University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance

Auditions and Interviews

Undergraduate Audition Schedule and Application Deadline Dates

Graduate Audition Schedule and Application Deadline Dates

Undergraduate - BFA Dance

BFA Audition Requirements, Video NEW (updated July 2012)

All Dance applicants must upload a set of five video recordings as outlined below, in addition to submitting a U-M application. To be considered for either the November or December in-person audition, these materials must be submitted by October 1. The submission deadline for consideration for January or February in-person auditions is December 10.

Because of the volume of Dance auditions in a season, candidates should apply early in the fall of the senior year. Audition dates fill quickly and applicants who wait until late November to apply may find their options quite limited. If a student is invited to audition, an audition/interview fee of $35.00 in addition to the application fee will be assessed and is payable upon receipt of a confirmed audition/interview date. Do not make travel reservations until you receive an email confirming a specific audition date, as we cannot guarantee any date in advance of confirmation.

The Department of Dance is committed to recruiting a diverse group of individuals. Some applicants may be more balletically or modern-trained than others or may have improvisational and/or choreographic strengths. Through the parameters of the instructional video, we encourage you to showcase yourself in your area of expertise.

If your completed Common Application with the U-M Supplement and video audition recordings are submitted and uploaded by October 1, you will receive an in-person audition decision by November 15. (Earlier notices will be sent for those invited for the November 16 audition.) Later video submissions, through December 10*, will receive a decision by January 9.

Performance Requirements, Video

To advance to an in-person audition, submit five short videos following these specifications and as demonstrated in the instructional video.

Introduction (upload one 15-30 second video)

Clearly state your full name, hometown, the title of your solo, the music title and artist, and who recommended you to our program, if anyone.

Exercise 1: Ballet (upload video - 1 minute maximum)

Choose ONE of the ballet combinations (traveling tendu with pirouette, adagio, or petit and grand allegro) as demonstrated in the video. Show ONE side only.

Exercise 2: Modern (upload video - 1 minute maximum)

Choose ONE of the traveling combinations as demonstrated in the video. Show ONE side only.

Exercise 3: choice (upload video - 1 minute maximum)

Choose EITHER one additional ballet OR one modern combination of your choice.

Solo (upload one 1 minute video)

Perform a contemporary solo; do NOT perform a ballet or pointe work solo

Written Requirements

Résumé With your videos, upload a copy of your one page résumé, which includes training and experience you have had in dance, music or theatre.
Photograph Upload a recent photograph of yourself, headshot preferred.

Video Preparation Suggestions

Wear appropriate dance attire that will show clean lines: leotard and tights or unitard (for both male/female applicants)
Your entire body should be in view at all times. Refrain from close-ups.
Music may be live, recorded, or exercises may be executed in silence.
You must be barefoot for your solo; you may wear ballet slippers or socks for the ballet portion of your video

The faculty understands that making an audition video adds an extra challenge to the application process. Please know that you will not be evaluated on the quality of the video recording itself. The goal is simple, clean articulation of your movement so that your work can be seen and evaluated by the faculty.

Your total video time should be no more than four minutes.
When uploading video recordings, separate, labeled tracks are preferred and will upload faster.
Do not submit a multi-camera, highly technical studio video.
Each exercise should be performed without editing of any kind. Applicants with edited video will be disqualified.

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BFA Audition Requirements, In-Person (updated July 2012)

All in-person auditions are in Ann Arbor.

All Dance applicants must submit the set of five video recordings described above. Following review of these and all other application materials, successful candidates will be invited to attend an in-person audition/interview in Ann Arbor. The on-site audition will include the following requirements:

Prepare a two-minute solo in a contemporary dance idiom. The solo should be appropriately titled and the accompaniment clearly acknowledged. Please avoid classical repertory and pointe work.
Participate in ballet and modern technique classes as well as an improvisation session.

Each audition day begins with an introduction to the Department and a tour of our facility. Parents are encouraged to attend these sessions but may not observe the audition.

General undergraduate audition and interview information

Graduate - MFA Dance

Applicants must normally have completed an undergraduate degree as a dance major with a minimum GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale from an accredited institution. Applicants with degrees in other disciplines will occasionally be considered for admission, provided there is accompanying evidence of professional dance achievement.

Admission to the MFA program must begin with an application to the Rackham School of Graduate Studies.

The deadline to receive your application is January 3, 2013. Admission is by audition and interview, and careful screening of the admission requirements below. Applications are considered for the Fall Term only; we do not consider students mid-year.

A two-day on-site audition and interview are required for admission to the graduate program. (Uploaded recorded auditions may be accepted from applicants who live outside the continental United States. Such applicants may also qualify for funding to bring them to Ann Arbor. Please contact Administrative Coordinator, Samantha Strayer sstrayer@umich.edu). Detailed information concerning the audition process will be sent to you after your application has been received and approved.

The following materials will be requested on the Rackham application:

Writing Sample 1: a 1–2 page ‘Statement of Purpose’ outlining your philosophy about dance, your personal and professional goals, and why you have chosen to further your dance studies at the University of Michigan.

Writing Sample 2: a 5–10 page sample of previously completed research. This sample does not have to be dance-related but it should be written in an academic register and conform to scholarly writing practices in terms of format, in-text and bibliographic reference, etc.

Comprehensive Résumé/CV

Three letters of recommendation from knowledgeable professionals in the field. Forms are provided in the application.

Official transcripts from all undergraduate and, if any, graduate institutions attended

International applicants whose native language is not English must submit a score from an English proficiency examination before an audition/interview can be scheduled.

The following materials must be uploaded using the link below: