To register for an audition, email Dr. Fen Kennedy (they/them) at fkennedy@ua.edu to confirm either your attendance at the Spring audition or to propose dates for a campus visit and audition prior to that date. They will then communicate with you about the specific schedule for the audition days, offer help with your graduate application, and share other expectations regarding the audition process. Prospective students will participate in movement and lecture courses, meet other graduate students, and interview with faculty. Candidates should come prepared to discuss their proposed research topic, and how their work to date has prepared them for graduate study. It is best to contact Fen well before the audition date, as your materials/application to the graduate school must be submitted by the deadlines listed below. This allows the faculty time to review your materials before your on-campus visit.

Prospective students must register for the Spring auditions by February 9, 2025. Applicants to the UA graduate school should be completed by January 31, 2025 to allow time for materials to process.

Admission Criteria and Process

Prospective students apply through The University of Alabama’s Graduate School.

Acceptance into the Department of Theatre and Dance (MFA) program requires the fulfillment of both general criteria established by the UA Graduate School as well as particular criteria established by the department.

GRE scores are not required.

Department Criteria

Statement of Purpose

Candidates will compose a two to three page, double-spaced artist/research statement explaining their interest in pursuing an MFA degree within the UA program. The essay should situate candidates within the field at the present time, gathering significant details of candidates’ previous experiences, clarifying current involvement and interest in dance, discussing creative influences, sharing their studio practice and research process, and speculating about the candidates’ future intentions within the field. Reviewers are interested in getting to know something about the candidates as dance professionals through this writing, but applicants should also demonstrate their ability to handle language with fluency.

Curriculum Vitae

This document should accurately reflect candidates’ completed educational background and all of their professional and related experiences to date. The document should be thorough and comprehensive.

Work Samples

Candidates will list Vimeo, YouTube or similar resources as hyperlinks in a Word or PDF attachment. These samples should demonstrate candidates’ expertise and interests, such as excerpts of choreography, documentation of performances, samples of dance notation or evidence of restaging dance works, or dance media projects.

Writing Sample

The dance faculty will review writing samples to determine applicants’ potential research and creative interests and to assess their competency as writers. Candidates will submit a substantive piece of writing, one that demonstrates their thoughtfulness and capacity to handle language with fluency. This writing submission must be at least four pages double-spaced but no more than 20 pages; this might take the form of a critical review, process paper, or scholarly essay.

Letters of Recommendation

At least three (3) letters of recommendation must be submitted. Letters should speak to candidates’ artistic and academic strengths. At least two letters should be from someone at an academic institution (past or present) who can speak to these strengths, even if previous academic work was not in dance.

Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts will be required to apply. Official transcripts from prior institutions will be required after admission/acceptance.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate Assistantships are available for the 2025-2026 year. For more info about graduate funding, please email Fen Kennedy at fkennedy@ua.edu.

More Information