Dance Auditions
Students who apply to Kent State University seeking a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Dance Performance or a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Dance Studies, and are accepted by the university, are automatically accepted as a B.A. in Dance Studies major. Congratulations!
To complete the admission process for the B.A. in Dance Studies degree program, students must schedule an audition for class-level placement.
If you wish to be considered for the B.F.A. Dance Performance degree, you are required to schedule an audition. When the audition has been completed, you will be notified if you have been accepted and class-level recommendations will be made.
An audition is not required for admission to the Dance minor, but Dance minors who wish to be considered for advanced placement must participate in an audition.
How to Audition for Entry to the Dance Program
Fall 2025 Enrollment
Students who wish to enroll in Kent State's dance program for the Fall 2025 semester should register for an in-person audition.
Questions? Please email Terri Siefer at tsiefer@kent.edu.
2024-2025 In-Person Audition Dates for Fall 2025 Enrollment
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Audition registration will open in October, 2024.
How to Apply and Register for an In-Person Dance Audition
The School of Theatre and Dance uses Acceptd for dance audition registration. If you are attending an in-person audition, prospective students are asked to register for an audition no later than 1 week prior to the audition date. The link to access Acceptd is below.
General Acceptd Instructions
- Click on the Acceptd link provided below. The link will take you to the Kent State College of the Arts landing page on Acceptd.
- On the left-hand side of the page under "Start An Application" select School of Theatre and Dance as the program group and select Dance as the program.
- Read through the Guidelines and Click "Apply to Dance."
- Create an Acceptd account as prompted or log in if you already have one.
- Complete the application as instructed.
Please be prepared to provide the following:
- Information on previous dance experience
- Letter of recommendation (see requirements below)
- A photo for identification purposes (see requirements below)
- For those auditioning in person:
- A video introduction no more than 2 minutes in length discussing your previous dance background, your future career goals, and what brought you to Kent State.
- Come to the in-person audition prepared with a 1.5 - 2-minute solo that showcases your talent and ability, and your music on a CD or your phone. If bringing your phone, please also bring any adapter needed for an auxiliary cable.
- Please familiarize yourself with the dance combination videos (Ballet, Modern, and Jazz) as per the links below. We will have some student demonstrators to guide you; however, please make certain that you study them before the audition.
Letter of Recommendation Requirements
A letter of recommendation is required. A letter from a current dance instructor is preferred, however a letter from a previous teacher is permitted. The letter should briefly address the student’s technical and creative abilities, degree of commitment, attendance habits and class attitude.
Photo Requirements
The photo does NOT need to be a professional photo or a "dance" photo. It can be an informal snapshot, enlarged photocopy of your Driver's License photo, etc. This photo will be used to ensure that faculty are referring to the correct individual when completing evaluations.
Combinations to Include in Video Audition or Prepare for In-Person Audition
All dancers auditioning virtually for the Kent State dance program are asked to choose one of the following combinations for inclusion in their video audition. For those auditioning in-person, all three combinations will be part of the live audition.
Ballet - Center Floor - Adagio with Pirouette Combination
On-Campus, In-Person Audition Format
Dance auditions are comprised of a group audition and Dance major interviews and solo auditions.
The movement portion of the audition takes place in Dance Studio D123 in the Kent Center for the Performing Arts located at 1325 Theatre Drive, Kent, Ohio 44242.
Note: Individuals auditioning for Dance minor are excused following group audition. Prospective Dance majors are excused following their solo audition.
Schedule
8:30-9:00 a.m. Arrive at the Kent State University School of Theatre and Dance (Center for the Performing Arts, 1325 Theatre Drive, Kent OH 44242). Free parking is available across the street in the large commuter lot.
9:00-9:30 a.m. Q & A with Dance Faculty and Students in Dance Studio D123
9:40-10:30 a.m. Group Ballet Audition (Ballet Barre, Ballet combination, and center and/or across the floor) in Dance Studio D123
10:35-11:10 a.m. Group Modern Audition (Modern combination and Improvisation) in Dance Studio D123
11:15-11:50 a.m. Group Jazz Audition (Jazz combination) in Dance Studio D123
11:50 a.m. Dance minor applicants excused
12:00-1:30 p.m. Individual presentations of Dance Majors’ solos and Interviews
Expectations for Those Auditioning
- Alignment, flexibility, strength and endurance
- Musicality
- Vocabulary
- Ability to pick up combinations
- Ability to make corrections
- Ability to persevere even if mistakes are made
- Creativity
- Movement flow
- Sensitivity to energy, dynamics and force
- Performance quality
- Openness to new ideas
- Enthusiasm for dance
Items to Bring with You
Appropriate dance clothes and shoes, footless tights/leggings, socks, water and snacks. Those auditioning for the Dance major, please bring the music for your solo (phone or other smart device).
Visit Campus
If unable to attend one of the designated audition dates, prospective students may arrange to visit the School of Theatre and Dance to take a dance class and perform a solo.
To arrange a visit, please contact the Director School of Theatre and Dance, Tony Hardin at ahardi14@kent.edu.
Results
Audition results will be sent to applicants approximately 2 to 3 weeks following auditions. Confirmation of intention to attend Kent State University is requested by May 15.
For More Information
For more information about registering for an audition, please contact Terri Siefer at 330-672-0100 or tsiefer@kent.edu.
Alternative Virtual Audition Option
The School of Theatre and Dance uses Acceptd for dance audition registration. To participate in a virtual audition, when prompted to choose an audition date select the “Video Option.” The link to access Acceptd is below.
Register for a Dance Audition
Contact the Dance Division Coordinator with any questions or for an alternate audition method.
Please email Terri Siefer at tsiefer@kent.edu.
Students interested in pursuing one of the alternate audition options will still need to complete audition registration. Instructions can be found below.
Please be prepared to provide the following:
- Information on previous dance experience
- Letter of recommendation (see requirements below)
- A photo for identification purposes (see requirements below)
- For those auditioning via video:
- A video introduction no more than 2 minutes in length discussing your previous dance background, your future career goals, and what brought you to Kent State
- A video of one of the specified and demonstrated combinations (see section below)
- A video of a 1.5 - 3 minute solo in a style or genre which contrasts the combination you chose
(Please note – all three of the above items can be combined into one video and can either be shared within your application as a link or as an uploaded file.)
Letter of Recommendation Requirements
A letter of recommendation is required. A letter from a current dance instructor is preferred, however a letter from a previous teacher is permitted. The letter should briefly address the student’s technical and creative abilities, degree of commitment, attendance habits and class attitude.
Photo Requirements
The photo does NOT need to be a professional photo or a "dance" photo. It can be an informal snapshot, enlarged photocopy of your Driver's License photo, etc. This photo will be used to ensure that faculty are referring to the correct individual when completing evaluations.
Combinations to Include in Video Audition
All dancers auditioning virtually for the Kent State dance program are asked to choose one of the following combinations for inclusion in their video audition:
Ballet - Center Floor - Adagio with Pirouette Combination
Expectations for Those Auditioning
Alignment, flexibility, strength and endurance
- Musicality
- Vocabulary
- Ability to pick up combinations
- Ability to make corrections
- Ability to persevere even if mistakes are made
- Creativity
- Movement flow
- Sensitivity to energy, dynamics and force
- Performance quality
- Openness to new ideas
- Enthusiasm for dance
Dance Clothing
Appropriate dance clothes and shoes, footless tights/leggings
Visit Campus
If unable to attend one of the designated audition dates, prospective students may arrange to visit the School of Theatre and Dance to take a dance class and perform a solo.
To arrange a visit, please contact the Director School of Theatre and Dance, Tony Hardin at ahardi14@kent.edu.
Results
Audition results will be sent to applicants approximately 2 to 3 weeks following auditions. Confirmation of intention to attend Kent State University is requested by May 15.
For More Information
For more information about registering for an audition, please contact Terri Siefer at 330-672-0100 or tsiefer@kent.edu.