Dance Department Auditions

Application process for acceptance into Belhaven University and the dance department are two separate items.  Apply and submit items for acceptance prior to auditions.

Auditions for Dance Majors and Minors:

Saturday, November 19, 2011 and Saturday, February 18, 2012, 8:00 – 12:00 noon.
The deadlines for registering and turning in required documents are November 8, 2011 and February 8, 2012, respectively.  The deadlines for requesting a host student on campus are November 11, 2011 and February 10, 2012, respectively. Also, the Fridays before each audition date the admission office will host Discover Day – a day for you to check out all of Belhaven.

Our general auditions for admission to the dance tracks and for dance scholarships will be held on the dates mentioned above.  Please send in your registration form to reserve a spot!  The auditions will take place in our spacious studios on the Belhaven University campus.  The Belhaven University Dance Department offers the following programs in Dance: the Minor in Dance, the Bachelor of Arts in Dance, the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, Certificate Program in ballet or dance and the Dance Apprentice Program for talented high school-age students. Call us 601-965-1400 should you have any questions.  We look forward to hearing from you! 

Please return the completed registration form, a letter of intent (describing why you want to study dance at Belhaven University), and two current photos: a headshot (portrait), and one of you, in profile, posing in first arabesque en relevé (full body) at your earliest convenience. These items should be mailed by regular postal service to Belhaven University, Dance Dept. 1500 Peachtree St., Box 314, Jackson, MS  39202.  Returning these materials will reserve you a spot for the audition!

Attire: Men should wear a tight fitting t-shirt or leotard, tights, and soft ballet shoes.  Women should wear a solid-colored leotard (tank-style without excessive straps), pink tights, and soft ballet shoes.  If you are currently on pointe, and have been for more than one year, please bring your pointe shoes and prepare your feet before class begins.  For the modern class you should be able to quickly switch to bare feet.  Hair should be neat, securely confined, and off the nape of the neck in a bun. 

If you would like the faculty to see (more) work you have performed at the audition, please leave a clearly labeled video tape, accompanied by an explanation of the work(s) and a description of what you look like in the piece(s), at the registration table.  These tapes will be viewed at a later date.

Please don't hesitate to call the dance office at 601-965-1400 or (800) 960-5940 should you have any questions.

Video Tape Audition:

Please submit videos by May 3, 2012.

To audition with a video tape, you will need to download and fill out the registration form and compulsory exercises sheet we require every applicant to complete (links provided below).  Please read the guidelines carefully to insure the best results possible.  If you want, you may attach an excerpt of a recent performance.  If this is not a solo work, be sure to clearly indicate which one of the dancers is you.

Please note that an audition by video allows only for admission to the dance tracks.  An audition by video does NOT make the applicant eligible for dance scholarships.  The dance faculty will award scholarships on the basis of an audition in person ONLY.

At your earliest convenience please submit the following items:

• the completed video
• the completed registration form
• two photos
  • headshot (portrait)
  • profile, in first arabesque en relevé (full body)
• letter of intent, describing why you want to study dance at Belhaven University

Please do not hesitate to call the dance office should you have any questions or concerns at 601-965-1400. 

For all applicants: Download Dance Registration Form.

For video applicants only: Download Video Audition Compulsory Exercises. (Available in PDF.)