Undergraduate Auditions

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for the CSULB Dance major.  After you have applied to CSULB via Cal State Apply website, the second step in becoming a dance major at CSULB is to take the CSULB Dance entrance audition.  CSULB Dance is seeking dynamic and distinctive movers and thinkers who are dedicated to the pursuit of a degree in dance. Preparation for admittance into our department comes in many forms: broad academic preparation, the continual study of numerous forms of dance (with emphasis on contemporary/modern dance, jazz, ballet, and hip hop), performance experience, and exposure to dance as a creative and expressive art form. While we look at a dancer’s technique and training during our dance auditions, we also look at the individual. We seek students who are dedicated to learning and open to new ways of exploring and studying dance.

As an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), CSULB Dance offers training in numerous levels. Preparatory levels include Introduction, Beginning, and Intermediate; Dance Major levels include Levels I, II, and III Technique.

Prospective dance majors for all of our degree paths participate in the audition process.

The admissions audition for the dance major consists of a completed audition application and an audition.

The application to transfer to CSULB in Spring of 2025 opens on August 1st and closes on August 31st. Please apply via Cal State Apply. Once you submit your application via Cal State Apply, please email dance@csulb.edu requesting the Department of Dance supplemental application and detailed audition instructions.

The Spring 2025 Transfer audition will be held at the Department of Dance on October 25th, 2024. The audition will consist of phrase work in jazz, modern-contemporary, ballet, and hip hop/street and club styles.

Following a short break after dance technique class, you will introduce and perform a 2-3 minute solo that you have choreographed in a dance style of your choice.

If you cannot attend the on-campus audition on October 25th, please email dance@csulb.edu and request that your full audition be via video. We will send you a link with full instructions. Video auditions will be due by Friday, October 18th at 5PM PT.

Please reach out to us if you have any questions — email dance@csulb.edu.

The application to apply for first-time/first-year and transfer students is currently open and closes on December 2nd for Fall 2025 admission. Please apply via Cal State Apply. 

Once you have submitted your application to the University, please email dance@csulb.edu and request our additional Audition Application. Please see the Audition FAQs tab below if you have questions regarding the Audition Application.

Auditions will be held for First-Time, First-Year students on Friday, February 21. The auditions begin at 9am and 1pm. Applicants should indicate their preferred audition time on the supplemental application.

Auditions will be held for Transfer students on Saturday, February 22, starting at 10am. The audition begins at 10am. Applicants should prepare a solo to perform in addition to participating in the audition class. 

We encourage applicants to attend our on-campus auditions. However, video auditions will also be accepted from applicants. If you wish to audition by video, please email dance@csulb.edu requesting video audition instructions after you have submitted your application to the University.

Please reach out to us if you have any questions — email dance@csulb.edu. 

If you are a current CSULB student who wants to become a dance major, please email dance@csulb.edu for instructions on how to audition.  Please make sure you include your student ID number and what semester you are auditioning for.

What do I need to do to audition for the Department of Dance at CSULB?

  • First, apply to CSULB via Cal State Apply during the application window, and indicate in your application that your preferred major is dance. When you have submitted your application to the University, please send an email to dance@csulb.edu requesting our additional Audition Application to fill out. Once you fill out your Audition Application, you will receive a confirmation within one business day from our audition coordinator confirming your audition date and time, providing directions and further audition instructions and expectations.

What is the Audition Application?

  • Our Supplemental/ Audition Application is a Microsoft form that details your experience in dance and your interest in our program.

What should I expect on audition day?

  • First-time/ first-year auditions consist of an audition class led and adjudicated by CSULB Dance Faculty with phrase work in Modern, Ballet, Jazz, and Street/Club dances. Applicants will choose two of the listed dance styles to audition in.
  • Transfer students will take the same audition class and then present a solo that you choreograph in a style of your choice. Please bring your music on a mobile device to connect with our stereo system.
  • There will be an opportunity to tour our facilities with current students and a Q&A for parents. We will also have a showing of current student's work that all prospective students are invited to attend.

What should I wear to my audition?

  • Please wear close-fitting dance clothes in solid colors that are comfortable for you to dance in and that allow the faculty to view the alignment of your body, your range of motion, and your creative expression. We want the opportunity to see who you are and your passion for dance. If you have longer hair, please make sure that your hair is pulled back from your face.

Can I audition via video?

  • While we strongly encourage students to audition in person, we will be accepting video auditions for Fall 2025 admission. If you would like to audition via video, please email dance@csulb.edu requesting the video audition instructions after you have completed your application to the University via Cal State Apply.

How many times can I audition for the CSULB Department of Dance?

  • Students may audition a maximum of two times for entrance into the dance major or dance minor degree programs. If you are not accepted into the program following the first audition, we strongly recommend that you study dance on a consistent basis before the next audition. Students may only audition once per semester.

For information on the Minor Technique Screening, visit the Minor in Dance page.