Auditions and Portfolio Reviews

Here is a checklist of materials you need to prepare to submit to the audition application form:

• Resumé
• Personal Dance Major Narrative Questions
  • Share any significant dance experiences or training you’d like to highlight or makes sure we are aware of.
  • Why do you want to study dance in college? Do you have career goals yet?
  • How did you hear about the USM Dance Program?
• Essay: Select one of the questions below for your one-page essay (If auditioning for a scholarship) :
  • What is the most meaningful dance experience you have had thus far in your training and why? How did/does this experience shape your future goals?
  • What has dance taught you about yourself? How does what you have learned as a dancer inform your life and vice versa?
• Name and contact information for a reference, or upload a .pdf of an existing letter of recommendation (if applying for a scholarship).
• In-person or online video audition   

The USM Dance in-person audition includes the following:

• Attending our High School Dance Day events including taking a modern, ballet, and jazz class.
• Participating in a short creative task (you do not need to prepare anything for this)
• Perform a 1-minute solo in a style of your choice
  • this may be self-choreographed or choreographed by another
  • please be prepared with your own music available on your phone or other device that is compatible with a line-in aux cable 
• Small-group interview/Q & A

Please submit either a video file or YouTube link to your completed video audition submission. In your video, please include the following:

Introduction: Let’s get to know you! Look at the camera and state the following information to begin your audition video:

• Name
• Where you are from
• Your goals as a dance major
• Why you would like to attend The University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Performing and Visual Arts to major in dance

Dance Performance: This section may include combinations from dance classes, a performed dance piece, improvised movement, etc. Movement can be in any dance style, a variety of dance styles, and be self or instructor choreographed (or a combination of both).

Length: Please note that the video should not exceed ten minutes in length. Please include at least 5 minutes of you dancing.

Attire: Applicants should wear well-fitted dance attire where the body is fully visible.

Deadline: Priority consideration before March 1, 2024. Scholarship consideration before May 1, 2024. All videos must be received no later than August, 2024.

Format: Your audition video may be submitted via video form by either uploading an MP4 file or a YouTube link. 

Recording details: Your video should be taped in a studio or theatre if possible, or at least a large enough space to showcase your technique and artistry. Please ensure your video content is well-lit and in-focus for consideration.

Thank you for following the instructions above. This will assist us in evaluating everyone on similar work and make the video audition close to what students are asked to do during the in‐person auditions. We can’t wait to review your submission!