Application & Audition

Application Process

• Submit an application to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  The Dance BFA, BA, and Dance & Kinesiology (BA/BS) degrees are available as first choice or second choice majors on the application.
• Register for one of the audition dates below. In addition to our in-person and online auditions, you can also find us at various college recruitment fairs, festivals and auditions throughout the country.

Audition Information

2026-2027 Audition and Open House Dates (In-Person)

The audition is designed to give our faculty members a comprehensive view of your technical and creative abilities and help them learn about your background and interests in the dance field. There are two in-person audition options available.

• Saturday, October 17, 2026 – Audition & Open House for Juniors & Seniors in High School (UIUC Campus) 9am – 5pm
  -Registration: 9-9:30am
  -Audition 9:30am-12:30pm (Seniors can audition for 2027 admission, Juniors can audition for Summer High School Intensive Scholarships)
  -Financial Aid presentation for families 10-11am
  -Complimentary lunch at Illinois Street Residence Hall & dorm tour 12:30-1:30pm
  -Informational Q & A with our faculty and current students
  -Krannert Center for the Performing Arts tour
  -attend/receive complimentary tickets to our October Dance Concert Saturday evening
  -Registration opening soon

• Saturday January 23, 2027 – Audition in Chicago (Visceral Dance Center) 2:30-6pm
  -Registration opening soon

The audition consists of:

• Technique portion with various styles and forms, including ballet, modern, African dance and improvisation.
• Solo composition showing a piece you have choreographed. The solo, no more than three minutes long, should be designed to demonstrate your creativity and show your abilities as a performer. We are not interested in seeing technical tricks as much as seeing your individuality and sense of self in your performance. The solo can be performed in silence or with music.
• Interview with faculty.

Notification of Results

Early Action Deadline: November 2026 TBD
Early Action Notification: January 2027 TBD
Regular Admission Deadline: TBD
Admission Notification: TBD

Additional opportunities to audition for our program:

See and Be Seen 2026, facilitated by Eisenhower Dance Detroit, Canton, MI: October 3-4
Dancewave in NY: October 10-11
Illinois High School Dance Festival: October TBD
Youth Performing Arts School College & Career Day, Louisville, KY: October 23
US Fall Dance College & Career Fair 2026 at Atlanta Ballet: Sept/Oct
Chicago National Association of Dance Masters: Schaumburg, Il: November 6

Financial Aid

If you audition before March, you will automatically be considered for a Talented Student Tuition Award. March applicants may be eligible also if funds are still available. These awards are granted to auditioning students who demonstrate an unusually high level of talent and potential, and they cover four years of study in our program, provided the recipient remains a student in good standing. These awards are applied directly toward your tuition bill and cannot be applied toward fees or charges for room and board. Other awards, scholarships, grants, and loans are available, and employment opportunities through the Federal Work-Study Program and on and off campus can help you fund your education. Get more information from the Office of Student Financial Aid.