On-Campus Auditions for Dance and Theatre

Dance and Theatre In-Person Audition Overview

Admission to the Dance or Theatre program is based on the review of the applicant's academic credentials through the Office of Admissions, as well as a required audition.

Dean College performing arts audition days are designed to give applicants the opportunity to be evaluated in a comprehensive manner, while also getting more familiar with the Dean campus, as well as some of our faculty, and to obtain more information regarding degree tracks, student life, and more.

Students applying to degree programs in Dance or Theatre are required* to complete an audition so that the applicant's ability to succeed within the demanding performance curriculum may be assessed. Prospective students must complete their admission application before participating in an audition. Click here to submit your admission application!

*Students applying to the Production and Design-BA program must submit a portfolio. Students applying to the Theatre Studies-BA program must provide a writing supplement outlining their theatre background. These may be submitted in lieu of an audition. Instructions for these can be found on the student's Dean College Application Portal. Please contact Joe Zumbo for more information.

Prepare for Auditions

Auditions are an essential part of the admissions process for the Dance and Theatre programs at Dean College. While the experience is professional, we want you to feel comfortable in order to be your best.

Be on Time

Audition check-in begins 45 minutes before your scheduled audition time in the Dr. Paula M. Rooney Student Center. Please be sure to be on time. Auditions begin promptly at 9:00 AM. Directions to the College can be found here.

Get Yourself Organized

Below is an additional list of materials needed for the audition. If you did not submit these items to the Office of Admissions, be sure to bring them to your audition.

Items to Prepare

• Complete the Performing Arts Supplement, found in the Application Portal prior to the audition. This must be completed 48 hours prior to your audition. 
• A headshot
• A performance resume outlining your training and performance opportunities within the last 4 years. Please keep this to one page.
• Dancers only- please provide an additional full-body dance photo in a pose of your choosing. 

Dance Audition Requirements

Students auditioning for the BFA and BA in Dance can expect a masterclass-style audition in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Tap. No solos or costumes are required. The tap portion of this audition is optional. Students who do not wish to participate in that section will observe. There will be no pointe as a part of the audition

Theatre Audition Requirements

• Acting-BFA students should prepare two contrasting monologues that are no more than one minute in length. Consider the combinations of classic/contemporary or comic/dramatic.
• Musical Theatre-BFA students should prepare one monologue of no more than one minute in length and two 32-bar cuts of songs from the musical theatre repertoire demonstrating vocal range. Applicants must provide their own sheet music. Students auditioning for the Musical Theatre-BFA will also participate in a movement class to demonstrate their proficiency in dance technique, performance, and/or improvisation.
• Performance-BA students should prepare two monologues of no more than one minute in length. Consider the combinations of classic/contemporary or comic/dramatic. Students auditioning for this program also need to prepare two 32-bar cuts of songs from the musical theatre repertoire demonstrating vocal range. Applicants must provide their own sheet music. Students auditioning for the Performance-BA will also participate in a movement class to demonstrate their proficiency in dance technique, performance, and/or improvisation.
• Students applying to the Production and Design-BA program must submit a portfolio. Students applying to the Theatre Studies-BA program must provide a writing supplement outlining their theatre background. These may be submitted in place of an audition. Please contact Joe Zumbo for additional information.

What to Wear

Candidates for Theatre

Musical Theatre-BFA and Performance- BA candidates will participate in a movement call at the end of the acting and vocal sections of the audition. Please bring a change of clothes for this section that will allow you to move comfortably. See the dress code for technique courses below for recommendations. The movement call will be in the style of Musical Theatre Jazz.  All other Theatre candidates should wear professional, yet comfortable clothing to present their monologues and/or musical selections—no costumes. 

Candidates for Dance

Along with the items listed above, students auditioning for the Dance-BFA and Dance-BA will need to come with all dance attire needed for each section of the audition. Please refer to our dress code for technique courses as a reference for what to bring with you on the day of your audition. Below are a few other tips:

• Hair should be worn up and secured, away from the face, preferably in a bun with pair pins and a hair net. If your hair is short, it still needs to be pulled/styled back and/or securely pinned away from the face. 
• Dance attire must be neat and clean
• Only low-profile jewelry is allowed (i.e. stud earrings, flat/slim rings, etc.)
• Please make sure to bring all shoes needed (ballet, jazz, and tap (optional))