Major code BF5154

College of Fine Arts  
School of Dance  
Putnam Hall 137
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.1828
Fax: 740.593.0749
dance@ohio.edu

Travis Gatling, contact person
gatling@ohio.edu

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) curriculum provides a foundation on which to build a career as a performer, choreographer or teacher. Core curriculum in dance emphasizes developing performance skills through the study of technique, and fostering creative abilities through the study of choreography. Other major coursework provides a broad knowledge in dance history, ethnology, kinesiology, music and the teaching of dance.

The School of Dance is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance. Entrance and graduation requirements are in compliance with standards set by the Association.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

In addition to general admission requirements to Ohio University, the Dance program requires a dance application and dance audition. Acceptance to the Dance major or minor program in choreography and performance is by talent audition. Auditions are scheduled to coordinate with various University application deadlines.

The audition class includes modern, ballet, and jazz portions, and improvisation. Each of these provides the dancer with an opportunity to demonstrate his or her talent, level of training, and aptitude for further study in dance. Auditionees are not expected to demonstrate proficiency in all techniques. The audition committee evaluates technical proficiency, physical strength and flexibility, spatial and rhythmic accuracy, and performance quality. Dancers should be prepared to take class in dance wear that allows freedom of movement. You will need to dance barefoot for the modern portion of the audition class and may bring ballet slippers or jazz shoes to wear for the ballet and jazz portions of class.

Although attending a scheduled audition is the best possible means of representing your talent, if you are unable to attend, please call our office at 740.593.1828 to discuss the possibility of other arrangements.

Change of Program Policy

Admission to the dance major or minor is by audition and application.  To apply for the dance major, students should fill out the online form “College of Fine Arts Application for Update of Academic Program”: https://ohio.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_25DjACpmC4WKV7v

External Transfer Admission

In addition to University admission requirements, transfer students must complete a dance application and dance audition for consideration of admission to the School of Dance. Transfer students should contact our office at 740.593.1828 to discuss the audition class.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

Approximately 70% of our graduates continue in the field of dance and related arts. Career opportunities available to the dance graduate include preparation and/or studies leading to the following:

• Choreographer for concert, theater, video, film, fashion, or public events;
• Dancer in companies or theatrical productions;
• Company manager or arts administrator;
• Studio teacher of children and adults in modern, ballet, jazz, African technique; teaching in university programs, K-12 programs;
• Body-based therapeutic work such as Pilates, Bartenieff Fundamentals, massage therapy, physical therapy, exercise physiology, dance movement therapist;
• Dance critic or dance-related cultural historian, writing in dance;
• Graduate study in dance

Requirements