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Dance Audition Guidelines

B.F.A. and B.A. Dance Auditions 

B.F.A. and B.A. dance applicants are required to submit an academic application prior to scheduling a dance audition. Once the academic application is submitted, applicants can schedule an audition date via Point Park University's Accept'd homepage. You will need to create an account in Accept'd in order to upload dance materials and register for an audition date. 

Artistic Audition Fee

A $115 artistic review fee is required for B.F.A. and B.A. dance applicants. Fee is paid upon completion of the artistic application process via Accept'd. Payment is non-refundable.  

What to Expect on Audition Day

Print-friendly version of the Dance Audition Guidelines

  • On-campus audition day activities typically last from 8:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. Plan to spend your day on campus.
  • A confirmation email will be sent one week prior to audition day with approximate times and locations.
  • Solo variations are not accepted.
  • Parents are NOT permitted to observe the audition class.
  • A campus tour, faculty Q&A session for auditioning students, and a parent/student Q&A session are included with the on-campus audition day. 

Training

Dancers should currently be training at least 10 hours per week for a minimum of three years and must have a working knowledge and understanding of the following principles:

  • Proper placement specific to chosen genre or concentration
  • Coordination
  • Epaulement (body positions that create a sense of line connecting upper and lower body)
  • Weight shifting
  • Adaptability or versatility
  • Musicality

Applicants should be proficient in their chosen concentration and have working knowledge in the other areas. 

What to Bring to Your Audition

  • Performance/training resume
  • Headshot (8x10 in size)
  • Full-body photograph in first arabesque for Ballet, Jazz or Modern concentrations is required (8x10 in size). Dancers interested in the ballet concentration should be on pointe or relevé.  
  • Dancers interested in the hip hop concentration may provide a movement photo in addition to the headshot but not required.

Do NOT mail these materials prior to your audition. All materials submitted to Point Park University are NON-RETURNABLE.

Audition Attire

Hair should be groomed and/or secured off the face and above the neck - no hats, bandanas or headbands.

Ballet 

  • Solid color leotard or fitted top and tights or unitard, bare feet 
  • Pointe: Only required for Ballet concentrations but optional for all concentrations

Modern 

  • Solid color leotard or fitted top and tights or unitard, bare feet

Jazz

  • Solid color leotard or fitted top and tights or black leggings or unitard, bare feet or jazz shoes

Hip Hop 

  • Loose or form-fitted dance wear (nothing too revealing), including sweats, leggings, basketball shorts, tanks, t-shirts; comfortable tennis shoes or sneakers.

Audition Class

Dancers will be observed in all disciplines:

  • The audition class will begin with a required ballet class for all
  • Pointe and/or allegro and turns (only required of ballet concentration)
  • Modern portion required for all
  • Jazz portion required for all
  • Hip hop portion required for all

Audition Decisions

Admittance into the School of Dance is based on talent and potential as demonstrated in the audition. Applicants must be academically and artistically admitted into Point Park University. Applicants will not receive their artistic decisions until they have received an academic decision from the Office of Admissions. Once the academic decision has been processed, artistic results will be sent out. Applicants will be notified by email and letter of their artistic decision and possible artistic achievement award as the academic and artistic decisions are made.

Video Audition Requirements

August 2025: please check back for video audition information. 

Directions and Hotel Accommodations

Directions | Area hotels | Where to park

Learn More

Questions? 

If you have any questions, please read our frequently asked questions or contact the Conservatory of Performing Arts at 412-392-3451 or via e-mail at conservatory@pointpark.edu. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.