Undergraduate Theatre Sequence in Dance

The School of Theatre's dance sequence at Illinois State University offers an intensive, individualized, and performance-based approach in a challenging yet nurturing environment that prepares students for the diverse and rigorous career options within the field of dance or for future graduate study.

A comprehensive curriculum provides extensive opportunities for technical training in ballet, jazz, and modern dance. The design and structure of the Dance Sequence is predicated on the belief that creative, theoretical, and kinesthetic work merge to support the total growth and aesthetic maturation of the dancer and performer. Therefore, students also study anatomy, improvisation, dance history, and composition, as well as courses from the theatre program to complement the dancer's curriculum, such as stage make-up, basic acting, introduction to costuming, and lighting.

Two major dance concerts each year, in addition to informal concerts, lecture/demonstrations and master classes with guest artists enrich the learning environment for students. The dance program’s annual participation in the American College Dance Festival allows students the opportunity to work with professionals from around the country. Additional performance experience includes regular touring with the Illinois State Dance Theatre throughout the Midwest.

The dance program also offers the only Teacher Education Minor in Dance in the State of Illinois. Minimum requirements for state teacher certification mandate that students have 32 semester hours of study in the area to be endorsed. For more information about program requirements and course descriptions, please review the Undergraduate Catalog (pdf).

The School of Theatre Advantage:

A professionally active faculty with strong connections to nationally renowned companies.
A broad scope of theatre faculty and peers across the arts to enhance students’ development as artists.
Opportunities to work with a wide variety of guest artists and professional companies during the school year.
Summer training and performance opportunities.
Two annual concerts featuring the works of faculty and guest choreographers.
An annual student-choreographed concert and the opportunity to perform in opera and musical theatre productions and audition for other School of Theatre theatrical productions.
A rigorous and disciplined approach that encourages and supports individual growth.
Emphasis on a variety of movement styles and techniques within the disciplines of classical ballet, modern dance, and jazz dance to prepare dancers and performers for many options upon graduation.

Admission to the Undergraduate Dance Sequence

Prospective freshmen and transfer students must participate in an audition for admittance to the Dance Sequence. Students auditioning for the Dance Sequence are automatically considered for scholarship support and do not need to participate in an additional scholarship audition or interview. To arrange an audition, complete the School of Theatre Application Form and any additional required materials and send to the School of Theatre. You will receive confirmation of your audition date by e-mail or letter. For Audition Guidelines and information on scholarship requirements, visit Audition, Portfolio Review, & Scholarship Interview Guidelines. Continuation in the Dance Sequence after the freshman year is by consent of the dance faculty.

For Audition, Portfolio Review, and Scholarship Interview dates, go to Admissions.

Notification

Within two weeks of your audition, you will be notified about your status. You will be accepted into the Dance Sequence, not accepted, or placed under consideration with a decision to be made following the final School of Theatre on-campus audition. Any student not accepted into the Dance Sequence but already admitted to Illinois State University is eligible to re-audition for the Dance Sequence at a later date.