You must audition to be admitted to our department. Auditions are held three times a year on campus. This year auditions will take place:
- Friday, August 30, 2024: 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
- Saturday, November 23, 2024: 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
- Saturday, February, 8, 2025: 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
You may also audition via video submission. More information about video auditions is available below.
We may have a representative auditioning students at offsite events. Information about these opportunities will be made available late August 2024.
EVERY applicant is required to fill out an Application to Audition either by February 1, August 15, or November 1.
Remote Audition
Submit audition video components (3 required videos, 1 optional video)
If you are submitting video components, they must be submitted with the online application. All videos should be in one of the following video formats: . MOV, MPEG4, MP4, AVI or WMV. This application will require a link for each video component. You may use YouTube, Vimeo or you may provide links through DropBox, Box, or GSuite.
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
Video 1 (required)
Choose EITHER a solo performance 1-3 minutes in length OR participation in a Ballet, Contemporary, Modern or Hip-Hop technique class, 3-5 minutes in length. If you choose a solo for this video, it may be original choreography or from standard repertory. The solo may be recorded at home, in a dance studio, or in another site-specific area, or submit a performance video. If you choose a video of time in a class, please choose multiple samples from one class or select more than one technique class if available.
Video 2 (required)
A creative, improvised, self-choreographed solo, using the provided audio file, that demonstrates your potential to be the kind of explorer who would thrive in our department in the study of dance and movement.
This department was founded upon the values of the human experience, the pursuit of knowledge, and creative expression. To be a dance artist requires discipline, passion, resilience, courage, adaptability, and openness, as well as many other skills.
We are providing a short piece of music composed by our resident music director and we’d like you to utilize this opportunity to make and perform a dance that connects with the UW–Madison Dance Department’s goals with who you are and what you care about.
Your solo must be movement-based and must use this audio file. You are not limited to one style of movement — mix it up; even better, your movements can be made up and not have names.
Video 3 (required)
Oral question and answer. Record yourself answering the following questions.
- Why do you want to study dance in college?
- Why are you interested in attending the University of Wisconsin–Madison?
- How can dance promote social justice and change?
Video 4 (optional)
If you would like to share a genre of dance that uniquely represents your individuality and showcases your strength as a dancer, you may include a video of 1-2 minutes. This is optional and not a required component of the audition.