance crazes are as old as time; it is the most popular dance form in terms of public awareness and direct participation. Social dance promotes couple and group interaction. Students will learn 6 – 8 popular partner dances taught in Ballroom Dance Studios, and they will explore the relationship between social dance and its historical and cultural influences. Open to all.

Caribbean Steel Pan Orchestra
A Steel Pan Orchestra is a unique opportunity to experience multicultural learning through the arts. Discover a broader world of music through the sounds, rhythms, and songs of other cultures. This ensemble will play traditional calypso and soca from Trinidad, as well as classical, of the steel band; explore improvisation and compositional techniques; and gain an understanding of the vital role of music in Caribbean culture. For Share Day, we will create a musical celebration in the spirit of Carnival. Open to all students.

Fashion Design
In this introductory course, students will receive first-hand knowledge of the ins and outs of the fashion industry. Over the course of two weeks, we will explore foundational fashion illustration skills and their place in the modern day industry. Also, students will learn the importance of textile design and have the opportunity to create designs and understand practical applications. Students will get the opportunity to learn how seasonal trends develop, and will also be able to create a final collection of their own.

Japanese Painting (Sumi-e)
Sumi-e is a style of black-and-white calligraphic ink painting that originated in China and eventually was introduced into Japan by Zen monks around 1333. We will learn basic technique and composition of this traditional Japanese painting and concentrate on the four basic compositions of sumi-e: bamboo, chrysanthemum, orchid, and plum blossom. We will also study the works of the more famous schools, such as Kano. Students will create a portfolio of class exercises and their own creative pieces.

Javanese Gamelan
At Wesleyan, undergraduates and graduate students have the opportunity to learn about other cultures by playing their music. A favorite class is the Javanese gamelan, an orchestra of gongs and metallophones, a two-stringed bowed lute, a wooden xylophone, a bamboo flute, and two-headed drums. Wesleyan’s beautiful red and gold leaf court-style gamelan was built over 100 years ago in Java, an island in the country of Indonesia. In Java, the gamelan provides the essential musical accompaniment for all-night puppet shows, dances, feasts, and ceremonies. Listeners have compared the sound of the gamelan to angels singing, a river running, and “moonlight poured over the fields.” Since the instruments range in difficulty from fairly easy to challenging, both musicians and non-musicians are invited to broaden their knowledge of world music, melody and rhythm in this class. The course will also introduce students to other aspects of Indonesian culture, such as dance and puppet theater.

Musical Theater for Non-Majors
Students will be introduced to basic principles of acting, vocal work, music, movement, and interpretation. We will apply these principles while studying various genres of this most American invention, Musical Theater from the early 1940’s through today. This course is for non-majors.

Play Writing
The playwright is asked to present the private act of writing in its most public forum. This class seeks to capitalize on the dual nature of play writing by including not only a daily writing lab, but also a collaborative approach to developing and presenting student work. We will focus on creating believable dialogue, truthful characters and compelling dramatic action. Play Writing is open to all students in any discipline.

Slam Poetry
Speak out! The art of slam poetry is all about creative writing with a contemporary performance twist. With a rich history as a highly accessible art form and often a vehicle for change in local communities, slam poets combine big voices, smooth rhythms, and a passion for telling it like it is. Such notables as Anis Mojgani, Saul Williams, Bassey Ikpi and Black Ice, and even Talib Kweli and Kanye West started out by taking the stage. Students will be exposed to the structure, and performance of slam poetry through a variety of media (including video clips, published poems, and writing and sharing exercises). Students will develop their own creative writing and performing skills, collaborate on group slam pieces, and ultimately produce slam poems for performance.

Songwriting Workshop
Songwriting Workshop is intended for students who write songs or who have musical ideas they would like to turn into completed songs. We will stress creativity over formula, establishing a supportive environment where songwriters can work on their craft, collaborate with peers, and receive constructive feedback. Students will work together on daily assignments given by the teacher and then workshop the results with the whole class. There will also be opportunities for students to receive feedback on individual compositions. Each class session will also feature music analysis and discussion of musical terms. This class is founded on the idea that any creative person can be a songwriter. Basic instrumental or vocal skills are encouraged, but highly motivated non-musicians are also welcome.

Stage Combat
Introduction to Stage Combat (ISC): Stage Combat is the illusion of violence for stage or screen. Understanding the techniques of safe and effective performance combat is the primary goal. The student will build a solid foundation of footwork, attacks, and defenses, and explore movement and partnering techniques for stage combat.

West African Drumming, Dance and Song
This course is a non-stop, energetic exploration of the dynamic music, dance, song, and culture of West Africa. All students experience first-hand a non-Western way of musical expression in preparation for outdoor concerts. This is a must for serious music, dance, and vocal students, as well as beginners from all arts areas. You will never be the same again, because the music never stops!