No, you do not need to audition in order to participate in dance at Denison. Because we are a liberal arts college, the belief is that students are the authors of their curricular choices and will discover their passions while here. We require no formal audition to major in dance. However, there are auditions built into the dance major requirements.  We hold auditions for faculty and guest artist performance courses, which culminate in a semester-end performance, on the first or second Wednesday of each semester. Selection and participation in works choreographed by faculty and guest artists automatically enrolls a student in a performance course. One does not need to be enrolled in dance department classes to audition, although in the case of indecision between two people, we will give preference to someone who has indicated his or her ongoing commitment to learning the physical aspect of dancing as a major or minor in dance.  First-year students are encouraged to audition.

Additionally, the first week of classes the faculty will conduct placement auditions. Students may be asked to move up or down in level at the professor’s recommendation.

If you are applying for admission to Denison and plan to major or minor in dance, we can assist in your application process by commenting on your dance expereince. If you send a DVD to Admissions as part of your application, Dance department faculties can provide evaluative information to Admissions as part of the selection process for admittance to Denison.  Your DVD should show your dancing strengths as a performer and a choreographer (if you have created work). A sample of the diversity of your dancing is also helpful.

You can find more information about the major or minor requirements under the Curriculum tab labeled Major/Minor.