Dance Program Admission Information

DANCE AUDITION INFORMATION

SCHEDULED DANCE PROGRAM AUDITION DATES:
 (Still to be set)

AUDITIONS ARE HELD ON SATURDAYS AND WE WILL START AT 10 AM. 
* Please call for a specific appointment:  (540)568-6511.

 James Madison University
School of Theatre and Dance
Bachelor of Arts Degree
Interview/Audition Guidelines
(Dance Program)
updated 4/08

To apply for acceptance into the Bachelor of Arts (Dance Concentration) Program within JMU School of Theatre and Dance you will need to do the following:

1. Apply to JMU online. The website address is: www.jmu.edu. Go to the admissions area for information.
    

2. An audition IS required for admission to the Dance Concentration in the School of Theatre and Dance. Prospective dance students should contact the Dance Program office at 540-568-6511 to reserve an audition slot. Auditions will be held twice a year.
    

3. Dancers should be dressed appropriately for the audition. The ballet class section will use soft shoes, the modern and improvisation section will be in bare feet. The class will be followed by an information session for students and parents. Concluding the audition will be short interviews by Dance Program faculty with each applicant.
    

4. Prospective students will audition/interview after they have applied to JMU. They will be notified of their acceptance or denial to the Dance Concentration after they have been notified of their acceptance to JMU. Dance Concentrators will be encouraged to demonstrate their commitment to this intense course of study by making it their first-major if they plan to double major.
    

5. Students who do not receive acceptance to the Dance Concentration Program but who do receive admissions to JMU can re-audition for the Dance Concentration during their first year during the scheduled prospective student auditions. These students also can contact the Dance Office at the beginning of their Fall freshman semester to see if they can add dance courses to their semester schedule.
    

In addition to the materials you send to the Admissions Office, send the following to the JMU Dance Office:

1. At least two letters of recommendation from references regarding your involvement and commitment to dance.
    

2. A written statement on dance (at least one typed page).
    

3. Your resume and current photo (b/w or color).
    

4. Copy of high school transcript.
    

5. S.A.T. or ACT scores.
    

6. Please include your current mailing address and telephone number.

Please send the information prior to the audition date.

James Madison University
School of Theatre and Dance/ Dance Program
MSC 2304
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
 

 WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE AUDITION

On the day of the audition, please arrive prior to 10:00 a.m. The audition starts promptly at 10:00 a.m.

The audition is held in Godwin Hall (the football stadium is directly behind it). Please come to room 354. We will meet there and welcome you to James Madison University and then start the day's activities. You will receive further information and materials regarding the James Madison Dance Program.

The applicant will participate in a ballet barre warm-up and then take a modern class with the other applicants. A short improvisation section will finish the class. This should take approximately two hours.

You will then have a "cooling down" period of about fifteen minutes. There will be a "continental" breakfast for everyone to take part in during this time.

After this brief repose, you will meet the faculty for a presentation and discussion period. This lasts roughly about an hour.

After this, each applicant will enter into an interview process with one of the faculty for approximately fifteen - twenty minutes. The material requested in the packet will be discussed along with the applicant's interest in coming to JMU and future goals/plans in dance.

After the interview is completed, you are free to leave. The auditions are held during Dance Concert weekends. You and your parents are invited by the Dance Program to attend these evening concerts and we will provide complimentary tickets. Please let us know how many tickets you will need before the audition.


Please call the Dance Office to schedule your audition
(540) 568-6511.