Dancers on stage

Dance Auditions

Brenau Dance Audition Application

2026-2027 Audition Season Information

Auditions at Brenau

Auditions will take place at Brenau East Campus (1001 Chestnut St. Gainesville, GA 30501) on:

  • Sunday, Oct. 4th, 2026 Check-in at 8:30am and Auditions 9:00 am – 12:00am
  • Saturday, Feb. 20, 2027 Check-in at 9:30 a.m. Auditions 9:00 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Auditions at Conferences

You must be a registered participant at the following conference in order to audition:

  • Chicago National Association of Dance Masters – Chicago, IL – Friday, November 6, 2026
  • Alabama Dance Festival – Birmingham, AL – January 22, 2027
  • National High School Dance Festival – Pittsburgh, PA – March 6 – 10, 2027

Prior to attending the audition, all dancers will need to complete the Brenau Dance Audition Application. Please complete this form and complete as soon as you are able but no later than 3 days prior to the audition date.

Supporting Material: We welcome the submission of supporting documents, videos, or other media which may highlight your talents in dance, academics, or community engagement activities. Supporting materials could but are not limited to: video of your original choreography, variations or other solos you have danced within the last 2 years, letters of support recommendation, essays, resume, etc.

We will email all applicants a few days prior to the audition letting you know your interview time slot.

Brenau Dance Audition Application

What to Expect at the Audition?

  • Welcome
  • Improvisational warm-up
  • Ballet barre, Center work (Classical and Contemporary)
  • Pointe variation
  • Jazz phrase
  • Modern (Across the floor and phrase)
  • Interview with each auditionee with Dance Faculty

All prospective dance majors must audition to be considered as a dance major and for a scholarship. The audition will be used for faculty to place students in the appropriate technique class level, to advise students in their pursuit of a dance degree, and to assess students for the possibility of being awarded a talent-based scholarship. 

Those being considered for the scholarship will participate in a brief interview with faculty following the audition. Recipients of dance scholarships will receive a contract of expectations including the expectation to register for technique and repertoire classes every semester. Participation in faculty and guest choreography and/or as a company member of the Gainesville Ballet Company is required. Dance scholarships are part of the total aid package and will be announced by the Office of Financial Aid.

Auditions include a ballet technique class, modern dance and jazz dance center combinations, and an improvisation problem. An interview is part of the audition process. Interviews are held after the audition class. If the student is unable to attend any of the audition dates, it is possible to audition by video (email [email protected] for information). However, an audition in person is preferred.

The completed audition form with the submission of a full-body photo of the applicant in dance clothing in a dance pose and a headshot should be submitted prior to the audition. The photo is for the purpose of audition identification only; please do not use a performance picture in costume or make-up.

We strongly encourage you to visit the campus before making a final college decision. Schedule a tour to see the campus, visit with an Admissions Counselor, meet a dance faculty member, talk with a current dance major, and find a home for your next extraordinary experience! Contact an Admissions Counselor at [email protected] or call 770.534.6100 or 1.800.252.5119.

What to Wear

  • For all Dance Forms: Solid color leotard, pink or skin tone tights, footwear appropriate for form (ballet: pink or skin tone ballet slipper, jazz-jazz shoes; modern: barefoot or socks). Those intending to audition for the Gainesville Ballet and/or the Ballet Concentration should also bring pointe shoes.
  • Men: Form-fitting shirt without logos, black tights or leggings, black, white, or skin tone ballet slippers.
  • For jazz and modern: shorts or form-fitting pants may be worn
  • Hair should be in a low or high bun for women, or if the hair is too short, pulled back and out of the face. Hair should be completely secured using hairspray, hairpins, etc. No jewelry should be worn.

Video Audition Submission Guidelines

We also accept video submissions. Video auditions will be evaluated for artistic scholarship consideration. Students are expected to present a professional appearance. Loose clothing, sweatpants, skirts, and leg warmers are not permitted. Candidates will be notified via email within 2-4 weeks of their acceptance status.

Video submissions – The audition application must be submitted along with the video submission.

Video submissions should be framed as horizontal/landscape. All movement should be executed with the appropriate music. Your video audition will need to include the following:

  • Ballet Barre – pliés, tendus from 5th position, dégagés, rond de jambes, frappés, adagio and grand battements
  • Ballet Center – pirouettes, adagio and petit allegro
  • Jazz – a combination roughly one minute in length demonstrating turns, jumps and floor work
  • Modern – a combination roughly one minute in length demonstrating turns, jumps and floor work

Please email [email protected] with any questions!

Additional Audition and Scholarship Information

All prospective dance majors must audition to be considered as a dance major and for a scholarship. The audition will be used for faculty to place students in the appropriate technique class level, to advise students in their pursuit of a dance degree, and to assess students for the possibility of being awarded a talent-based scholarship. Those being considered for the scholarship will participate in a brief interview with faculty following the audition. Recipients of dance scholarships will receive a contract of expectations including the expectation to register for technique and repertoire classes every semester. Participation in faculty and guest choreography and/or as a company member of the Gainesville Ballet Company is required. Dance scholarships are part of the total aid package and will be announced by the Office of Financial Aid.

Auditions include a ballet technique class, modern dance and jazz dance center combinations, and an improvisation problem. An interview is part of the audition process. Interviews are held after the audition class. If the student is unable to attend any of the audition dates, it is possible to audition by video (email [email protected] for information). However, an audition in person is preferred.

The completed Brenau Dance Audition Application and a full-body photo of the applicant in dance clothing performing first arabesque should be submitted prior to the audition. The photo is for the purpose of audition identification only; please do not use a performance picture in costume or make-up.

We strongly encourage you to visit the campus before making a final college decision. Schedule a tour to see the campus, visit with an Admissions Counselor, meet a dance faculty member, talk with a current dance major, and find a home for your next extraordinary experience! Contact an Admissions Counselor at [email protected] or call 770.534.6100 or 1.800.252.5119.

For electronic submissions, please see the Video Submission Instructions document for more information.

Training for the Audition

Dancers should currently be training at least 10 hours per week for a minimum of three years and must have a working knowledge and understanding of the following principles:

  • Proper placement
  • Coordination and épaulement
  • Weight shifting
  • Adaptability
  • Musicality