Photo Box D by Andy and Dionne Noble; Photo by Lynn Lane
Auditions - BFA in Dance
Upcoming audition dates for the BFA program are:
Friday, November 8, 2024 from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Friday, February 28, 2025 from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Friday, April 11, 2025 from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Undergraduate admission to the BFA in Dance is by audition only. There is no fee for the audition. Additionally, to be accepted into the Department of Dance candidates also have to apply for admission to the university by completing an online application. Visit SHSU Admissions to fill out your application. The combined results of the audition and application will determine final admission to the BFA in Dance program.
Students receive notice of their acceptance/rejection within two-three weeks following the audition they attend. Candidates are highly recommended to start their application to Sam Houston State University before auditioning. Applicants who are accepted to the University prior to November 1st can apply for campus-wide scholarships through Scholarship4Kats. You do not have to be accepted into the dance department prior to applying for Scholarship4Kats. Please see more information regarding scholarships below. Prospective students may audition for admission to the BFA program a maximum of 3 times.
We encourage all applicants interested in auditioning for the program to register online at least one week prior to the audition date. However, walk-ins are welcome. Please arrive 20-30 minutes early for on campus auditions to allow time for parking and check in.
Auditions are held on campus at SHSU in the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center, 815 17th Street, Huntsville, TX 77340. Dance Studios where audition will be held are upstairs. Stop by the Department of Dance office in PAC 150 for questions.
Please allow three to four hours for the audition. BFA candidates do not need to prepare a solo. During the audition, the dance faculty lead dancers through an improvisation based warmup, and then teach ballet, jazz, and modern movement phrases in a classroom setting. The dancers are then provided an opportunity to perform the phrases for an adjudication panel in small groups. Dancers are asked to form fitting attire and be prepared to dance barefoot. Ballet and Jazz shoes can be worn to perform those audition phrases.
Students leaving the department for one semester or longer must petition for readmission and may be required to re-audition.
Auditions for the BFA program are often scheduled in coordination with a dance performance. In this case, students auditioning for the program will be offered a complimentary ticket to attend the dance performance that evening. Additional tickets can be purchased Here.
Auditioning via Video
Some students may not be able to make a scheduled audition. In this case, consider submitting an audition video in lieu of the live audition. The Department of Dance accepts video auditions anytime.
Options include:
- selection of barre and center exercises from a classical ballet class
- center exercise/combination from an alternate dance form (jazz, contemporary, modern, hip-hop)
- solo choreographed by the student or other choreographer (performed in the studio, live performance, or other)
If you choose to audition via video, please send a link of your audition video, well labeled with the dancer's name, physical address, and email address, to Associate Chair, Andy Noble at AMN008@SHSU.EDU.
Also, please fill out this companion Audition Form so that we may capture the pertinent information to accompany your video audition.
(Vimeo or Youtube are most popular video sharing websites used. You may password protect this link and send a password along with the link to Mr. Noble to avoid public access to your video materials if you wish.)
We will review your materials and inform you of your audition status within a week. If you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact Andy Noble at amn008@shsu.edu.
Scholarships - BFA in Dance
Once you have been accepted to the University you will have access to submit a scholarship application through Scholarships4Kats, SHSU's streamlined application program. All participants auditioning for a BFA in Dance will be considered for scholarships. However, auditions completed earlier in the academic year will have a stronger opportunity in securing any potential awards. All students awarded a departmental scholarship will need to submit a general Scholarships4Kats application. You do not need to have your Scholarships4Kats application submitted by your audition date, though it is recommended. However, to be considered for University wide scholarships, students should aim to complete their Scholarships4Kats application by the priority deadline of November 1.
Ideal Timeline for New BFA Applicants
| Apply for University |
Prior to November 1st |
| Once accepted, Apply for Scholarship4Kats |
By November 1st |
| Register for Dance Audition |
At least two weeks prior to desired audition |
| Notification of Dance Department Acceptance |
Within two-three weeks following audition |
| Notification of Dance Scholarship |
Two-three weeks following the February audition |
If you have questions, contact the Department of Dance at:
Phone 936-294-1875 and Email shsudance@shsu.edu
Audition - MFA in Dance
2024-2025 audition date for the MFA program is:
Friday, November 15, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Friday, February 7, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
MFA auditions will be held on campus at SHSU in the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center, 815 17th Street, Huntsville, TX 77340.
We encourage all applicants interested in auditioning for the program to register online at least one week prior to the audition date. Applicants may audition even if all application materials have not been submitted, but it is encouraged that the applicant bring to the audition or submit as many of the application materials as possible prior to auditioning.
On the day of the MFA audition, applicants will take a technique class along side current dance majors. They will also complete a writing sample inspired by a prompt provided at the audition, interview with the dance faculty and show a 3-5 minute choreographic solo. Dancers should wear attire that shows the line of the body with no baggy outer wear.
If an audition is scheduled in coordination with a dance performance, a complimentary ticket will be provided for the auditionee. Additional tickets can be purchased Here!
Admission - MFA in Dance
The application process for the MFA program is two-fold. Candidates must audition for acceptance into the Department of Dance MFA program by attending an on-site audition or long distance audition process and apply for acceptance to the University through the Office of Graduate Admission.
To apply to the MFA in Dance degree program, submit the following application materials:
- Online Application with the Application Fee
- Transcripts of all Previous College Work
- Confirmation of Degree Conferral
Once your Online Application is submitted, you may upload the following supplemental materials online at the SHSU Self Service Center.)
- Resume/Curriculum Vita
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Letter of Inquiry
- Video Portfolio of Performance and Choreography (Do not upload this to the Self Service portal. Please instead send links to Dionne Noble at dln008@shsu.edu)
In addition, applicants must also attend an onsite audition that will include:
- Submission of a Writing Sample (inspired by a prompt provided at the audition)
- Interview with Dance Faculty
- Technique Audition in Ballet and Modern Dance
- Presentation of a solo performance of a choreographic work composed by the applicant
Admission is based upon an aggregated evaluation of all application/audition components.
If you have questions, contact the MFA in Dance Graduate Advisor Dionne Noble at: 936-24-1588 or dln008@shsu.edu
Allegretto for Allegra: Designing Fibonacci by Jennifer Pontius; Photo by Lynn Lane
Department of Dance
815 17th Street, Suite 150, Huntsville, TX 77340
Phone: (936) 294-3342 or (936) 294-1875 | E-mail: shsudance@shsu.edu