Dance Scholarships & Auditions

Students intending to minor in dance are encouraged to audition for a Carthage Dance Minor Scholarship. Scholarship awards are $2,500-$5,000 per year and are renewable based on maintaining satisfactory academic progress and Theatre Department service work each semester.

Awards are contingent upon the applicant’s acceptance as a Carthage student and enrollment as a dance minor in the upcoming academic year. An audition is not required for acceptance as a Dance Minor, though a scholarship/placement audition is required for scholarship consideration and for placement in technique courses.

What to Expect & How to Prepare

IN-PERSON DANCE INTERVIEWS AND AUDITIONS REQUIREMENTS

• Complete an interview with Stacy Pottinger, Director of Dance.
• Bring your dance-related resume and one letter of recommendation to the audition. The letter can also be emailed directly to vpascholarships@carthage.edu by the person providing your recommendation.
• A headshot is not required but helpful. If you have a headshot, please bring it with your resume and recommendation letter.
• Participate in the scholarship dance audition. This will consist of a ballet barre, two to three jazz progressions, a short modern/contemporary phrase, and an improvisation assignment. Those with tap experience are invited to participate in a tap assessment at the end of the audition.
• Recommended attire:
  • Ballet and jazz slippers are recommended. Please note that jazz sneakers are not recommended on the slip-resistant floor in our dance studio.
  • Dancers may wear leotards or fitted T-shirts, as well as fitted dance pants, or tights that can be rolled off the feet for the contemporary portion of the audition.
  • Hair should be pulled back and secured from the eyes.
  • Tap shoes are recommended for the optional tap assessment.

VIRTUAL DANCE INTERVIEWS AND AUDITIONS REQUIREMENTS

• Complete a virtual interview with Stacy Pottinger, Director of Dance.
• Submit a resume and one letter of recommendation. Resumes should be emailed to vpascholarships@carthage.edu at least one week prior to the audition video submission date. A recommendation letter should also be emailed to vpascholarships@carthage.edu prior to the audition video submission date. However, it will be accepted until Feb. 23, 2025.
• Once the interview and audition are scheduled, students will receive access to a collection of pre-recorded movement combinations similar to the material given at the in-person auditions. Students will be asked to learn and record video samples from this collection of pre-recorded exercises. Students will also receive instructions on recording and uploading audition video submissions. Video submissions should be completed before the interview date but will be accepted until Feb. 19, 2025. All virtual interviews and auditions must be completed by Feb. 22, 2025.
• Dance attire for the recorded video follows the same recommendations as the in-person auditions:
  • Ballet and jazz slippers are recommended.
  • Dancers may wear leotards or fitted T-shirts, as well as fitted dance pants, or tights that can be rolled off the feet for the contemporary portion of the audition.
  • Hair should be pulled back and secured from the eyes.
  • Tap shoes are recommended for the optional tap assessment.

In order to best facilitate the virtual audition process, please make sure to add vpascholarships@carthage.edu to your contacts.

Submit the dance scholarship form

Additional Information

Scholarship candidates will receive notification by mail regarding scholarship status in mid to late March.

All Theatre Department scholarships complement most other merit-based scholarships up to full tuition value. Total Carthage scholarship awards do not exceed full tuition.

Learn more about other scholarships offered by the Carthage Theatre Department

Questions?

Additional questions regarding the dance scholarship/placement auditions can be directed to vpascholarships@carthage.edu or 262-551-5859. For questions about the dance minor program, please contact Stacy Pottinger at spottinger@carthage.edu.

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