Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance Program Requirements

Fall 2009

Program in Dance
(BFA, MFA)

Approximately 10 audition events are held each year from October through February. Auditions and interviews are held on the CalArts campus and in select U.S. cities. The audition schedule is posted on our web site; it is also made available to performing arts schools nationally and publicized in Dance Magazine.

BFA applicants

A live audition is required of applicants to the BFA Program in Dance. The audition will consist of a contemporary dance technique class in which some ballet technique may be included. There is also a creative component to the audition.  Individual solos are not required. Audition attire should consist of form fitting dance clothes, preferably tights and leotards for women, t-shirts and tights for men. There is no clothing color requirement for the audition. Applicants are encouraged but are not required to send a DVD portfolio of performance and/or choreographic work.

Applicants to the BFA Program in Dance who are not able to schedule a live audition may submit examples of their work on DVD. Recorded auditions must include dance technique class work, improvisation and/or choreography.

Please complete and include the attached Portfolio Information Form with each portfolio submission. Address your portfolio to the Office of Admissions at CalArts using the attached printable Portfolio Mailing Label. Do not send your portfolio directly to The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance. Doing so will cause a delay in the review of your work.

BFA transfer applicants

A live audition is required for all BFA transfer applicants. See the audition guidelines for the BFA program above for information. Applicants will also attend an interview with faculty at the time of the audition. BFA transfer applicants wishing to be considered for advanced placement are also required to send a DVD with two different works, one choreographic work and one performance work.

Please complete and include the attached Portfolio Information Form with each portfolio submission. Address your portfolio to the Office of Admissions at CalArts using the attached printable Portfolio Mailing Label. Do not send your portfolio directly to The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance. Doing so will cause a delay in the review of your work.

MFA applicants

A live audition is required for all applicants to the MFA Program in Dance. See the audition guidelines for the BFA program above for information.

In addition applicants must provide the following materials:

• Two or three examples of group (concert) choreography and one solo work recorded on DVD. Other examples of creative work, such as site-specific, dance-video, etc., are also welcome.

• Three letters of recommendation.

• Professional résumé.

• Artist’s Statement: In addition to the Artist’s Statement required of all applicants to CalArts, MFA Dance applicants must also submit a separate statement addressing the following two questions:
1. Name one choreographer and one artist in another medium that you have been influenced by and why?
2. What do you see as the next step in your development as a choreographer?

Applicants who have passed the preliminary selection process will be notified by mail in mid-February, At that time, candidates will be invited to visit CalArts in March for an interview and to meet faculty and students.  The interview is a full-day event and an important component of the final selection process.

Please include a completed Portfolio Information Form with each mailed portfolio package. Address your portfolio to the Office of Admissions at CalArts using the attached printable Portfolio Mailing Label. Do not send your portfolio directly to The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance. Doing so will cause a delay in the review of your work.