How to Audition & Apply

Audition + application process

Audition Days for the 2023/2024 season are:

  • Friday, November 17, 2023
  • Friday, February 2, 2024
  • Monday, March 4, 2024 (by special permission only)

To be invited to an audition day, you must first submit a prescreening audition through acceptd.com.

All audition materials must be received by November 10, 2023, for invitation to the November 17 audition, and by January 26, 2024, for the February 2 audition.

Notification of audition invitation will be emailed no more than one week after the deadline dates. Applications for 2023-2024 auditions will open August 15, 2023.

The itinerary for those granted a March 4, 2024, audition will be provided under separate cover.

You must complete your General Admissions application to Indiana University. In order to be considered for merit scholarships, you should submit your application by November 1.

Early application is helpful in the audition process. You can direct questions to Kate Lyons, Dance B.F.A. Liaison (kavander@iu.edu).

If you have been granted an audition with the IU Contemporary Dance Program—congratulations! Be sure to follow the instructions below to assist in preparation for an excellent audition. All applicants accepted into the B.F.A. Dance major are direct admits into the College of Arts and Sciences.

  • If you have been granted an audition you will receive an email confirming receipt of your application and your audition date.
  • For November 17, 2023, and February 2, 2024auditions: report to the lobby of the Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center at 8:30 a.m. for check-in and a meet-and-greet with refreshments on the date of your audition. A campus map will accompany your confirmation letter.
  • There will be a student and parent/guardian meeting from 9–10 a.m. in the Wells-Metz Theatre, adjacent to the lobby. A short tour of the building will follow; parents/guardians may accompany their students to Dance Studio 161 in the Public Health Building for a short technique demonstration and performance. 
  • The audition will begin promptly at 11:30 a.m. with a two-hour class. The class consists of warm-up, non-western and western phrase work, and somatic-based improvisation. 
  • A light lunch will be served from 1:30–2:15 p.m. You will have a chance at this time to chat with current dance majors. Please contact Ms. Lyons for any dietary preferences or restrictions. 
  • Following lunch, students will share a one-minute solo. You may choreograph your own solo, or work prior to the audition with a dance professional. If you chose to use music, please have your music available to play on an iPod, cell phone, or computer. CDs are not permitted.
  • A short concluding meeting will follow the audition. You may also elect to view repertory rehearsals scheduled after the audition and faculty and current dance majors will be available to answer questions at this time. An informal campus tour is also available. 
  • Letters indicating audition results will be sent approximately two weeks following the audition.
  • DRESS: Attire for the audition is black leotard and footless tights, black t-shirt and footless leggings, or a black footless unitard.

Please dress to maintain safety in the dance space. Wearing a face covering will in no way negatively affect your audition. We strongly encourage best and safest practices for dancers. 

 

Contemporary dance + general admission

All students are directly admitted into the B.F.A. in Contemporary Dance by prescreening and audition. You must complete an application in order to audition for IU Contemporary Dance. All audition materials must be received by November 10, 2023, for invitation to the November 17 audition, and by January 26, 2024, for invitation to the February 2 audition. 

To apply for the B.F.A., you should submit an application to the Indiana University Admissions Office concurrently with the application to the B.F.A. program in Dance. While acceptance into the B.F.A. ultimately depends on Indiana University admission, auditions may occur while admission is still pending.

When prompted to declare a major for the General Admissions application, please enter Contemporary Dance from the list of majors. Be sure to submit the General Admissions application by November 1 for merit scholarship consideration.

Visit the IU Admissions website

Contact our Dance B.F.A. liaison

You can direct questions to Kate Lyons, Dance B.F.A. Liaison, kavander@iu.edu. 

If you want to audition for our program but are experiencing difficulties with resources, please contact Ms. Lyons as early as possible. We will work with you to help you submit your materials in alternate forms to ensure equity during the audition process. Click here for more information about Acceptd fee waivers.