For Erica Kaufman's modern dance improvisation class, imagination and freedom are the only prerequisites.

Dance Improvisation, also known as Exercise and Sport Activity 91, is entwined in Kaufman's philosophy, which has students exploring their creativity while gaining confidence through spontaneous movement.

"You go through the system to learn how to follow. But you can't lose sight of (creativity)," Kaufman said. "It's a balance I'm offering -- this with the other programs."

Being a trained dancer is not necessary to take the course.

"We don't do any real dance steps," said Joi Opfer (sophomore-photography).

The lack of formality gives the class another creative element, allowing students to create new movement in an unrestricted manner. But the interaction was blocked at first because the dancers were uncomfortable working together.

"You're not used to touching people," said Jennifer Rinebus (sophomore-integrated arts). "At first, we didn't want to touch each other, but we had to get used to it," she added, smiling.

People in class have become closer and less embarrassed since the class started, Opfer said.

Now, dancing together, no one looks afraid. Everybody wants to create and move with everyone else. The dance is ever-changing, as is its structure, sometimes entropic, sometimes ordered. Rhythms are even created with pounding hands and feet.

"It's really liberating. It gives body and mind a break from the stress of classes," said Gwyn Schobert (junior-English).

To help the students feel comfortable interacting with one another, Kaufman has the students do exercises, work in small groups and dance as an entire group.

"You should not be on balance. You should hang on each other --if the person leaves, you fall," Kaufman told the class during one exercise.

But she doesn't just observe her students. Whether they are crawling across the floor for an exercise or creating an improv, she also dances, moving her body to join their art.

"You've come a long way in this class," Kaufman told her students. "You're communicating more physically and less verbally."

This element of their spontaneous movement especially interested Dan Goulden as a theater major.

"The movement in here helps me make more defined movements onstage," said Goulden (junior-theater).

The stimulation from the class gives the students tools they can take with them into daily life.

"By standing up and taking a different view, it stimulates your motivation, and that's what I try to do," Kaufman said.

"It's a re-awaken/cold water stimulate," she added.

The class gives students confidence to be up in front of people, she said.

"As long as they go into a decision whole-hearted, it's right. If they hesitate, it becomes wrong," she said.

Although this course existed prior to this semester, the instructor adds an integral element to the course.

"Without her, it would be very hard for us to be outgoing," Goulden said.

Kaufman brings much experience to the course. She earned a bachelor's degree from University of the Arts and a master's from Temple University, schools both located in Philadelphia.

She has given master classes and taken residencies at universities around the state and at a school in Germany. Most recently, she danced and taught with Pittsburgh's resident professional modern dance company, Dance Alloy, which is housed in Carnegie Institute.

When her husband got a job at nearby Juniata College, Kaufman came to State College, "not knowing what kind of dance was in central Pennsylvania," she said.

Currently an instructor, Kaufman would like to continue to teach at the University.

"I would like to stay if there was a position to fill my needs," she said.