Students dance onstage during Mainstage 2019

Audition applications

Dance in the School of Creative and Performing Arts

Complete UCalgary application

If you have not yet done so, please visit the Admissions website to submit your UCalgary application for admission.

Audition info

The BA/BFA Dance program requires either an in-person OR a video audition, which you will select in the UCalgary application. In-person auditions are preferred, but you may select ‘video audition’ if your home address is more than 300 km away from the University of Calgary. If you selected ‘video submission’ in your application, an Audition To-Do list item will generate in your Student Centre within 24-48 hours after you submit your application for admission. Your video submission should be uploaded to your To-Do list as a Word or PDF document that includes the appropriate video link.

Complete before deadline

Your UCalgary application is due March 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. If you have selected an in-person audition, you will be notified of the audition schedule after the deadline. Please note that the in-person auditions will take place on March 13, 2026. Please set aside the full day for the audition process.

If you apply to the BA/BFA Dance degree program you must complete your UCalgary application for admission by March 1, 2026.
If you selected an ‘in-person audition’ in your admission application, you will be notified with the date and time of your audition after the deadline.
If you live more than 300 km away and selected a ‘video submission’ in your admission application, an Audition To-Do list item will generate in your Student Centre within 24-48 hours after you submit your application for admission. Your video submission should be uploaded in your To-Do list as a Word or PDF document that includes the appropriate video link. For more information please see the Video Audition Information Sheet (or link) below.
Any audition materials received after the deadline will not be considered.
Reference letters are not used in the audition process and will not be considered.
Transcripts must be sent directly from the applicant's institution to the UCalgary Admissions Office.

Auditions

After submitting an admission application to the University of Calgary Admissions Office, all applicants will be expected to audition in-person (preferred) or by online video submission (if home address is more than 300 km away).
In-person and video auditions are reviewed by the BA/BFA Dance Committee.
If you have chosen a video submission, an Audition To-Do list item will generate in your Student Centre within 24-48 hours after you submit your application for admission. Your video submission should be uploaded in your To-Do list as a Word or PDF document that includes the appropriate video link. If you have selected an in-person audition, you will be notified of the audition schedule after the deadline.
During the audition, applicants will be required to participate in dance classes, written assignments and improvisation. If you are attending the live in-person audition, there is no need to prepare any choreography ahead of time as all dance material will be generated during the audition itself.

Clothing requirements for auditions

Please wear close-fitting clothes that are easy to move in to allow the jury to see full body movement; please avoid excessively baggy clothing.
Footwear is barefoot, soft jazz shoes/moccasins or socks.
Hair should be tied back, and jewelry should be removed.

Level of expertise

BA and BFA Dance majors at the University of Calgary are placed appropriately in technique classes upon entrance.

In-Person Auditions

Dance Audition Dates: For the audition, we ask that applicants make themselves available on March 13, 2026. The tentative schedule is as follows: March 13, 2026 9am-4pm auditions, followed by a Meet & Greet reception. Parents are invited to come in for questions between 3-4pm. Prospective students will be offered tickets to attend the Mainstage Dance performance that evening if they wish to experience the program. All audition applicants may depart by 4pm on March 13, 2026.

Friday March 13, 2026

Questions?

Dance Audition Dates: March 13, 2026

Friday March 13, 2026

Applicants may submit a video audition if they need to travel for more than 300 km. In-person auditions are preferred in order to offer students an on-campus experience.

The material on the audition video should be recent and not exceed 12 minutes in length.

If you are a UCalgary student applying for a Change of Program into the Dance program(s), please complete the following two steps:

1. For current Change of Program students, submit your application through your Student Centre following the instructions here

2. For current Change of Program students, submit your audition application form here

Q. When is the application deadline for the Dance program?

A. The deadline to submit your application will be reflected in your online Student Centre after you apply for admission. All admission dates and deadlines are noted in the link.

Q. What experience level is required for entrance into the Dance BA/BFA program?

We welcome people at many levels; we just ensure that you are appropriately placed for your level when you arrive in technique classes.

Q. What is the difference between the BA and BFA in Dance?

The BA is intended for people who have a love for Dance and may think about combining Dance with other skills/activities. These students may be dancers after graduating, but may also be in arts administration, arts production, health services, dance education, community development and/or other areas. Students in the BFA program are typically interested in being artists - choreographers or dancers - or who want in-depth training in the creative process.