Dance Scholarships & Auditions

All students are asked to first submit an application to the Office of Admissions before scheduling their dance interview and audition.

Complete a dance scholarship application. A confirmation email with details about your audition will be sent to you once the application form is processed. Please read and keep this email. Students should add finearts@carthage.edu to their contacts to ensure they receive all the scholarship information.

Those students planning to participate in the Presidential Scholarships should note that they will need to schedule an alternate day or time for the interview portion. The dance interviews take place between noon and 1 p.m., which is the same time as the luncheon for the Presidential Scholarships.

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 finearts@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.
• Dress appropriately:
  • 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 finearts@carthage.edu at least one week prior to the audition video submission date. A recommendation letter should also be emailed to finearts@carthage.edu prior to the audition video submission date. However, it will be accepted until Feb. 23, 2024.
• 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 into private folders on the ACCLAIM video platform. Video submissions should be completed before the interview date but will be accepted until Feb. 17, 2024.
• Dance attire for the recorded video follows the same requirements 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 finearts@carthage.edu to your contacts.

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