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Monday 8:30am - 4pm Tuesday 8:30am - 4pm Wednesday 8:30am - 4pm Thursday 8:30am - 4pm Friday 8:30am - 4pm

KU's University Dance Company

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KU's University Dance Company

The University Dance Company is a performance arm of the merged Department of Theatre & Dance at the
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09/01/2026

We welcome to KU, Junichi Fukuda, dance professor at Boston University at Berklee! He's in residency with the Department of Theatre & Dance and leading intensive rehearsals with his cast of 10. (Can't stop, won't stop!) Penelope M., his scenic designer for the UDC Concert, stopped by to get a glimpse of rehearsal and is also pictured. Witness his modern/contemporary work, among other inventive pieces in a variety of styles, Nov. 20-22 at Murphy Hall.

Japanese native Junichi Fukuda has an extensive and celebrated career in dance, performing with renowned companies such as Ballet Tech/NY, Smuin Contemporary Ballet, Oakland Ballet, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Buglisi Dance Theatre, and Peridance Contemporary Dance Company. Fukuda has earned numerous prestigious awards and fellowships, with support from institutions such as the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, S&R Foundation, Boston Dance Alliance, Boston Foundation, Boston Cultural Council, American Dance Abroad, New England Foundation for the Arts, and Mass Cultural Council. In 2014, he founded FUKUDANCE, which has since earned international acclaim, performing at MASDANZA in Spain, Mexico City's Festival Internacional de Danza Contemporánea de la Ciudad, Dance St. Louis' The Spring to Dance Festival, DanceNow at Joe's Pub Festival, and Bates Dance Festival. Praised by The Washington Post as "tasteful" and "a work of easeful harmony," Fukuda's choreography reflects his innovative vision and dedication to cultural expression. He holds an MFA in Choreography from Jacksonville University. Fukuda currently serves on the faculty of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and Phillips Exeter Academy and is the 2026 Choreographic Fellow at the University of Kansas.

08/31/2026

Congratulations to dancers cast in the University Dance Company Fall Concert! Enjoy these p*s from our first cast meeting! We can’t wait to see what this group has in store for our Concert, November 20-22 at Murphy Hall's Crafton-Preyer Theatre.

We wish we could offer an opportunity to everyone who auditioned, but cast sizes are limited. If you were not cast, please do not get discouraged. We have auditions for ensemble dancers in The SpongeBob Musical Sept. 11 and 13 (see link in comments). Additionally, UDC Auditions will once again be held at the start of next academic year.

Some students enjoy getting a sense of the Concert through crewing or ushering. If you are interested in that, please leave a comment or ask the front office in Robinson Center, Room 251 or Murphy Hall, Room 317 and we'll connect you to the appropriate person.

08/25/2026

Get ready for Wednesday night, dancers! Sign up via Casting Manager (available at https://dance.ku.edu/auditions) and then show up at 5:30pm to Robinson Center, Room 242 for your chance to dance on the main stage this fall! Expect to audition in groups in a welcoming environment performing sequences from choreographers in improv, hip hop, ballet, and modern/contemporary styles. Choreographers names are available in the link above. The University Dance Company Fall Concert dates are Nov. 20, 21 and 22. Let's go!!!!!!

08/20/2026

Jayhawks, Wednesday, Aug. 26 is your chance to dance on the main stage this November! The University Dance Company is looking for talent to complete its cast for our Fall Concert, featuring ballet, modern contemporary, improv, hip hop, and other dance styles. After warm-ups, each choreographer (or choreography team) will lead auditioners through a sequence of movement phrases or improvisation prompts. All majors welcome to audition! It's an accepting and encouraging space. Sign up in advance via a (free) Casting Manager account accessible from this web page: https://dance.ku.edu/auditions

08/14/2026

Auditions to be in the University Dance Company Fall Concert are fast approaching! Dancers, sign up in advance for auditions Wednesday, August 26 at 5:30pm in Robinson Center, studio 242. We are excited Choreographic Fellow Junichi Fukuda will be here in residency with us and choreographing a contemporary piece. We are also pumped to welcome Ariel Nereson as a guest choreographer whose work in collaboration with KU prof. Jane Barnette and grad student Thomas Jenson will have ecological overlaps. Ashley Brittingham and grad student Christian Boudreaux will both be setting works. Additionally, Maya Tillman-Rayton will be seeking talent for a screendance to be shown at the Concert. UDC Auditions are open to all KU majors. You'll soon be hearing more about all of these talented choreographers, but for now find audition info and sign-up access at the link in our comments.

08/06/2026

Students who major in dance at KU train daily with nationally recognized faculty, receive one-on-one attention in individual advising sessions, and create a senior project with guidance from our professors.

Performance opportunities abound! As an undergraduate-only program, KU Dance offers experience in dancing principal roles from the moment you walk in the door. Students audition and are cast by choreographers each season for performance in the University Dance Company concerts. Students also have opportunities to dance in Senior Showcases and University Theatre musical productions. Check out the link in the comments for more about the 2026-27 season and watch for audition notices coming soon!

07/23/2026

We're sending our best to Maya Tillman-Rayton and Justin Harbaugh who have been working hard (against HVAC forces outside of their control) to stage Once Upon a One More Time, a juke box musical with a twist! Maya is KU Director of Dance and produces UDC Concerts. Justin teaches tap at KU, in addition to being the Director of Performing Arts at Lawrence Arts Center.
They are co-choreographers on this Summer Youth Theatre production, with Justin credited as director and Maya assistant director. Additionally, KU senior Sean Ingram has spent part of his summer teaching LAC Summer Youth Theatre tech classes and is serving as Interim Technical Director. In case you haven't heard, this weekend's performance of Once Upon a One More Time has been moved to Free State High School. We love to see collabs across local arts organizations!

07/09/2026

The University Dance Company performs Nov. 20-22 as part of the five-show KU Theatre & Dance performing arts season! Mark your calendars now for an inventive and awe-inspiring evening of dance! The UDC Fall Concert will feature ballet, modern contemporary, and free, improvised dance styles. Choreographic Fellow Junichi Fukuda, a professor of dance at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, will set a contemporary work on a large ensemble of dancers.

Expect to see many of our dancers cast in The SpongeBob Musical, a spectacle and story of community that offers something for all ages. The season will be complemented by plays, student-led productions, dance showcases, and special events, including a fundraiser variety show. We hope you are as excited as we are!

06/24/2026

An annual tradition in the regional dance education scene, the Lawrence Dance Intensive (LDI) recently brought dozens of young dancers to our studios to train with accomplished faculty and guest artists. The week culminated with performances. LDI is a Lawrence Arts Center (LAC) program that receives support from KU. Shout-out to KU faculty members Maya Tillman-Rayton, Marisa Plasencia, and Ashley Brittingham for their cross-over contribution. Special thanks to Claire Buss, LAC's dance program director and the LDI organizer, who also teaches in the KU dance program. We'll look forward to watching this crop of young talent grow!

06/01/2026

One final tribute to finals (Flamenco III) and to outgoing Visiting Assistant Prof. Marisa Plasencia. ¡Eso!🤩 Great job, dancers!

Marisa, we have enjoyed learning from you and dancing in your pieces. We wish you the best as you move on from KU and hope our paths cross again someday soon!

Address

1301 Sunnyside Avenue, Rm 251
Lawrence, KS
66045

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 4pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4pm
Friday	8:30am - 4pm

Telephone

(785) 864-4264

Website

http://theatredance.ku.edu/

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