Fall 2026

Clay responds directly to touch, retains memory and is forced through the dynamic process of firing to fix a point in time. This class will introduce students to a variety of hand-building techniques to construct sculptural and/or utilitarian forms. Students will develop their skills by practicing techniques demonstrated in class. Through making, students’ skills will

Clay responds directly to touch, retains memory and is forced through the dynamic process of firing to fix a point in time. This class will introduce students to a variety of hand-building techniques to construct sculptural and/or utilitarian forms. Students will develop their skills by practicing techniques demonstrated in class. Through making, students’ skills will

This course is a hands-on color laboratory, where students will explore the tactile, material, and physical properties of pigments derived from natural sources. Our investigations will focus primarily on pigments that can be sourced locally in and around Bennington, particularly those accessible during the fall season. We will also work with some historically significant

This course will serve as an immersion in the work of several major American poets of the 1950s and 1960s, noted for their humor, irreverence, disjunctive experimentation, charm, and wildness, and collectively known as the New York School. We will begin by focusing on the original generation of New York School poets: John Ashbery, Frank OHara, Kenneth Koch, James Schuyler,

Coins, cash, credit, capital. A medium of exchange, a store of value, a unit of account, a measure of wealth. Money seems to come in many forms and to serve many functions. This course is a quest to discover what money really is from a diversity of perspectives in economic thought. We will address questions such as: Should money be

The Scriptorium, a “place for writing,” is a class for writers interested in improving their critical essay-writing skills. We will read to write and write to read. Much of our time will be occupied with writing and revising—essai

The Semitic language family has the longest documented legacy of any in the world, spanning nearly 5,000 years.  Its dozens of distinct but connected languages – among them Arabic, Ethiopic, Hebrew and Syriac – have animated metropolises from Babylon to Carthage to Dubai; over centuries, they have voiced revelation to billions of Jews

In this course, we examine five moments of intellectual encounter between "east" and "west" along the storied routes of the Silk Road.  These encounters spanned a millennium, from the fifth century BCE to the fourteenth century.  We will be reading travel narratives written by these adventurers – Herodotus, Xuan Zang, Al-Biruni, Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta,

Whose class is this anyway? Yours! Improv is for everyone. Just like life, it’s all about making it up as we go. In this course, we’ll explore the fundamentals of improvisation through high-energy theater games, pattern and rhythm exercises, and ensemble-building activities. We’ll dive into character, object, and environment work while staying grounded, truthful, and

This course is the second half of a Page to Stage design Process - focusing on “standing the design up” and getting it realised onstage. Having completed the designing process students will begin to work through the fabrication and production

Students propose, plan, discuss, and develop a (research) thesis project. They choose a thinking partner to work alongside to bring into focus the ambitions and concerns

Clarice Lispector, in her genre-defying masterwork Agua Viva—originally titled Beyond Thought— describes her aspiration to become, in writing, “life seen by life.” She writes: “I may not have meaning but I have the same lack of meaning that the pulsing vein [of a leaf] has.” And again, “Far beyond thought[…] is the beating heart. Therefore the

This course references ten years of research led by Jasmine Hearn who traveled throughout the United States to interview a constellation of organizers, community leaders, nurses, care-givers, artists, land stewards, chefs, and educators. Students will be guided in a series embodiment practices that braid interdisciplinary methodologies of rooting, listening, responding,

We will study and perform from the string band traditions of rural America. Nova Scotia, Quebecois, Irish, New England, Scandinavian, African-American dance and ballad traditions. In addition, these will be experienced with listening, practice (weekly group rehearsals outside of class), and performing components. Emphasis on ensemble intuition, playing by ear, and lifetime

This course for translators of all levels—from absolute beginner to seasoned translators with an ongoing practice—offers space, time, guidance and community to work on self-directed translation projects. In other words, the class operates as an atelier. It is comprised of a major workshop component to get feedback on work and to direct revisions and progress; and

In 1976, Bennington inaugurated the Visual and Performing Arts Building, a remarkable facility that embodies the ethos of Bennington’s educational philosophy. Over the past fifty years, VAPA has undergone significant transformation, adapting to new programs and emerging technologies. This studio, led by faculty emeritus Donald

Three remarkably flexible and enduring forms, whose contemporary avatars range from Bill Irwin and Jinkx Monsoon to Dita Von Teese and the Muppets, vaudeville, burlesque and revue represented the three dominant American variety theater traditions of the early through mid-twentieth century. While a vaudeville bill included eclectic acts, ranging from

This course is for students who have prior experience with the instrument. Students are expected to practice daily for a minimum of 30 minutes per day. End of semester performance required.

The course is for intermediate to advanced students. Students are expected to practice daily (minimum of 45 minutes). End-of-semester performance is required.

A World Building Workshop for Visual Storytelling                                 ...Aka the design process

The Voice Performance Intensive is an advanced voice technique course designed for experienced singers looking to elevate their vocal craft and take their performances to the next level. We will explore a diverse range of singing styles, including classical, contemporary, and other genres, enabling students to develop a versatile

What is capitalism? When and where did it begin? This course offers an introduction to key features of capitalism as an economic system and a way of life that has had profound social and political consequences for human societies around the world. It is the primary aim of this course to get a better sense for what capitalism really is,

Even now, or perhaps especially now, the state of our moving and breathing bodies is critical to how we operate in the world. This course is open to students of any discipline who wish to explore the impact and implications of embodiment and its relationship to art, culture, politics and power. 

Lighting design has the powerful ability to shape the experience of an audience. Its practice incorporates elements of artistry and craft, and should interest those working in all aspects of visual and performing arts.  In addition to hands-on work with theatrical lighting equipment in and outside of class, the course will explore

In this experimental class, we will create space for you to pursue work within or near mathematics, statistics, data science, etc. This course is intended for students at a variety of levels of experience with a solid interest in following questions and curiosity to lead to a deeper understanding. You will lead your work, in collaboration and with the support of the class.