Theatre or Dance Admission and Auditions

If you are interested in becoming a Theatre Arts or Dance major, you must first apply and be accepted to Southern Utah University. Applications for admission to SUU are available through the Admissions Office. Once admitted to the University certain degree programs may have additional requirements, these requirements are listed below by degree.

*Note for Face-to-Face Auditions:  Please monitor CDC Guidelines for up-to-date COVID-19 information.

BA/BS Theatre Arts or Theatre Arts Education

At this time students interested in pursuing either the BA or BS in Theatre Arts or Theatre Arts Education are not required to audition to join the program. Students should simply declare their desired program when applying to the university.

BA/BS Dance or Dance Education

The Dance Program is committed to students’ health and wellbeing, as well as their artistic and personal development. Therefore, incoming students will complete a placement audition to adequately begin their progression of dance techniques.
Interested High School Seniors or Transfer students will complete a placement audition and optional scholarship interview in any of the following ways:

 

  1. Face-to-face* in Cedar City at  SUU Day of Dance,  Saturday. December 7th, 2024.
    Location: Southern Utah University   Multipurpose Center  Room 116.
    Time: 8:30 – 12:30 pm
  2. Video Submission, to be submitted by 11:59pm on Friday, January 10th, 2025 - see instructions below.

*If participating in a live event, please complete the audition form and liability form prior to arrival at said event.

1. Face-to-Face Audition/SUU Day of Dance Instructions:

Prospective students joining us face-to-face for SUU Day of Dance can complete technique level placement and scholarship interviews during the event. This event is free for all participants. Check-in will start at 8:30am with the placement audition classes beginning at 9 am. Please be sure to register in advance via the audition form and liability form links.  Students will come prepared with lunch and a water bottle, as well as plan to work barefoot, and in ballet shoes and jazz shoes (socks are permitted as an alternative).

Event activities will include:

  • Jazz Dance, Ballet, and Modern Dance classes taught by SUU Dance Faculty (technique level placement will take place during these classes)
  • Brief, individual interview of scholarship applicants with Dance Faculty
  • Group Q&A with students and faculty
  • Complimentary attendance to a matinée performance of TDAA's Sweet Charity mainstage performance at the Randall Jones Theater, 2:00 pm, December 7, 2024.
2. Video Audition Instructions:

  1. Review the dance combinations provided via the SUU Dance tutorial link within the audition form.
  2. Video 1 - record yourself demonstrating each of these combinations from the SUU Dance tutorial link (using the provided Spotify soundtrack sound if you would like, not required)
  3. Video 2 - record yourself answering the SUU Dance prospective student questions listed at the end of the form.
  4. Submit your general information, headshot image, demonstration video, and prospective student questions video via this form by 11:59pm on Friday,  January 10th, 2025.

*Please note:

  • Upload videos to Google Drive or Vimeo and submit the link to each video submission or a folder of all. If using google drive, be sure that "anyone with the link can view" in your share settings. If using Vimeo, please share a password for any private links.
  • Faculty are off contract between May 15th and August 15th 2025. If video auditions are submitted for placement only during this time, expect delay in notification.

Please contact Ann Oberhelman at  435-586-7746 or  annoberhelman@suu.edu if you have questions.

 

BFA Theatre Arts

Students interested in pursuing any of the BFA Theatre Arts emphasis are required to audition. While the department prefers in-person interviews, video submissions are also allowed. To maintain integrity and student focus within the degree, each emphasis will only admit a certain number of students each year. The department has chosen to use Acceptd as a means of organizing audition information and to host video submissions, there is also an audition fee which you will pay when you register through Acceptd. All students applying for admission to the BFA program are automatically considered for department scholarships, a separate audition is not required.

Please note: The following is for incoming freshmen only and is  not for students currently enrolled and actively taking courses at SUU. BFA Auditions for current students will take place during the March season audition period.

Audition Dates:

  • BFA Auditions will be virtual over Zoom and In-Person for 2024-2025

  • Once you have submitted your ACCEPTD application you will receive a link to schedule your Zoom audition time.
Auditions dates for 2025 are:
 
Zoom Auditions/Interviews
February 22, 2025
 
In-person Audition/Interview
February 15, 2025

in the SUU Auditorium with check-in starting at 9:30am

Online Only Audition
Due February 22, 2025
 

BFA in Musical Theatre Requirements:

  • Acceptd Application 
  • One (1) Page Statement of Purpose
  • Desired Audition Date and Time or Online Audition
  • Admission to Southern Utah University
  • Headshot
  • One (1) Shakespeare VERSE monologue- no more than one (1) minute
  • One (1) 32-Bar cut of a Musical Theatre song that shows your range- no more than one (1) minute
  • One (1) Contemporary monologue- no more than one (1) minute

  • With your audition time link you will also receive a link to submit your dance video

Each applicant will need to upload thee dance videos as part of the application process. A fourth video is optional. A tutorial video is available for showing the choreography on what to include on each video. A playlist of the music is also available.

  • Ballet- Required
  • Battements and Pirouettes - Required
  • Combination - Required
  • Tap (Optional)

BFA in Acting Requirements:

  • Acceptd Application 
  • Resume
  • One (1) Page Statement of Purpose
  • Desired Audition Date and Time or Online Audition
  • Admission to Southern Utah University
  • Headshot
  • One (1) Shakespeare VERSE monologue- no more than one (1) minute
  • One (1) Contemporary monologue- no more than one (1) minute

BFA in Theatre Design and Technology Requirements:

  • Acceptd Application
  • Resume
  • One (1) Page Statement of Purpose
  • Desired Audition Date and Time or Online Audition
  • Admission to Southern Utah University
  • Headshot
  • One (1) portfolio of your work showing between 3-5 projects that showcase your abilities and talents

Additional Information and Resources

Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose required for the degree is a short, two to three paragraph, document that describes yourself, hobbies, interests as well as strengths and weaknesses both within and outside of theatre, career aspirations, why you want to pursue a BFA degree in theatre, and, if you have a reason, why SUU. Please make the document honest, do not try to write something you think we want to hear. We want an honest assessment of where you see yourself and your place so we can make sure we select the best people for the training we offer here.

University Application Requirements

You are required to apply and be accepted to the university in addition to the Theatre Arts BFA program. We recommend you apply through Acceptd as soon as possible after receiving acceptance from the university. In order for us to confirm your audition date and time you need have at least applied to the university.

Declare your major as BS or BA Theatre Arts when you apply to the university.

Applications for admission to SUU are available through the Admissions Office.

Audition Deadlines:

ACCEPTD application deadline: one week before audition

Live Audition Dates:

February 15, 2025 - Southern Utah University (Cedar City, UT)  SUU Auditorium
 

Live Audition Format:

Performance BFA candidates will schedule an audition date through the Acceptd application, the department will contact you after you apply to schedule a time. After each individual audition time there will be a short interview session. After all students have had their private audition there will be a one hour masterclass and movement group class, please bring clothes to move in.

Design and Technical BFA candidates will schedule an interview date through the Acceptd application, the department will contact you about an interview time. During the interview you will meet with the faculty to discuss your portfolio, goals and the program in general, interviews typically last one half hour.

Video Audition Format:

If you cannot attend a live audition you may upload audition material through the Acceptd application website. State your name and pieces you are performing at the beginning of your first uploaded monologue. Record each audition piece individually and label them as “mono1,” “mono2,” and “song” (if required). Record your video in a way that we can see your face clearly, but also so we can see your physical interpretation of your monologue or song. Waist up is typically best.

  1. Song Tips
    • Do not sing a cappella. Use tracks or live accompanist.
    • Sing something that best shows your talent and range.
  2. Monologue Tips
    • Do not use props, sets, dialect, or costumes.
    • Make sure the piece is age appropriate.

Acceptd Application:

Get started with your Acceptd Application. Please email tdaatheatre@suu.edu with any questions.