While the Orchesis Dance Company is an ASI club, it is primarily an academic organization with the majority of its funding through IRA (Instructionally Related Activities). The company is housed under the authority of the Theatre and Dance Department, in the College of Liberal Arts, and is directed by faculty member Diana Stanton and an assistant. Student officers are elected by the company each spring for service during the following year. Officers help the director select the company during auditions and assist in various aspects of concert preparation and club activities.
Members of the company are required to enroll in Danc 345, (4 units fall quarter) and Danc 346 (4 units winter quarter). Tuesday and Thursday class activities include faculty and guest artist technique classes (generally ballet, jazz or modern) followed by production related activities. Class begins at 6:10 and may last anywhere from 9 PM to 10 PM, or even later during production weeks. Labs include field trips, rehearsals, run-throughs and miscellaneous educational and concert preparation activities. Rehearsal labs are scheduled during weeknights and weekends. Students choose to perform in dances depending on the compatibility of their work and school schedules with the dance's scheduled rehearsal times.
