Coursework in the history and philosophy of the arts sets the foundation for the performing artist's education. These liberal arts courses help performing artists develop critical and analytical skills, which they will use as they progress through their performing arts education. They also provide a historical context for the performing art these students intend to study, so an acting major would take classes in theater or cinema history, while a voice major would take courses in major opera singers or composers.
Finally, these classes encourage young artists to develop an understanding of how other art forms influence theirs; to do this, they sign up for classes in subjects such as architectural history, drawing or painting. To fulfill this requirement, they may also take classes in another performing art; for example, the dance major may take a music or theater history class.
Dance majors take the bulk of their classes in movement. They'll learn different dance styles by taking coursework in modern dance, jazz, tap or ballet. Dancers may also work on how to perform in large dance companies by signing up for a class in ensemble work. To ensure they stay physically healthy and in good shape, they may find themselves in a class that concentrates on conditioning for dancers. Aside from their movement-oriented classes, degree course requirements could mandate that they take classes that introduce them to the interdisciplinary nature of the performing arts or dance company management.
Students studying music immerse themselves in classes in music theory, in the history of opera and voice and in choral training. To keep up with the digital age, music majors also study sound design or editing. They also compose their own music and learn to play instruments such as piano and guitar. Voice majors can cross over to theater performance by taking classes in musical theater. Coursework also exposes these performing artists to music styles around the world or music company management.
For the actor, all the world is a stage, starting with his acting and theater classes. Actors learn different performance techniques by taking classes that teach them to act in different genres or to perform in front of a camera. These students may also read the complete works of William Shakespeare, learn to analyze plays and take coursework in directing. If they aspire to careers in musical theater, they'll take dance and singing classes also.