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, such 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.


Freshman Applicants

1. Submit the ApplyTexas Application or Common App Application

Available: August 1, 2023
Deadline: December 1, 2023

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, please visit the Office of Admissions website.

2. Submit Theatre and Dance Application Requirements

Available: September 1, 2023
Deadline: December 11, 2023

Applicants will select their intended major and then upload an audition video or submit a portfolio as applicable to your emphasis. Check out this tutorial for instructions on how to access and submit the Fine Arts Supplemental application.

The portal to submit a Theatre and Dance application will be accessible via the applicant’s MyStatus portal.


Transfer Applicants

For External Applicants

1. Submit the ApplyTexas Application or Common App Application

Available: August 1, 2023
Deadline: March 1, 2024

The Common App or ApplyTexas fall application is due March 1. All applicants must submit a transfer university application via ApplyTexas or Common App. This university application will include:

For a full list of application requirements, please visit the Office of Admissions website.

2. Submit Theatre and Dance Application Requirements

Available: September 1, 2023
Deadline: March 8, 2024

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

The portal to submit a Theatre and Dance application will be 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: February 1, 2024
Deadline: May 1, 2024

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

  • Applicants should prepare a slate, a contemporary monologue and a sceneEach video will be approximately one-minute in length.
    • The slate is an opportunity for us to "meet you." Please tell us who you are, where you’re from and what impact you hope to have on the world or in your community post-college graduation.
  • 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.

For some pointers on how to light, frame and otherwise make a great audition, please watch this video (also available below) from acting faculty member, Corey Allen. For more detailed information regarding the video audition and application requirements, check out this Acting Video Audition Instructions and Tips sheet. 

View this video in Vimeo. 

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 2024 opens.August 1, 2023
    Department of Theatre and Dance application opens.September 1, 2023
    ApplyTexas or Common App application deadline.December 1, 2023
    Deadline for students to submit all additional application items, including Theatre and Dance application.December 11, 2023

     

    APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR EXTERNAL TRANSFER APPLICANTS 

    ApplyTexas or Common App application for admittance in Fall 2024 opens.August 1, 2023
    Department of Theatre and Dance application for external transfers opens.September 1, 2023
    ApplyTexas or Common App application deadline.March 1, 2024
    Deadline for students to submit all additional application items, including Theatre and Dance application.March 8, 2024

     

    APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS (CHANGE OR ADD MAJOR)

    Application for internal transfers (change of major) opens.February 1, 2024
    Deadline to submit all application requirements.May 1, 2024

     


    Sample Curriculum

    Dance Performance and Choreography
    FIRST YEAR SECOND YEAR THIRD YEAR FOURTH YEAR

    Performance as Public Practice

    Ballet Technique

    Somatics/Physical Conditioning

    Contemporary Technique

    Performance as Collaborative Practice

    Technical Theatre

    Production Lab

    Movement Improv 

    Intermediate Contemporary/Ballet

    Advanced Production Lab

    Movement Comp

    Advanced Production Lab

    Dance History I & II

    History/Lit Top or Honors Seminar

    TD Lower/Upper Division

    Projects in Dance Performance and Repertory

    TD Upper Division - Dance

    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

    Technical Theatre

    Acting I

    Stage Management 

    Performance as Collaborative Practice

    Production Lab

    Design for Performance

    Theatre History Before 18th

    Stage Management Forum

    TD Upper Division

    Theatre History Since 18th

    Advanced Production Lab

    Production Management

    Advanced Production Lab

    Stage Management Forum

    Festival & Event Management

    History/Lit Topic or Honors Seminar

    Stage Management Forum

    Advanced Production Lab

    Advanced Stage Management

    New Works Festival

    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

    Acting I

    Performance as Collaborative Practice

    Technical Theatre

    Production Lab

    Theatre History Before 18th

    Advanced Production Lab

    Theatre History Since 18th

    Advanced Production Lab

    Dance History I & II

    TD Lower/Upper Division

    History/Lit Topic or Honors Seminar

    Directing I

    Dramaturgy

    New Works Festival

    TD 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. 

    Performer's Process
    FIRST YEAR SECOND YEAR THIRD YEAR FOURTH YEAR

    Performance as Public Practice

    Acting I & II

    Performance as Collaborative Practice

    Technical Theatre

    Production Lab

    Theatre History I & II or Dance History I & II

    Advanced Production Lab

    Acting III or Playwriting I

    Improv Drama

    Advanced Production Lab

    UD Acting Topic (Topics Vary)

    History/Lit Topic or Honors Seminar

    New Works Festival

    Directing I

    UD Acting Topic (Topics Vary)

    TD UpperDivision

    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

    Acting I

    Performance as Collaborative Practice

    Playwriting I

    Technical Theatre

    Production Lab

    Theatre History Before 18th

    Playwriting II & III

    Advanced Production Lab

    Theatre History Since 18th

    Advanced Production Lab

    Directing I & II

    History/Lit Topic or Honors Seminar

    TD Lower/Upper Division

    New Works Festival

    Devised Work/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. 

    Theatre for Youth and Communities
    FIRST YEAR SECOND YEAR THIRD YEAR FOURTH YEAR

    Performance as Public Practice

    Acting I

    Performance as Collaborative Practice

    Technical Theatre

    Production Lab

    Theatre History Before 18th

    Theatre for Young Audiences

    Advanced Production Lab

    Theatre History Since 18th

    Advanced Production Lab

    Directing I

    Creative Drama I

    History/Lit Topic or Honors Seminar

    New Works Festival

    TD Lower/Upper Division

    TD Lower/Upper Division

    Teaching Artists in Schools

    TD 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. 

    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.

     

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