Overview
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance offers intensive, professional training within a rigorous academic setting. Students train in daily technique classes in ballet and contemporary dance forms, while also enjoying a curriculum that consists of practical and theoretical studies in performance, choreography, pedagogy and related dance studies (dance history, experiential anatomy, somatics and cultural dance forms).
Students have the opportunity to perform and participate in the department’s award-winning dance company, Dance Repertory Theatre, and work with internationally recognized guest artists and scholars at one of the nation’s top research universities. The University of Texas at Austin is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).
B.F.A. in Dance students may also pursue the UTeach Dance option with an emphasis in dance education, leading to teacher certification for grades 6-12 for the State of Texas. Students interested in UTeach Dance (B.F.A. in Dance with teacher certification) are invited to apply to the certification program during their sophomore year of study at the university. There is no application process for the UTeach Dance option for incoming freshman admission.
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 8, 2023
Applicants will select their intended major and then upload an audition video.
Dance Video Audition Requirements
- Video 1: Personal Introduction – Please explain why you are pursuing a B.F.A. in 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.
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:
- 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: March 1, 2024
Applicants will select their intended major and then upload an audition video.
Dance Video Audition Requirements
- Video 1: Personal Introduction – Please explain why you are pursuing a B.F.A. in 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.
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.
An audition is required for admission to the B.F.A. in Dance program. You can upload your audition videos when you complete the Internal Transfer Application.
Dance Video Audition Requirements
- Video 1: Personal Introduction – Please explain why you are pursuing a B.F.A. in 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.
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 8, 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 1, 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
FIRST YEAR | SECOND YEAR | THIRD YEAR | FOURTH YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Contemporary Technique Ballet Technique Public Practice Physical Conditioning Production Lab |
Intermediate Contemporary Technique Intermediate Ballet Technique Movement Improvisation Fund Projects in Dance Performance and Repertory Movement Composition |
TD Elective Option Dance History I & II Projects in Dance Performance and Repertory |
Choreography I Dance Pedagogy Theory Topics in Dance Movement Adv Projects in Dance Performance and Repertory Choreo Design Dance Movement TD Elective Option - History/Cultural Diversity |
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.
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