Admission Requirements

All current UWSP students applying to the dance major and minor programs must successfully complete an on-campus performance audition and interview with the UWSP dance faculty. Several tuition scholarships will be awarded to students accepted as dance majors.  The faculty selects scholarship recipients during the on-campus audition; an additional scholarship application is not required.

The dance faculty considers the following elements of your application and audition:

• In your written application – your ability to clearly and completely communicate your ideas and goals;
• During your audition – your ability to engage with new ideas and information, your capacity to embody the material presented, both physically and intellectually, and your knowledge of and ability in at least 2 of the 4 techniques offered at UWSP (ballet, modern, jazz and tap);
• In your prepared solo – your ability to communicate through movement; and
• During your interview – your ability to articulate your reasons for studying dance at the university level.

Mission Statement

UWSP's Dance Program aspires to create a dynamic culture in which students are inspired to achieve full physical expression, technical and stylistic range, and anatomical efficiency. We are dedicated to artistic experimentation and contemporary inquiry that is culturally relevant and historically grounded, preparing students to communicate, contribute and lead as global citizen artists.

Required Materials Checklist

Your resume listing dance training, performance experience, and awards

One recent photograph – either a headshot or dance photo

Your three-page essay, typed, double-spaced, and carefully proofread for spelling, grammar and completeness of ideas. Your answers should be thoughtful and detailed.

Essay content:  

• Considering UWSP's Dance Program Mission Statement, your reasons for pursuing a dance major or minor in our program.
• Describe what most interests you about studying dance at the university level.
• Describe the ways you see yourself as a leader in the field of dance now, and in what ways you envision yourself leading in the future.
  
• Two letters of recommendation (signed and dated) from individuals able to assess your abilities. We accept email letters of recommendation (mail to: dance@uwsp.edu).
• One letter should be written by an academic teacher or advisor who is able comment on your ability to be successful in university-level academic coursework; the second letter should be written by a primary dance teacher who is able to comment on your ability and potential to be successful in a university-level dance program.  

Upload your completed application, including all required materials, Acceptd.com two weeks prior to your audition date. Applications will be accepted in advance of the deadline. Any applications received after this deadline may not be considered. Please direct questions regarding this application to:

Professor Michael Estanich, Department of Theatre & Dance, Noel Fine Arts Center, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI 54481 | Voice: 715/346-3978 | email: dance@uwsp.edu

 

 

Guidelines

To schedule an audition/interview the candidate must submit in advance, via Acceptd:

·         A two-page essay summarizing your reasons for wanting to pursue a major in theatre

·         A resume listing your experience in theatre

·         A sample of scholarly writing from a History or English course

·         Two letters of recommendation

Interview Requirements

·         After you have submitted all the above required information via Acceptd, you will schedule an appointment to meet with the BA Program Coordinator to discuss your background, goals, and interests, as well as questions you may have regarding the program.

• Two contrasting, contemporary monologues – one comic, one serious – both of which should be relatively age-appropriate.

• Total time of audition (both monologues together) must not exceed 3 minutes.

Before scheduling an interview, you must submit the following materials to Acceptd:

·         An essay summarizing your reasons for wanting to pursue a major in design/technology

·         A resume listing your experience in theatre

·         Two letters of recommendation

·         Portfolio materials may be submitted online or you may bring them to your interview.

Interview Requirements

·         You will meet with the Design & Technology Staff to review your portfolio materials and discuss your background, goals, and interests.

• Perform two contrasting songs from the Musical Theatre Repertoire – one ballad and one up-tempo; each lasting no longer than one minute. One of these songs should be written before 1975. Both songs should be appropriate for your age, vocal range, and personality.

• Perform one prepared monologue from a contemporary realistic play – either comic or serious, one minute or less. Selection should be appropriate for your age, personality and character type.

• Total time of audition (songs and monologue) must not exceed 3 minutes. You will be timed.

• Because UWSP is doing all program auditions virtually, no formal dance audition will be required at this time. Students with dance experience may choose to submit a short video demonstrating your abilities to Mark Hanson (mhanson@uwsp.edu), Program Coordinator for the BFA in Musical Theatre. This is not a requirement to be considered for the BFA in Musical Theatre program.
  

(not hard-and-fast rules, but tips for selecting appropriate material)

• Select monologues/songs that showcase "your best you."  We're interested in seeing the truth of who you are and what you bring to the theatrical space.  Select characters that are relatively close to your age, and trust that the way you honestly move and speak/sing is sufficient to express those characters.  Don't select monologues that require a major vocal or physical characterization choice (like a dialect, or a non-human physicality).

• If you are auditioning in NYC or Chicago and want to be considered for both the Musical Theatre and Acting programs, the Musical Theatre audition requirements should be followed.  BFA Acting faculty may request a second monologue if time permits – you should have one ready.

• For BFA Acting Auditions…

• If you feel you are particularly skilled at dialects or strange/broad/over-the-top characterizations, it's not a bad idea to have a third monologue (or more) memorized and ready to go – just in case we ask if you have a third monologue.  Select these "extra" monologues based on the special skills you want to showcase.  Extra monologues are not required in any way, but good actors are always ready to show off their skills…

• If you have experience with classical text (Shakespeare, Greeks, "heightened language") and feel it is a strength, you may want to have a monologue ready as back-up, or you may use it as one of your two required monologues, in place of a contemporary one.  Again, only do this if you feel strong about the material.

• Read plays and musicals.  Select monologues/characters from plays that you find compelling or hilarious.  Read and know the whole play to understand the character.  Know the playwright.  Don't pick monologues out of a monologue book, or that you saw a clip of on YouTube, without knowing the larger story it comes from.  Monologues from movies, TV, or any other medium, tend to not be as effective.