Apply to the BA in Theatre and Dance

B.A. in Theatre and Dance

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Dance allows students to explore multiple disciplines within the department. Students select a curriculum from departmental course offerings that can be tailored to pursue the following emphases:

  • dance performance and choreography
  • design and technology (includes stage management)
  • history, literature and dramaturgy
  • performer's process
  • playwriting and directing
  • theatre for youth and communities

The B.A. in Theatre and Dance includes flexible elective hours that allow students to combine this degree plan with coursework in other areas as a certification program or double major.

The department produces an annual season of six to eight main stage productions encompassing a wide variety of performance experiences that range from classical to contemporary plays, musical theatre and original scripts. In addition, there are more than 20 performance opportunities each year for students majoring in theatre. Many productions are student-produced, providing opportunities to develop new skills as directors, writers, production managers, designers and dramaturgs.


First-Year Applicants

1. Submit the ApplyTexas Application or Common App Application

Available: August 1, 2022
Deadline: December 1, 2022

All applicants must submit a freshman university application via ApplyTexas or Common App. This university application will include:

  • Application
  • Fee
  • Essay
  • Short answers
  • Transcript(s)
  • Other required optional materials, if applicable
  • Scholarship interest form

For a full list of application requirements, take a look at the Applying for Admission Checklist.

2. Submit Theatre and Dance Application Requirements

Available: August 22, 2022
Deadline: December 9, 2022

Applicants will select their intended major and then upload an audition video or submit a portfolio as applicable to your emphasis.

PLEASE NOTE: The portal to submit a Theatre and Dance application will be available late August and accessible via the applicant’s MyStatus portal.


Transfer Applicants

For External Applicants

1. Submit the ApplyTexas Application or Common App Application

Available: August 1, 2022
Deadline: March 1, 2023

The Common App or ApplyTexas fall application is due March 1. Students may submit all additional application materials until Wednesday, March 8 (11:59 p.m. Central)All applicants must submit a transfer university application via ApplyTexas or Common App. This university application will include:

  • Application
  • Fee
  • Essay
  • Short answers
  • Transcript(s)
  • Other required optional materials, if applicable
  • Scholarship interest form

For a full list of application requirements, take a look at the Applying for Admission Checklist.

2. Submit Theatre and Dance Application Requirements

Available: August 22, 2022
Deadline: March 8, 2023

Applicants will select their intended major and then upload an audition video or submit a portfolio as applicable to your emphasis.

PLEASE NOTE: The portal to submit a Theatre and Dance application will be available late August and accessible via the applicant’s MyStatus portal.

For Internal Applicants (Change or Add Major)

1. Complete The University of Texas at Austin Internal Transfer Application

Available: January 1, 2023
Deadline: May 1, 2023

For more information regarding the internal transfer process, please visit the Office of Admissions Internal Transfer website.


Audition/Portfolio Requirements

Auditions for the B.A. in Theatre and Dance (Performer's Process)

Applicants who consider themselves primarily performers are required to audition and upload supplemental materials for admission to the B.A. in Theatre and Dance program. All applicants will submit a video prescreen audition. Select applicants may be invited to attend an in-person or virtual callback audition.

Performer's Process Video Audition Requirements

  • Personal Introduction - Please tell us who you are, where you're from, and what impact you hope to have on the world or your community post college graduation (approximately one minute).
  • Two Contrasting Monologues from Contemporary Published Playscripts (2 min. total)
    • NOTE: The personal introduction and two monologues should be uploaded as one video file. Separate clips are not allowed.
    • "Contrasting" does not have to mean comedy and drama. Rather, think about contrasts in relationships and what you're trying to do in your monologue.
    • When looking for "contemporary" work, try to choose pieces that have been published after 1990. Please do not submit classical monologues.
  • Applicants will also be asked to upload a headshot and artistic resume.
    • NOTE: headshot does not have to be a professional headshot. It can be a clear image taken on your mobile device.
Auditions for B.A. in Theatre and Dance (Dance Performance and Choreography)

Applicants who consider themselves primarily performers are required to audition and upload supplemental materials for admission to the B.A. in Theatre and Dance program. All applicants will submit a video prescreen audition. Select applicants may be invited to attend an in-person or virtual callback audition.

Dance Video Audition Requirements

  • Video 1: Personal Introduction – Please explain why you are pursuing a B.A. in Theatre and Dance and what draws you to UT Austin’s program specifically (approximately one minute).
  • Videos 2 & 3: Movement Samples - please submit two videos, one minute each, demonstrating two different genres of dance movement. Excerpts can be choreographed, self-choreographed or improvised. If ballet is one of the selected genres, please show center work (no barre). If possible, please film your movement in a way that shows your capacity to move in and through space. 
  • Video 4: Creative Risk-Taking - Please submit one additional movement sample, one minute long, demonstrating your capacity for creative risk-taking. You could explore a dance form that is unfamiliar to you or perform a familiar dance form in an innovative way. If you have not choreographed before, you might choreograph your own movement, or if you have not improvised before, you might explore improvisation. The important thing is to move outside of your comfort zone. Please include a brief description explaining how this movement sample is a creative risk. 
    Portfolio for B.A. in Theatre and Dance (Various Emphases)

    Applicants who are applying for any of the following emphases are required to submit a portfolio for admission to the B.A. in Theatre and Dance program:

    • design and technology (includes stage management)
    • history, literature and dramaturgy
    • playwriting and directing
    • NOTE: Students who are applying for the theatre for youth and communities emphasis do not need to submit a portfolio. You will be invited to engage in a virtual interview after the application deadline.

    A portfolio is a collection of your work that is related to theatre and/or dance. Applicants have the option to upload visual images of their work (up to 10 images), a PowerPoint presentation of their work or a website link. Items may include:

    • Directing: notes, blocking sketches, scene breakdowns;
    • Stage Management: notes, blocking notations, call-sheets, script with cues, cue list, rehearsal notes;
    • Theatrical Design: research, sketches, mood boards, renderings, models, light plots, draftings, production photos, audio design clips, and samples of sewing, tailoring, woodworking, drawing and painting;
    • Dramaturgy: research, actor packets, program notes, timelines, cultural or historical context analysis;
    • Playwriting: writing samples;
    • Other items you may want to include in your portfolio: playbills/posters you have designed, marketing materials, fundraising plans, budgets, acting or dance samples

    Applicants will also be asked to upload a headshot and artistic resume.

    • NOTE: headshot does not have to be a professional headshot. It can be a clear image taken on your mobile device.

    APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR FRESHMEN APPLICANTS

    ApplyTexas or Common App application for admittance in Fall 2023 opens. August 1, 2022
    Department of Theatre and Dance application opens. August 22, 2022
    ApplyTexas or Common App application deadline. December 1, 2022
    Deadline for students to submit all additional application items, including Theatre and Dance application. December 9, 2022

     

    APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR EXTERNAL TRANSFER APPLICANTS 

    ApplyTexas or Common App application for admittance in Fall 2023 opens. August 1, 2022
    Department of Theatre and Dance application for external transfers opens. August 22, 2022
    ApplyTexas or Common App application deadline. March 1, 2023
    Deadline for students to submit all additional application items, including Theatre and Dance application. March 8, 2023

     

    APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS (CHANGE OR ADD MAJOR)

    Application for internal transfers (change of major) opens. January 1, 2023
    Deadline to submit all application requirements. May 1, 2023

     


    Sample Curriculum

    Dance Performance and Choreography
    FIRST YEAR SECOND YEAR THIRD YEAR FOURTH YEAR
    Performance as Public Practice Production Lab Advanced Production Lab Pedagogy / Interm/Adv Contemp/Ballet
    Contemporary/Ballet Technique

    Movement Improv 

    Dance History I & II PDPR (DRT)
    Somatics/Physical Conditioning Intermediate Contemporary/Ballet Choreo I & II, Interm/Adv Contemp/Ballet Interm/Adv Contemp/Ballet (extra)
    Performance as Collaborative Practice Advanced Production Lab Interm/Adv Contemp/Ballet (extra) History/Lit Topic or Honors Seminar
    Technical Theatre Movement Comp    

    The schedule and availability of Theatre and Dance courses changes each semester. The courses listed above are examples for this focus. Students must also fulfill The University of Texas at Austin’s core curriculum, department core and elective requirements. 

    Design and Technology
    FIRST YEAR SECOND YEAR THIRD YEAR FOURTH YEAR
    Performance as Public Practice Theatre Hist I & II or Dance Hist I & II Advanced Production Lab TD Upper-Division
    Technical Theatre

    Production Lab

    TD Lower/Upper Division History/Lit Topic or Honors Seminar
    Acting I Design Skills (Costume/Scene/Light) New Works Festival  
    Performance as Collaborative Practice Advanced Production Lab    
    Design for Performance TD Lower/Upper Division    

    The schedule and availability of Theatre and Dance courses changes each semester. The courses listed above are examples for this focus. Students must also fulfill The University of Texas at Austin’s core curriculum, department core and elective requirements. 

    History/Literature/Dramaturgy
    FIRST YEAR SECOND YEAR THIRD YEAR FOURTH YEAR
    Performance as Public Practice Theatre Hist Before 18th Advanced Production Lab TD Upper-Division
    Acting I

    Production Lab

    Dance History I & II History/Lit Topic or Honors Seminar
    Performance as Collaborative Practice Theatre Hist Since 18th Directing I  
    TD Lower/Upper Division Advanced Production Lab New Works Festival  
    Technical Theatre   Dramaturgy  

    The schedule and availability of Theatre and Dance courses changes each semester. The courses listed above are examples for this focus. Students must also fulfill The University of Texas at Austin’s core curriculum, department core and elective requirements. 

    Performer's Process
    FIRST YEAR SECOND YEAR THIRD YEAR FOURTH YEAR
    Performance as Public Practice Theatre Hist I & II or Dance Hist I & II Advanced Production Lab TD Upper-Division
    Acting I Production Lab  Directing I History/Lit Topic or Honors Seminar
    Performance as Collaborative Practice Acting III or Playwriting I UD Acting Topic (Topics Vary)  
    Acting II Advanced Production Lab New Works Festival  
    Technical Theatre Improv Drama Directing II  

    The schedule and availability of Theatre and Dance courses changes each semester. The courses listed above are examples for this focus. Students must also fulfill The University of Texas at Austin’s core curriculum, department core and elective requirements. 

    Playwriting and Directing
    FIRST YEAR SECOND YEAR THIRD YEAR FOURTH YEAR
    Performance as Public Practice Theatre Hist Before 18th Advanced Production Lab TD Upper Division
    Acting I

    Production Lab

    Directing I TD Lower/Upper Division
    Performance as Collaborative Practice Playwriting II & III New Works Festival History/Lit Topic or Honors Seminar
    Playwriting I Theatre Hist Since 18th Directing II  
    Technical Theatre Advanced Production Lab    

    The schedule and availability of Theatre and Dance courses changes each semester. The courses listed above are examples for this focus. Students must also fulfill The University of Texas at Austin’s core curriculum, department core and elective requirements. 

    Theatre for Youth and Communities
    FIRST YEAR SECOND YEAR THIRD YEAR FOURTH YEAR
    Performance as Public Practice Theatre Hist Before 18th Advanced Production Lab Teaching Artists in Schools
    Acting I

    Production Lab

    TD Lower/Upper Division / Directing I & II TD Upper Division
    Performance as Collaborative Practice Theatre Young Audiences Creative Drama I History/Lit Topic or Honors Seminar
    Acting II / Design for Perf / Dance Topic Theatre Hist Since 18th New Works Festival  
    Technical Theatre Advanced Production Lab TD Lower/Upper Div / Creative Drama II  

    The schedule and availability of Theatre and Dance courses changes each semester. The courses listed above are examples for this focus. Students must also fulfill The University of Texas at Austin’s core curriculum, department core and elective requirements. 

    Download Sample Degree Plan: 

    Please note that this is a general degree plan for the B.A. in Theatre and Dance. Courses may vary depending on your chosen emphasis.

     

    You may need to install Acrobat Reader to access this document.