Auditions & Special Dates

Saturday, November 22 - Saturday Visit & Auditions/Interviews
Saturday, January 24, 2026 - Immersive Arts Day & Auditions/Interviews
Monday, February 16, 2026 - Auditions/Interviews
Saturday, March 21, 2026 - Immersive Arts Day for Juniors & Auditions/Interviews

We are excited to invite prospective students to audition for our Dance Program. Please register for your audition date (in-person or online), please note your request via the Dance Audition Request Form. It is highly encouraged that all BFA applicants attend an in-person audition.

Audition Requirements

All auditioning dancers should be dressed in dance attire. Solid color form fitted dance wear on top (leotard, tank top or fitted shirt) with black dance tights or leggings - OR - form fitted t-shirt and form fitted black pants. Please bring all appropriate shoes.

Please be sure to have any adapters or dongles needed to connect phone, laptop or iPad to an auxiliary cord for solo presentation music.

Please review the audition requirements carefully:

In-Person BFA Auditions:

• The movement audition will consist of a 60-minute physical assessment including ballet barre, modern movement styles, and a jazz or commercial style travel pattern or combination.
• Following the movement portion each dancer will attend a 15-minute interview which also includes a solo presentation indicated below.
  
  • Additional Dance Performance BFA Requirements: 1-2 minute solo performance in your chosen style of dance.
  • Additional Dance Choreography BFA Requirements: 1-2 minute performance choreographed by you. This could be a recording of a group work, a solo, or a self-performed solo.

In-Person BA Auditions:

• BA applicants will complete an assessment audition which can be completed online or in person.
• The in person audition will consist of a 60-minute physical assessment including ballet barre, modern movement styles, and a jazz or commercial style travel pattern or combination and an interview.

Online Auditions:

All online auditions require an online interview. After the submission of your movement videos, you will be contacted by the dance program coordinator to schedule a day and time for your interview.

Online BFA Performance Requirements:

1. A variety of ballet exercises in center, across the floor, or a ballet combination showcasing abilities in turns, leaps, and/or petite allegro.
2. A variety of modern combinations showcasing traveling through space, jumps, turns, use of torso (not upright), and/or floorwork.
3. A variety of jazz combinations showcasing isolations, turns, jumps, and clarity of movement.
4. Alternative Option - students can submit a fourth solo in any genre, whether it be a cultural dance form, hiphop, tap, or other.
5. All solos must be performed in the style and quality of the genre.

Our program requires demonstration of these specific techniques because our BFA degree students must complete and pass courses in these styles of dance to earn their degree. Students will be placed in appropriate levels upon the start of school. The submission process supports students that might not be trained in all of these styles. We do not consider these technical forms to be the “only” way to train in dance, however, they are pillars of training to shape the body’s abilities and prepare for industry standards.

Online BFA Choreography Requirements:

1. Student must submit three out of four demonstrations (30 seconds-1 minute) featuring:
   1. A variety of ballet exercises in center, across the floor, or a ballet combination showcasing abilities in turns, leaps, and/or petite allegro.
   2. A variety of modern combinations showcasing traveling through space, jumps, turns, use of torso (not upright), and/or floorwork.
   3. A variety of jazz combinations showcasing isolations, turns, jumps, and clarity of movement.
   4. Alternative Option - students can submit a fourth solo in any genre, whether it be a cultural dance form, hiphop, tap, or other.
   5. All solos must be performed in the style and quality of the genre.
2. Students must submit three choreographed pieces. One of these pieces must be performed by the student choreographer as well. The style and genre of these pieces can be up to the student, but must show three separate styles.
   1. Group piece
   2. Solo
   3. Student choice
   4. All pieces must be performed in the style and quality of the genre. We take performance quality and commitment into consideration.

Online BA Requirements/Assessment Audition:

Student must submit three out of four demonstrations (30 seconds-1 minute) featuring:

1. A variety of ballet exercises in center, across the floor, or a ballet combination showcasing abilities in turns, leaps, and/or petite allegro.
2. A variety of modern combinations showcasing traveling through space, jumps, turns, use of torso (not upright), and/or floorwork.
3. A variety of jazz combinations showcasing isolations, turns, jumps, and clarity of movement.
4. Alternative Option - students can submit a fourth solo in any genre, whether it be a cultural dance form, hiphop, tap, or other.
5. All solos must be performed in the style and quality of the genre.

The reason we require demonstration of these specific techniques is because our program offers these types of classes as requirements for completing the BFA degrees. Students will need to be placed in appropriate levels upon the start of school. Consideration will be given to students that might not be trained in these techniques, but show exemplary performance and ability demonstration through the fourth solo submission. We do not consider these technical forms to be the “only” way to train in dance, however, they are pillars of training to shape the body’s abilities and prepare for industry standards.

Please contact TaMara Swank at swank@setonhill.edu if you have any questions about the audition process.