Admissions
At the undergraduate level, admission is a two-part process. In order for a student to be considered for admission as a Dance major, he or she must apply to the University and also complete an audition. These auditions are held both on campus and at regional locations across the country and provide Dance faculty the opportunity to evaluate your skill and potential for success in the program.
For a complete list of audition dates and information on how to request an audition appointment, please scroll to the bottom of the page.
How to Prepare
All candidates should prepare a dance piece in ballet, modern, or jazz technique not to exceed 90 seconds. Female candidates should wear a solid color leotard and pink tights; male candidates should wear a white T-shirt and black tights. ALL candidates should bring both ballet slippers (pointe shoes are required only if they are needed for your solo) and jazz shoes. Bare feet will be required for the modern portion of the audition. Candidates should also bring a recent photograph, resume, and music for their prepared solos. (Note: Regional audition applicants should bring their own audio player.)
The Audition
Dallas auditions: The Dallas auditions take place on Saturday mornings and typically last from 9 AM to 4 PM. The audition begins with a class consisting of barre work and center combinations in ballet. The audition class continues with combinations in modern and jazz dance. After the conclusion of the class portion, a select group of candidates will be identified to showcase a prepared 90-second solo. These candidates will also have a brief interview on location with the auditioning faculty. Dallas audition candidates are invited to visit the Division of Dance for class observations and campus tours every Friday preceding a Dallas audition.
Regional auditions: Regional auditions take place at various studios and high schools across the U.S. and typically last for 2 hours. Dance faculty will offer a class in their area of expertise and may not include combinations in all techniques. After the class portion of the audition, all candidates will showcase their prepared 90-second solo. In addition to this solo, regional audition candidates are welcome to prepare combinations in ballet, modern, and jazz dance if they wish to showcase their proficiency in techniques not included in the class portion of their audition. Regional auditions will be recorded.
November 19, 2011
January 21, 2012
March 3, 2012
2011-2012 Regional Audition Registration
Select a city from the list below to begin your registration.
| New Orleans, LA |
NOCCA (NOCCA students only) |
September 23, 2011 |
| Denver, CO |
Denver School of the Arts (DSA students only) |
October 3, 2011 |
| Birmingham, AL |
Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA students only) |
October 14, 2011 |
| Phoenix, AZ |
ASA/Metropolitan Arts Institute (ASA & Metro students only) |
October 18, 2011 |
| Phoenix, AZ |
New School for the Arts and Academics (NSAA students only) |
October 20, 2011 |
Scottsdale, AZ
|
Scottsdale Community College (Transfer students only)
|
October 21, 2011
|
| Atlanta, GA |
Dekalb School of the Arts (DSA students only) |
October 28, 2011 |
| Atlanta, GA |
Atlanta Ballet |
October 29, 2011 |
| San Francisco, CA |
Oakland School for the Arts (OSA students only) |
November 14, 2011 |
| Houston, TX |
HSPVA |
December 2, 2011 |
| West Palm Beach, FL |
A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts (Dreyfoos students only) |
December 9, 2011 |
| West Palm Beach, FL |
A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts |
December 10, 2011 |
2011-2012 Recorded Audition Submission
While the Division of Dance strongly encourages candidates to complete a live audition, we understand that it may not always be possible to attend a live audition. Please carefully review our instructions for your submission before recording and submitting your audition. All recordings must be received before March 1, 2012.
It is not always possible for our faculty to render an admissions decision from a recording and you may be requested to visit campus for subsequent activities, such as an interview with our faculty.
Instructions for Audition Recordings
Recorded auditions are submitted through our online portal. Candidates are invited to upload a photo and resume with their recorded audition. Please do not submit recordings from past performances or deviate from the following instructions.
Your submission should capture the following:
Personal introduction (1 minute or less)
Short ballet barre: Include plié, dégagé, rond de jambe, and grand battement (5 minutes or less)
Pirouette and petit allegro combination (1 minute or less)
Brief combination either choreographed or improvised Ballet, Modern, or Jazz (30-60 seconds)
Solo in your technique of choice: Ballet en pointe, Modern, or Jazz (90 seconds or less)
Questions?
Dallas Auditions Contact:
Heather Guthrie, Division of Dance
214.768.2718
hguthrie@mail.smu.edu
Reservations are required.
Regional and Recorded Auditions Contact:
Marlonda Malcolm, Assistant Director of Recruitment
214.768.2079
mmalcolm@smu.edu
Reservations are required.
Note: Dates are subject to change. Please be sure to check back for the most current information.