Student Resources

Department Covid Guidelines & Studio & Space Information

Last revised: 5 Feb 2021

Here is a draft of the Department's Covid guidelines for Spring 2021. Some information in this document is tentative. It will be updated here as it is revised.

Download PDF

This document includes:

• Studio Guidelines, including mask wearing, social distancing, best dance practice, and safe rehearsal practices.
• Covid-19 occupancy limits on all rehearsal spaces
• Information about access to campus buildings
• Entrance and exit guidance for all spaces to maintain social distancing during class transitions
• Prodecures for reserving studio space for classwork and rehearsals
• Guidelines for borrowing props and costumes

Signing Out Studio Space

Theatre & Dance studio spaces will be available to sign out through IMLeagues, likely beginning the week of Feb. 14, although this date may change.

Spaces will “open” for registration each SUNDAY at 5 pm (ET) for the following week — Monday through Friday. The first week's registration period will start THIS Sunday, Feb. 14.

The only studios that will be open for sign outs will be:

• Center for the Arts: Rm. 226 (theatre) — capacity of 4 (if there will be lots of moving) or 6 (if not). (Please note that this space is not being used for dance this semester!)
• Trexler Pavilion:
  • Upper Level Studio (dance) — capacity of 8
  • First Floor Rehearsal Hall (theatre) — capacity of 8
  • Dance Studio Theatre (dance) — capacity of 14
• Brown Dance Studio (dance) — capacity of 14
• Rehearsal House 201 (theatre) — capacity of 9

Students currently enrolled in Theatre or Dance classes and approved production rehearsals will be able to sign up to use these spaces Monday through Friday, 5 pm – 10 pm.

Studio space is to be used for coursework and approved rehearsal only. No student clubs or organizations will be allowed to sign out space for club activities.

Everyone must be out of the buildings by 10 pm.

You MUST follow all social distancing rules and capacity limits. Be aware that these rules are different for dance and other physically strenuous activities.

Studio Space for Coursework

Students in a Theatre course may only sign out up to two hours of Theatre studio space per class project per week, regardless of what other spaces you may be using to rehearse in. Example: If you and your partner are working on a scene for one class, the SCENE gets two hours per week, not the individuals. So you may have 2 hours per week to reserve for that scene, regardless of how many people are involved. Students in theatre courses should only sign out theatre studios — NOT dance studios.

Students in a Dance course may only sign out up to two hours of Dance studio space per week total, regardless of different spaces you may be using to rehearse in. See above: the specific project gets up to two hours per week, not the individuals, regardless of how many people are involved.

ONE designated person for your rehearsal group should reserve the space! You do not all need to reserve space. (But we'll say again that each GROUP is entitled to only two hours of studio space per week!)

Student clubs and organizations will not be able to sign out studio space for meetings or rehearsals.

To access IMLeagues:

Simply go to the application portal or iMuhlenberg app and click on the IMLeagues Reservations link.

If you have not registered previously, you will need to complete a short registration page.

Once complete, you will then enter the IMLeagues website to make reservations for the Life Sports Center or Spring Academic Classroom Space. Use the down arrow in the upper left corner to selection "Muhlenberg College Spring Academic Classroom Space."

For additional directions to book academic classroom space, please click here.

Studio space for production rehearsals

Choreographers, directors, and stage managers of productions will have the ability to reserve studio space in advance of the spaces being released to the campus community. To reserve space for a production rehearsal, ONE designated representative of the production should email boxoffice@muhlenberg.edu no later than the FRIDAY morning prior to the week of the requested rehearsal.

Black Feminist Art & Action

Wednesday, March 3
7 – 8:30 pm (ET)
Register by 3 pm (ET) on March 3

Register Now

View Poster PDF

Dance Technique Course Audit Policy (as of Spring 2021)

Last revised: Aug. 2020

The complete Dance Technique Attendance Policy During Covid-19 document is available here

• All audits are processed during the first week of the semester. Please do not submit requests until the start of the semester.
  • Submit the following forms to the Dance Program Director (Jeffrey Peterson):
        - An official audit form from the registrar with a filled out top portion
        - The completed audit application (see Dance Major/Minor Canvas Page)
  • Please make sure that you email the two forms as attachments in one email to Jeffrey no later than Friday at 4 pm, the first week of classes.
• Audits are available only to declared Dance Majors and Minors
• Student must have successfully taken the course for credit in a previous semester
• Student should be taking another technique class for credit, and the audit class should represent a course load beyond 4 credits.
• Student must attend class regularly and participate fully in all studio work including performance day projects.
• The attendance policy applies to auditing students. Should an auditing student exceed FOUR CLASSES absent in a course, the student will not receive credit for the audit, and future auditing privileges will be revoked.
• Faculty teaching the course will determine written requirements and additional parameters around what an audit will mean in their course. These parameters may involve additional specifics related to online delivery, as determined by the faculty. Please communicate with your instructor for additional details.
• No audits can represent enrollment beyond a course’s capacity.
• Student may only audit one dance course per semester.
• You will receive an email from Jeffrey when your forms are approved. It is then your responsibility to forward the signed forms to the registrar before the Add period has closed in order for the course audit to become official.
• Students who have in any way abused their audit privileges the previous semester will not be approved to audit.

Students who are not dance majors or minors may opt to take a dance course pass/fail. Please see Muhlenberg College Catalog section on Academic Policies for information regarding this option.The teacher of the course can sign this form.

Dance Costume Loan Requests

Dance costume stock is available for use in Dance Program and MDA performances.

Here is the Dance Stock Catalog, as of January 2021.

To request loan of Theatre & Dance costumes, please fill out this Request Form.

Dance Program Practices & Policies during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Dance Program believes in the moving body as a source of inspiration, wellbeing, and support. In the wake of the pandemic and the parameters that will be placed upon your experience as movers at this time, the Dance Program would like to take this moment to communicate a commitment to supporting your dancing self.

We must continue to do our best to not compare our experiences to how it could be under different circumstances, or to the experiences occurring in other classes. Each instructor is taking special care to process their course goals and their unique registration numbers, space constraints, and other personal and professional limitations in order to arrive at the best possible approaches.

Please remember that the mode of delivery of your courses may change throughout the semester. Overall, our individual and collective flexibility in entering this new experience will go a long way toward generating balance in body-mind-spirit as we move together. As always, all Muhlenberg dance technique courses will reveal a commitment to the physical experience of dance training.

All of the planned guidelines below are being shared at this time in order for you to have a clear handle on the fall semester. These are derived of the DanceUSA guidelines, available here: Return to Dancing and Training Considerations Due to-COVID-19 and COVID-19 FAQ for Dancers and Dance Companies Returning to the Studios, combined with Muhlenberg College protocols as currently understood.

As the pandemic continues to evolve, these protocols and guidelines will likely need to evolve as well. And once we have gathered together again in person, they will be continually revised to promote safety. The faculty and staff will be in constant communication with you about any and all changes.

Specific Policies

• Masks: Campus Policy will be that if you are anywhere on campus, a mask is required — indoors or in most spaces outdoors. Considerations for dancers wearing masks:
  • A mask will make it harder to breathe during exercise initially, and dancers should self-monitor for symptoms of: lightheadedness, dizziness, numbness or tingling, and shortness of breath
  • Monitor the intensity of your class/workout as you get used to wearing a mask during exercise.
  • Your body will adapt over a few weeks to wearing a mask.
  • If you start to feel dizzy, imbalanced, or over-fatigued, stop your activity and rest.
  • You may not remove your mask during class. If you do need to remove your mask, dispose of single use masks in the trash or place a reusable mask into its own sealable bag, wash your hands and/or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer, letting it dry for 30 seconds, and then replace it with a clean one.
  • Dancers will likely require multiple masks to get through the day. If your mask becomes saturated with moisture from breathing or sweat, you need to change into a dry mask, because a wet mask is less efficient at filtering bacteria and viruses.
  • You should change your mask following physical activity (likely after each dance or studio class) and must wear a clean, fresh mask every day.
  • All reusable masks should be cleaned, ideally in a washer with hot water and soap and then dried in a dryer prior to next use. Ironing on the highest setting can also disinfect after washing and drying.
  • There are now multiple commercial reusable mask options available for use during dance/exercise.
• Social Distancing
  • No hands-on corrections. No partnering or other activities that require the space between people to be less than 6 feet.
  • Barre:
    • Dancers need to stand at least 6 feet (2 meters) apart.
    • Dance places on the barre will be marked with tape.
    • Dancers will be required to wipe down the barre before and after each use (wipe supplies will be provided).
    • Dynamic exercises with larger movement should be avoided to minimize air turbulence in the room.
  • Center Work:
    • For stationary center work, dancers should be able to maintain 8- to 10-feet distance.
    • Normal breathing should be encouraged over forced breath cues, as forced exhalation spreads larger droplets farther distances.
  • Across the Floor: the usual structure of organizing to go across the floor must be reimagined. Based on the guidelines below, social distancing marks around the entire perimeter will be provided, in order to facilitate these guidelines.
    • Dancers must avoid following right behind each other; it is safer to work next to each other. If dancers travel directly behind each other, they are in the slipstream, where droplets remain suspended. To avoid contact, dancers need to allow even further distance.
    • Dancers will maintain 6 feet distance apart standing side by side in one line and allow each group to complete the combination to the end of the room before the next group starts.
    • Dancers should be reminded to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet when waiting to go across the floor and after completing the combination.
• Shoes:
  • Shoes can be a potential transmitter of disease. Street shoes should be removed prior to entering any studios. Dance shoes should not be worn outside of the studio.
• Cleaning:
  • At a minimum, floors and any other areas touched by anyone will be cleaned before the next class — Jess Bien is spearheading the effort to hire a staff of studio cleaners to ensure that between each in-class meeting, all studios are cleaned thoroughly, including floors, door handles, and barres.
• Music:
  • Sound equipment will be cleaned before and after use.
  • Consider the volume of music. The louder the music, the louder the instructor will have to project, potentially causing droplets to travel further.
• Temperature checking:
  • All dancers will have their temperatures checked once every day via no-touch thermometer on their way into the studio. If temperature is less than 100.4° F, students will receive a stamp on their hand to indicate that they are ok to dance that day. If temperature is greater than 100.4° F, then the individual must go back to their dorm and follow College protocols.

Thank you all for your flexibility and patience, and for taking the time to familiarize yourself with these guidelines.

Dance Attendance Policy During Covid Pandemic
(as of Spring 2021)

Last revised: Aug. 2020

A studio dance course is an experiential, cumulative process -- a physical study -- and it is an expectation that you participate by dancing. Attending a technique class and physically participating is one way to accomplish this aim. And, in the era of Covid-19, the dance program understands that circumstances may demand alternative approaches.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the term “attendance” has new meaning. For purposes of this semester, "attendance” means "participating" in class activities.

Participating means demonstrating a willingness to integrate physical and/or scholarly perspectives, tackling given class work thoroughly and professionally. Participation also indicates adequate time and energy is spent on class work via physically dancing or the equivalent. Exceptional participation means going above and beyond, demonstrating significant commitment to the physical and integrative goals of the course.

If you occasionally find yourself unable to attend a synchronous class meeting (either online or in-person), you must work collaboratively with your instructor to determine alternative methods so you can participate in required class activities. We understand there might be times when you aren’t able to access course materials "in real time" — for example due to difficulty logging into a Zoom call. As long as you are participating according to the standard agreed upon by you and your instructor — and as long as you communicate promptly with your instructor — alternative participation methods (aligned with the above definition) will not affect your grade.

By replacing the term “attendance” with “participation”, the overall Dance Technique Class Attendance Policy remains the same. Further, the Medical withdrawal policy remains in place. See the attached Dance Technique Course Attendance Policy below for more information.

Please review the full Covid Attendance Policy for details, including grading ramifications, and injury and illness protocols.

Lockers in the Box Office Lobby

For the Spring 2021 semester, the lockers in the Trexler Pavilion box office lobby will be available ONLY to students who are taking class in the Dance Studio Theatre.

Please watch this charming instructional video, featuring our own Gianna Neal!

Instructions:

• Choose a locker!
• Remember the location!
• Lift the handle to open the locker.
• Place your items inside the locker and lift the handle to close the door.

TO LOCK:

On the keypad:

• Press the C button
• Choose and enter a 4-digit code. (Choose something you will remember!)
• Press the “key” button

The lock will then engage with a beep, and the indicator light with flash red. Your items are then secured until you choose to unlock the unit.

TO UNLOCK (the same process as locking):

• Press the C button
• Then enter the 4-digit code you chose
• Press the “key” button

The lock will disengage and you can lift the handle and open the unit.

Some things to remember about the lockers:

• The lockers are NOT overnight, indefinite storage. They are for use during classes and rehearsals. Items should not be left overnight or for extended periods of time.
• The staff will open ALL of the lockers following the master classes on Friday afternoons to prevent folks from taking over the lockers indefinitely.
• Staff will periodically AND FREQUENTLY unlock all units and remove all items — especially during breaks.
• Please avoid placing ANY open containers or any particularly smelly items in the lockers.
• Should you spill ANYTHING in a locker, it is your responsibility to clean it up immediately and if you need assistance, please seek assistance at either the box office or the administrative office upstairs.

If you forget your code, you can seek assistance in the Theatre and Dance office between the hours of 9 am AND 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

These videos give you a first-person look at how to get from point A to point B in the world of Theatre & Dance. Thanks to Mia Shmariahu '19 for the video assist!

1. Baker Center for the Arts —> Trexler Pavilion
   
   1. Empie Theatre
   2. Baker Theatre
   3. Studio Theatre (Black Box)
   4. Box Office
2. Trexler Pavilion —> Baker Center for the Arts
   
   1. Box Office
   2. Studio Theatre (Black Box)
   3. Baker Theatre
   4. Empie Theatre
3. Brown Dance Studio
4. CA 226 — The Tap Box (Center for the Arts)
5. Dance Wellness Center & Pilates Studio
6. Hillside House & Rehearsal House
7. Lav Lounge / Lavender Lounge / Green Room
8. Theatre & Dance Offices
9. Scene Shop & Environs
   
   1. Scene Shop
   2. Damon Gelb's Office
   3. Eric Covell's Office
   4. Loading Dock
   5. Dumpster
10. Other Tech Locations in the Center for the Arts
    
    1. the Vault (electrics)
    2. Paul Theisen's Office
    3. Prop Storage
11. Bonus Round! The Baker Closet

Performance & Production Policy
(formerly known as 'The Two-Rule')

MTA members enrolled in any number of studio courses may be involved in only one production of any classification (except for Performance Ensembles) per semester, on or off campus. A member who is not enrolled in a studio course may be involved in up to two productions of any classification per semester, on or off campus. Members may be involved as designers in up to three productions of any classification, on or off campus.