Audition dates for 2017 – 2018
| Audition Date | Time | Deadline for Materials |
| Fri., October 13, 2017 | 10:00 a.m. | Mon., October 2 |
| Fri., November 17, 2017 | 10:00 a.m. | Mon., November 6 |
| Fri., January 26, 2018 | 10:00 a.m. | Mon., January 15 |
| Sat., February 3, 2018 | 10:00 a.m. | Mon., January 22 |
Request an Audition
All applicants are encouraged to participate in TCU’s Early Action Programs. Early Action 1 candidates must participate in either the October of November audition.
Selecting your Audition
In-person auditions are required for all applicants.
The only exceptions we allow are for students from outside the contiguous 48 states. If you meet this criteria, email us at Dance@tcu.edu and we will send you the required format for the media audition.
Before selecting your audition, review the dates with your home studio instructors and choreographers so they are aware you are unavailable on the day prior to and the day of your audition for rehearsals or performances. If you are not flexible with your audition date, we encourage you to submit your materials well in advance of the deadline.
Auditions are scheduled on a first come, first served basis with a maximum capacity of 36 applicants per audition. You can request a specific audition date at any time; however, you will not be confirmed in the audition until all of the required materials are received. If we have not received all the elements of your application by the deadline for audition materials date, your slot in the audition will be released to the wait list.
Do not schedule non-refundable travel arrangements until you receive written confirmation.
Audition Application Checklist
- Complete the online application to audition
- Headshot photo
- Dance photo
- One-minute solo video
- A two-minute introductory video
- Optional: Supplemental materials
Notes:
- If applying for consideration as either a ballet or modern dance major, you must provide items 3 and 4 in both disciplines.
- We do not require professional grade photos or videos.
Dance Photos
- The dance photo for female ballet applicants should be in the 1st arabesque position en pointe.
- Male ballet majors should submit a photo in the tendu á la seconde
- Modern dance applicants may submit a photo of their choosing.
Dance Videos
Videos should be uploaded to YouTube and saved in the unlisted format. This enables us to view the video but does not allow the video to be found in a random search, thereby protecting your privacy. Provide the link where specified on the audition application or you can send the link directly to dance@tcu.edu.
Our preference is solos shot in the studio environment in leotards and tights. If video footage from a live performance is submitted, please ensure that all required authorizations have been acquired. Please keep videos close to the one-minute length.
Ballet applicants should submit a classical variation en pointe. Modern dance solos can be in any of the contemporary forms.
Individuals applying for either the ballet or modern dance major need submit two videos. Please indicate if your submission is original choreography.
Introductory Video
We want to hear from you. Introduce yourself and tell us things about you: What makes you unique? Why TCU? What do you hope to gain and/or experience here and what are your current long-term goals as they relate to dance?
Then choose one: What was the last book you read, movie you saw, or place you visited? Tell us briefly why it was memorable for you.
Optional Materials
While not required, we welcome the following:
- Letters of recommendation from your dance instructors or choreographers
- Additional performing videos
- Samples of your choreography
What is required for admission into the SCCD?
Admission to the SCCD is a two-step process:
- Application and acceptance to TCU
- Audition and acceptance to the SCCD
How much prior training is required for acceptance?
Since you are considering a major in ballet or modern dance at the university level, we expect that you have experienced a level of training that supports technical and artistic skill at a high level. Women auditioning as ballet majors must have strong pointe technique.
What majors do you offer?
We offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts with majors in Ballet, Modern Dance, or Ballet and Modern Dance.
Why would I audition for “either” Ballet or Modern Dance?
Auditioning as “either” a ballet or modern dance major enables our faculty to consider your application for both of these forms. The result may be an offer to join the program in a specific major, you may be offered the opportunity to either choose your major or elect to pursue the double major in Ballet and Modern Dance. You will be required to submit the video and photographic materials for both majors.
Do you allow non-majors to take the dance courses?
The SCCD faculty is committed to a small student-faculty ratio. Enrollment in most of the BFA classes, including ballet and modern dance technique, is limited to dance majors.
We regularly offer a variety of non-major classes each semester. In addition to dance forms such as jazz, hip-hop, ballroom, or international dance forms, we often offer either beginning or intermediate Ballet or Modern Dance technique classes for non-majors. Some of these non-major classes require an audition to ensure sufficient skill and knowledge for the class level.
Do you offer a minor in dance?
We do not offer a minor in dance but encourage dancers wishing to continue training to participate in the courses available for non-majors.
Can I double major or minor in degrees outside of dance?
Many of our BFA majors add a minor to their BFA degree track and several are involved in the Honors College and work toward departmental or university honors. With regard to a double major, the short answer is “it depends.” The BFA is a comprehensive and time intensive professional degree track that also provides a thorough liberal arts education. A second major will require additional degree hours and will most likely require more than 18 hours in some semesters, summer school, an additional semester, or an additional year. Timetables and schedule planning for double majors are impacted by many considerations:
- The field of the second major – some majors, particularly other studio or clinical majors, are not possible to combine with the BFA. (i.e., Art, Nursing).
- Advanced placement credits or testing credits brought from high school
- The student’s ability to manage time and responsibilities consistently
The SCCD advisors and faculty support the pursuit of a double major when it is possible. Students pursuing a double major will have advisors in both majors. Students receiving financial aid or scholarships from dance must list dance as the first major.
Do you accept transfers from other schools?
TCU accepts certain academic transfer credits. Visit the Registrar’s Office for more information.
The SCCD faculty will review any dance transfer credits and determine their potential applicability inside the BFA track. Dance transfer credits may not reduce the time required for the BFA track, and all transfer students should be prepared to complete the entire 4-year BFA track as outlined.
Transfer students must audition.
Are on-site auditions required?
On-site auditions are required for all prospective undergraduate applicants to the SCCD. The only exception made to this policy is for students living outside of the 48 contiguous states. Should you meet this requirement, contact us and we can provide you with the requirements for a media audition.
How many students are in the program, how many students audition, and how many do you accept from each audition?
Our student body varies from year to year based on the number of offers we extend and the number accepted. On average, each class size is approximately 20 students with a total of approximately 65-70 students in the program. The maximum number of students we can accept to the BFA is 26. We offer invitations based on talent and potential rather than filling a specific BFA track.
Auditions are limited to 36 people and, based on prior experience, we will reach this capacity before the audition material deadline.
My schedule is quite full with school and dance activities. How can I ensure I get my first choice of audition date?
You may request your first and second choice of audition date by beginning your application, but you will only be confirmed once ALL required materials are received. The best way to ensure you receive your first choice is to complete the submission of all required audition components. When we receive your materials, we will notify you of your confirmation. Should your first date choice be filled before we receive all of your materials, you will be moved to your second choice if it is still available.
What logistics do I need to know for the auditions, what is the recommended attire?
Upon confirmation of your audition we will send you a comprehensive package of information including maps, a parking pass, hotel suggestions, recommended attire and other details. You will also need to bring the music for your solo(s).
What should I expect at the audition?
Auditions include a ballet and then a modern technique class. All candidates, regardless of major, are required to take both classes. Only those auditioning for the ballet major or either major will take the pointe component of the ballet class. After the classes there will be a brief break, and then each applicant will have an interview and an opportunity to perform the solo(s) submitted with their application.
Candidates will be assigned appointments for their interview/solo portion of their audition. If you are applying for consideration as either a ballet or modern dance major, you will perform both of your solos. Time slots for individual sessions will be scheduled between 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. assigned upon audition confirmation. The audition process will conclude between 2:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. depending on your individual appointment.
May I come and take classes to see if TCU is right for me?
Please! We encourage guests to come and will work with you to make your visit to TCU as productive as possible. Our class schedule will vary due to productions, guest artists and other events. It is necessary to schedule your visit with us well in advance.
If you are interested in visiting us, please contact our office by emailing us dance@tcu.edu to let us know you are coming prior to confirming your TCU visit. If you are attending one of the general TCU sessions offered by the Office of Admission, we will work with them ensuring your experience includes a tour of the SCCD. We would like you to view classes and meet our students and faculty. By contacting us at least 3-4 weeks prior to your expected visit – we can make arrangements for you to take classes with our majors. We extend this privilege to current high school juniors and seniors and, in special circumstances, high school sophomores in their spring semester.
I would like to take classes but cannot get to TCU before my audition. May I take a class the day before my audition?
We frequently receive requests to take classes the day prior to the audition. While we would like to see everyone before their audition, it is not feasible to accommodate all of these requests. We extend a limited number of invitations to take classes the day prior to most auditions. These invitations are based upon many factors such as the student’s distance from TCU, prior opportunities to take classes and pre-audition materials. To increase the odds of being included in this pre-audition program we recommend submitting video materials or examples well in advance of the audition.
What performing opportunities are available to students?
We have two major performances a year with faculty and guest artist choreographers. All students in the SCCD participate in these productions on a crew, in the casts or some combination of both.
Students with special interests have other opportunities to perform or choreograph both on and off the TCU campus. Faculty approval is required for activities outside of the SCCD.
Learn about the other performances available to students.
Do you bring in guest artists?
Throughout each year we bring in a variety of guest artists in both ballet and modern dance. Sometimes these guests will teach master classes while others remain for extended residencies and stage choreography for our major performances and some will do both.
Do you offer summer programs or intensives?
Part of our philosophy is to expand the diversity of our students’ experiences. The SCCD does not offer summer classes but most of our students attend summer intensives, work at summer intensives or study at private studios during the summer. Others take summer sessions toward completion of second majors or minors. TCU’s Summer Study Abroad programs provide the opportunity to travel while obtaining credit for components of the core curriculum.
The TCU SCCD hosts Texas Ballet Theater for its summer intensive during June and July. Students live in the dorms and dance all day in Erma Lowe Hall. Some SCCD faculty members teach during the TBT intensive and SCCD majors serve as counselors enabling them to participate tuition-free in the intensive. Attending the TBT summer intensive is a great way for the serious dancer to determine if TCU is a good fit for college.
Do you offer the opportunity to study abroad?
Absolutely! We have historically worked to integrate international studies into our curriculum. Recently we have formalized a relationship with the University of Roehampton, the UK’s top-rated dance department, for our students to do a semester of study abroad while remaining on-track for graduation with the BFA.
