Students must audition to be accepted into the Theater BFA, Dance BA, or Dance BFA programs. Auditions are not required for the Theater BA program.
Theater BFA auditions are usually scheduled in May and September.
Prospective and incoming freshman are not eligible to audition for the Theater BFA program. All non-transfer Theater majors will participate in the Theater BA program for the first year. Non-transfer students may audition for the Theater BFA program at the end of freshman year. Non-transfer students begin the Theater BFA program sophomore year and study for 3 years. For example, a freshman that starts Fall 2023, will audition Spring 2024, and begin the program Fall 2024.
Prospective and incoming transfer students are eligible to audition for the Theater BFA program prior to the first year of study. Transfer students may attend the May and/or September audition preceding their expected start quarter. For example, a transfer student expecting to start Fall 2023 would attend the May or September 2023 audition. The Theater BFA program requires 3 years of study; transfer students should plan accordingly. The September audition is scheduled a few days before classes begin. Students who audition in September should be prepared to adjust their Fall schedule. Acceptance to the major is dependent upon acceptance to the university.
Dance BFA and BA auditions are usually scheduled in January, February and September
Prospective and continuing students interested in the Dance program must audition in January 2024, February 2024, or September 2024 for admission to the program in Fall 2024. To be considered for admission into the dance program, students must have DANCE as a major listed in their UC application (either s the first choice major or alternate major), and intend to fully participate for at least one year on campus. If you have already applied and need to change your major to dance in your UC application, please email the Office of Admissions at ADMISSIONS@SA.UCSB.EDU. Please include your full name and either your UC application ID number or UCSB perm number.
IN-PERSON AUDITIONS
Students are strongly advised to attend the January or February audition, to determine qualification for the major and reserve a place in the program – only a limited number of students can be accommodated each year as first year students in the Dance Program. The September audition is held for students unable to attend earlier auditions; September auditions are only open to continuing students or students that have been accepted to the University and are already planning to attend in the fall in which the audition is scheduled. The September audition is held a few days before classes begin. Students who audition in September should be prepared to adjust their fall schedule. The audition includes technique classes in modern and ballet and guided improvisation.
Here are the steps you will follow for In-Person auditions
1. Apply to the University (at UCSB): Receiving Applications Nov. 1st-30th HTTPS://ADMISSIONS.SA.UCSB.EDU/HOW-TO-APPLY
2. Register for your UCSB Dance In-Person Audition
3. Attend the In-Person audition day and time you signed up for.
VIDEO AUDITONS
We strongly encourage in-person auditions but we realize some of you have exceptional circumstances and will need to audition by video. With careful preparation your video can offer deep insight into your work and be just as powerful as an in-person audition. Below, you will find detailed information on how to prepare, package and send your video materials to the Theater/Dance Department. The window for submission of these materials is: November 29, 2023 through January 5, 2024
Here are the steps you will follow for Video auditions
1. Apply to the University (at UCSB): Receiving Applications Nov. 1st-30th HTTPS://ADMISSIONS.SA.UCSB.EDU/HOW-TO-APPLY
2. Register HERE for your UCSB Dance Video Audition
3. Please learn Ballet and Modern combinations from the following VIDEO AUDITION TUTORIALS 3 videos), and then record yourself performing this material for submission.
4. Prepare all required videos and edit into ONE file.
5. Send your video link to this secure email address UCSBDANCEAUDITION2023@GMAIL.COM
Format for Video Audition
Video Should be 8 minutes in length (8 to 12 mins. for Transfer Applicants)
Self-Introduction:
Please introduce yourself (name and pronouns), and briefly discuss what inspires you about dance and what interests you about UCSB.
Recorded Technical Material / Combinations:
1. Ballet Adagio - 90 seconds (Freshman and Transfer applicants)
2. Ballet Allegro - 90 seconds (Freshman and Transfer applicants)
3. Modern Center Exercise - 120 seconds (Freshman and Transfer applicants)
4. Freshman Applicant Choice – Open Improvisation, or a selection of choreography 120 seconds (improvisation and choreography must me your original work, not someone else’s choreography). Recorded in a studio or alternate space; please do not submit a group dance that was previously recorded.
5. Transfer Applicant Required – 2-5minute solo, either your own original choreography or improvisation. (Freshman applicants should not include this)
Information on formatting, submission and the preparation of files for our review:
- Record all video in a horizontal/landscape orientation. (This is particularly important if you are shooting with a phone camera)
- Make sure the light source is coming from the front and/or side, and that you are not backlit.
- Avoid filming with a mirror as a background. A clear, un-cluttered wall or background is helpful.
Please upload and provide a link to ONE video file (edited together) to Vimeo or YouTube (both can be unlisted or password protected for your privacy).
**Please do not submit videos uploaded to Google Drive.
If you have difficulty with editing or do not have the equipment or software to do so, please contact the dance faculty at UCSBDANCEAUDITION2023@GMAIL.COM for alternative arrangements.
Audition Schedule
Dance audition dates for admittance to the major during the 2025-2026 Academic Year:
In-person dance auditions will be held on Saturday, January 18th, and Sunday, February 2nd.
The registration link for January 18th can be found HERE.
The registration link for February 2nd can be found HERE.
Off-Site auditions will be in San Diego on Sunday, January 26th, and in San Francisco on Saturday, February 8th. Studio locations TBA.
The registration link for the San Diego audition can be found HERE.
The registration link for the San Francisco audition can be found HERE.
Video audition submission deadline is Wednesday, January 15th.
The registration link for the video audition can be found HERE.
Instructional videos for choreography to be learned for video audition will be available HERE by mid-December.
THEATER BFA Audition Dates for the 2024-2025 Academic Year:
Auditions for the BFA in Acting program2024-25 academic year are currently closed.
The audition will consist of the presentation of two prepared, fully memorized contrasting monologues chosen from a contemporary play within the actor's own age range. The time limit for both monologues is three minutes, i.e., about 90 seconds each.
Please be prepared to stay until 5pm, though auditions may finish earlier.
Please note: All acting students are required to submit the following:
- A written 200 word statement as to why you want to be part of the UCSB Theater and Dance Department BFA in Acting program.
- An acting resume, or list of your theater related activities.
- A headshot, or any picture that shows your face. May be from a cellphone.
- At least one letter of recommendation from someone familiar with your acting.
Please submit to sposh@ucsb.edu no later than Friday, September 20th.
For further details please, email Sean O'Shea, Academic Advisor, at sposh@ucsb.edu.
The Theater Audition
Auditions for acceptance into B.F.A. Theater Program for Fall Quarter will take place during late Spring Quarter and again just before the beginning of classes in Fall Quarter.
For all students, please prepare two contrasting contemporary monologues totaling no more than three minutes. Please bring a resume of past theatrical experience including acting, voice, movement classes, and performance experience (indicate when and where). Transfer students, in addition to this, please bring two letters of recommendation.,
All students must register for the audition and review the Theater BFA Handbook. The program is highly structured and has been carefully organized to offer the serious acting student the opportunity to recieve quality training.
Transfer students should be aware that auditions for the Theater program and applying to the University are seperate processes. Students should contact the Office of Admissions for more information about University application materials and deadlines. Acceptance by audition to the Theater program does not guarentee acceptance to the University. Students must meet the Office of Admissions requirements for University acceptance consideration.
If you have questions concerning the above details please contact Sean O’Shea, Academic Advisor sposh@ucsb.edu for assistance.