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 Performance and Design and Technology. In addition to our Bachelor’s programs, Theatre and Dance also offers a Theatre Minor; we do not offer a Dance minor. 

Acceptance into the department varies by program, with specific instructions below. All programs require academic acceptance into the university through the Office of Admissions. Current students wishing to transfer in must be in good academic standing with the university, and have a minimum GPA of 2.5. 

How to Apply to BA or BFA in Dance

  1. University Application: Submit an application to the University at Buffalo through our Office of Admissions. 
  2. Audition: Attend a departmental audition. 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.

    Students must be accepted both by the University via the online application and by the department via an audition. 

  3. BFA Program: Students who are accepted by audition enter the BA Dance program. Students who successfully complete their first year in the BA Dance program can audition for the BFA Dance program at the start of their second year. 

How to Apply to BFA in Music Theatre or BFA in Theatre Performance

  1. University Application: Submit an application to the University at Buffalo through our Office of Admissions. 
  2. Audition: Attend a departmental audition. 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.

    Students must be accepted both by the University via the online application and by the department via an audition. 

How to Apply to BFA in Theatre Design and Technology

  1. University Application: Submit an application to the University at Buffalo through our Office of Admissions. 
  2. Portfolio Interview: Submit a portfolio for review and sign up for a departmental interview. Interested students can register online for an interview 

    Students must be accepted both by the University via the online application and by the department via an audition. 

How to Apply to BA in Theatre or Minor in Theatre

  1. Incoming students should submit an application to the University at Buffalo through our Office of Admissions. 
  2. Current students interested in switching to a Theatre BA or adding a Theatre minor should email the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Lindsay Hunter, at lhunter@buffalo.edu.

Recommended Timeline

Fall of Senior Year (or semester prior to transferring): Register for Departmental Audition or Interview.

By December 31st (for fall applicants): Submit a UB application to the Admissions Office. 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 1st: 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. 

Contact

Rachel Macklin Olszewski

280A Alumni Arena

Phone: (716) 645-6076

rachelol@buffalo.edu

Graduate Programs Assistant
Department of Theatre and Dance
College of Arts and Sciences
Call Rachel Macklin Olszewski Email Rachel Macklin Olszewski

280A Alumni Arena

Phone: (716) 645-6076

rachelol@buffalo.edu