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Looking for Audition Information?
Find Information on all the upcoming auditions for Undergraduate and Graduate Programs here: Auditions and Interviews.
Undergraduate Admissions
The Department of Theatre and Dance offers undergraduate degree programs in Dance (Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts), Music Theatre (Bachelor of Fine Arts), and Theatre (Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts) with concentrations in Acting and Design/Technology. In addition to our Bachelor’s programs, Theatre and Dance also offers a Theatre Minor and a Dance Minor.
Acceptance into the department varies by program, with specific instructions below. All programs require academic acceptance into the university through UB Undergraduate Admissions. Current students wishing to transfer in must be in good academic standing with the university, and have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
- University Application: Submit an application to the University at Buffalo through our UB Undergraduate Admissions.
- Audition: Register for a departmental audition and submit all required materials and audition video via the registration form. Interested students can register for an audition online. Auditions should occur prior to matriculation at UB (typically in your Senior Year). Current students who wish to audition should speak to the Academic Manager regarding time to degree completion. Auditions for Acting are conducted on a rolling basis.
Students must be accepted both by the University via the online application and by the department via an audition.
Acceptance into the BA Dance Program at the University at Buffalo requires both an application to the University at Buffalo through UB Undergraduate Admissions and a Dance Program Audition. We encourage you to complete your application to the University at the same time as you register for your Dance audition.
Although you must be admitted into the university in order to be admitted to the Dance Program, you do not have to wait to be accepted into the University in order to audition. We welcome you to audition at your convenience.
An audition is required for our BA and BFA Dance degree programs. Prospective students are encouraged to audition prior to matriculation at UB. Current UB students who audition for the dance major should contact the Theatre and Dance Academic Manager to discuss their degree completion timetable. Students who have successfully completed their first year of study as a Dance BA can then audition for the Dance BFA at the start of their second year. Transfer students can apply to the BFA program during their first year if they have completed a full year at another dance institution. UB does not offer a dance minor.
* UB students who are non-dance majors wishing to take dance technique courses should see the course schedule for dance courses listed as “open”.
See the below audition link for details on the audition process and application materials to be submitted.
Students must be accepted both by the University via the online application and by the department via an audition.
- University Application: Submit an application to the University at Buffalo through UB Undergraduate Admissions.
- Dance Audition: please prepare the following information before registering for auditions:
- Contact information
- Dance Resume that includes your training history, the names of the teachers you’ve studied with, and the names and emails of two dance references.
- Career Goal Statement: 1-page essay about why you want to major in dance, why you are considering UB and your long-term goals in the field of dance.
- Audition fee $30.*
*Prospective students who receive a fee waiver for the university application process are exempt.
- University Application: Submit an application to the University at Buffalo through UB Undergraduate Admissions.
- Portfolio Interview: Submit a portfolio for review and sign up for a departmental interview (click blue button below), or contact Professor Catherine Norgren at norgren@buffalo.edu.
Students must be accepted both by the University via the online application and by the department via an interview.
- University Application: Submit an application to the University at Buffalo through UB Undergraduate Admissions.
There is no audition required for admission to the Theatre BA. Please apply directly to UB via the Admissions page.
Students interested in pursuing a Minor in Dance at UB must be a matriculated UB Undergraduate student.
Submit the CAS Major/Minor Change Request form to request one of the following changes to your academic plan:
- Add a major, minor, or certificate in the College of Arts and Sciences
- Drop any major
- Drop any minor
Students interested in pursuing a Minor in Theatre at UB must be a matriculated UB Undergraduate student.
Submit the CAS Major/Minor Change Request form to request one of the following changes to your academic plan:
- Add a major, minor, or certificate in the College of Arts and Sciences
- Drop any major
- Drop any minor
Recommended Timeline for BA and BFA Majors
Fall of High School Senior Year (or semester prior to transferring): Register for Departmental Audition or Interview.
By December 31 (for fall applicants): Submit a UB application to UB Undergraduate Admissions. A completed application includes all test scores, transcripts, etc.
March: Students will be notified by the Department of their audition or interview results.
By May 1: Notify the University and the Department of your decision.
Students should audition prior to their matriculation at the University at Buffalo. Please do not wait to be accepted by the university before auditioning. Students must be accepted both academically by the Office of Admissions and departmentally by an audition or interview in order to join the Dance Program, the Music Theatre program, or the Theatre BFA programs.
(Prospective minors should reference the Declaration information above.)
For Undergraduate Program questions contact:
Graduate Admissions
The Department of Theatre and Dance offers the following graduate degrees: a Masters of Fine Art (MFA) in Dance, a Masters of Art (MA) in Theatre and Performance, and Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Theatre and Performance. All programs require submission of an online application; the MFA Dance program also requires an audition.
Application Deadlines
The deadlines are for full financial consideration. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis after these dates. All three programs admit students into the fall semester only.
MFA in Dance: November 15, 2026 (non-funded applications accepted on a rolling basis). The onsite auditions dates will available shortly.
PhD in Theatre and Performance: December 1, 2026.
MA in Theatre and Performance: February 1, 2027.
Prerequisites
Applicants to the Master’s program must have a conferred undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants to the PhD program must have a conferred undergraduate with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and Master’s level degree.
How to Apply: MA or PhD in Theatre and Performance
Prospective students must complete and submit an online application for the MA or PhD in Theatre and Performance program.
Applications must include:
- Personal Statement (1-2-page statement outlining your professional goals and research interests)
- Unofficial academic transcripts (official transcripts must be submitted upon acceptance)
- Academic Writing Sample
- Portfolio of Creative Activities (please upload a personal website URL or a PDF of your portfolio materials. If the website does not provide information such as the date, title, medium etc. please upload a document that provides this information)
- Current CV or Resume
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Current GRE Scores (Optional for PhD, not required for MA)
- PhD applicants interested in being considered for a Schomburg Fellowship must submit a statement of intent upon completion of the application.
Non-refundable application fee: $75
After you submit your UB graduate application, you’ll be prompted to make your payment online by credit card or ACH through Nelnet.
U.S. citizens or current permanent residents may request a fee waiver through the application portal after completing the graduate application and uploading all required materials.
How to Apply: MFA in Dance
Prospective students must complete and submit an online application for the MFA Dance program.
Applications must include:
- Personal Statement (1-2-page statement outlining your professional goals and research interests)
- Unofficial academic transcripts (official transcripts must be submitted upon acceptance)
- Academic Writing Sample
- Portfolio of original choreography samples (please provide a document with descriptions of the works and URL links with start and end points indicated. No more than 10 minutes will be reviewed).
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your creative work as a performer, choreographer, or student.
- Current CV or Resume
Non-refundable application fee: $75
After you submit your UB graduate application, you’ll be prompted to make your payment online by credit card or ACH through Nelnet.
U.S. citizens or current permanent residents may request a fee waiver through the application portal after completing the graduate application and uploading all required materials.
MFA Dance Auditions
An audition is required in addition to the online application for acceptance into the program. Auditions are held IN PERSON at the Center for the Arts, University at Buffalo, North Campus. Applicants may also request a virtual audition.
- Online application and audition registration form must be received prior to audition.
Testing Information
*GRE scores are optional for applicants to the PhD in Theatre and Performance.
All programs require international students to submit TOEFL scores (or equivalent tests) that meet the university minimum for acceptance.
Language Requirements
The PhD in Theatre and Performance requires language proficiency that can be satisfied during study at UB.
Teaching Assistantships and Awards
Teaching Assistantships (TAs) are available for applicants to the MFA and PhD Programs.
PhD applicants are automatically considered for a Teaching Assistantship with the submission of a program application.
MFA applicants must submit the following additional information with their program application by the published deadline for consideration of an assistantship:
- A list of teaching experience (ages, dates, styles, locations)
- A list of arts administration or production experience (locations, duties)
- An additional essay detailing your teaching philosophy and reasons for seeking a teaching assistantship. Please include your teaching influences and how an assistantship would fit with your career goals.
Qualified applicants will be invited to audition for an available MFA Teaching Assistantship. All TA applicants are required to attend an on-campus audition, or submit a digital audition if permitted by the Director of Graduate Dance.
Departmental awards are available for graduate students through the Steig Olson Fund. Applicants will be considered for funding as part of the admission review process. No additional forms are necessary.
