Who Should Audition
FOR Washington University Dance THEATRE:
All students enrolled in dance classes at Washington University, regardless of level, are encouraged to audition; non-majors and non-minors of the dance program are also strongly encouraged to audition.
Note: Students may be cast by more than one choreographer and are permitted to perform in several works as your schedule permits.
FOR Washington University Dance COLLECTIVE:
All members of the Wash U community are welcome to audition. Non-majors and non-minors of the dance program are also strongly encouraged to audition.
Washington University Dance Collective serves as the Performing Arts Department’s resident dance company. WUDC is a unique blending of talented and expressive movers from very diverse backgrounds who bring with them a wide range of movement styles and performance acumen. The dancers work with faculty, community, graduate and undergraduate student choreographers, as well as perform throughout the St. Louis community.
Student Dancers can audition for BOTH WUDT & WUDC!
When & Where Are Auditions
Washington University Dance Theatre auditions will take place on Tuesday, September 2 from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
WUDance Collective auditions will take place Thursday, September 4 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Dance auditions will be held in the Annelise Mertz Dance Studio, in the Mallinckrodt Center Room 207. Click here to download a Danforth Campus Map.
For ALL auditions, we recommend you show up at least 15 minutes early to pick up your number, make sure we have your audition form and warm up.
How to Sign Up
To sign up, simply complete an audition form by clicking HERE or the link at the top of this page.
While we strongly encourage you to fill out the audition form no less than 24 hours before auditions, walk-ups are accepted.
Costume Measurement:
Returning WUDT dancers who feel their measurements may have changed or new dancers who would like to swing by the Academy Building to be measured before Sept. 2 Audition, please click this link to schedule a time for measurement. Otherwise, all others will be measured at the audition.
Any issues? Email our Production Manager, Jimmy Bernatowicz, bernatowicz@wustl.edu.
Residency and Rehearsal Schedules
WUDT: something is happening
November 14 & 15 at 7:30pm, November 16 at 2pm
Edison Theatre
Obvious yet easily overlooked, life is experienced one moment at a time, perpetually unfolding toward an unknowable future. This one-directional flow of timespace becomes the source of our curiosity, anxiety, wonder, and excitement. Live performance creates dynamic art work that focuses our collective awareness toward the ever-emerging horizon of time, continuously poised at the precipice of the present. Join us for an evening of contemporary dance exploring the evocative feeling of anticipation that something is happening…
This concert dance showcase features diverse and creative choreography by resident artists Ellie Harrison, David Marchant, Liz Lloyd, and guest artists Ron K. Brown and Xi Zhao.
Artists & Rehearsal Schedules-
David Marchant:
- Residency – Sat & Sun September 13 & 14: 11am-2pm, Mon-Thurs. September 15-18, 7-10pm
Liz Lloyd
- Residency – October 20-24 7-10pm
Elinor Harrison:
- Residency – September 29 – Oct 3 from 7-10pm
Guest Artists:
Ron K. Brown: https://evidencedance.com/mission-founder/
- Residency – Sunday, September 21 3:00-6:00pm, Monday September 22 and Wednesday September 24 6:00-9:00pm, Tuesday September 23 and Thursday September 25 7:00-10:00pm, Friday September 26 12:00-3:00pm
Xi Zhao :
- Residency- October 9-10, 12-13, and 16, 1-4pm on Sunday, 7-10pm all other days
Maintenance rehearsals will be scheduled after casting, and based on dancer availability.
WUDC: Alchemy
April 10 & 11 at 7:30pm
Edison Theatre
Alchemy explores the moment that movement ignites transformation.
Dance can be a powerful tool that transforms the elements of time, space, and movement, into an art form that transcends social boundaries, creates shared experiences, and fosters unique perspectives and ideas about the world in which we live. As an art form, it can act as a powerful form of communication that extends beyond physical performance to encompass emotional, spiritual, and intellectual interactions.
A visceral dive into the power of movement, Alchemy seeks to explore how kinetic energy can be both emotion and invention, the crack in the concrete that allows a rose to bloom. An eclectic dance concert that is unapologetically human, Alchemy dares you to feel everything—and leave changed.
Rehearsal Schedules-
Company rehearsals are Thursdays 7-9pm and Sundays 4-7pm (Thursday times subject to change based on WUDT schedules)
Choreographers begin casting for each piece at auditions and continue to finalize casting during the first few rehearsal of the semester. After casting is finalized, dancers only have to attend rehearsal for the pieces in which they are cast. All pieces will be scheduled within the established Sunday and Thursday schedule.
*Any dancers cast in both WUDT and WUDC will be excused from WUDC rehearsals if they conflict with any WUDT Residency.
WUDT:
Dancers are selected through an open call audition by all WUDT choreographers. Dancers will learn and audition a combination for each choreographer.
The audition will last approximately 3 hours.
*Dancers auditioning for Ron K. Brown will learn and audition a combination, which will be recorded in order for casting decisions to be made prior to the residency start.
WUDC:
Dancers are selected through an open call audition by Artistic Directors, Cecil Slaughter and Ryadah Heiskell, on the audition night.
Dancers will learn and audition multiple combinations in different styles and are expected to participate in the full audition.
The audition will last approximately 2 hours.
Dancers are requested to dress in clothing appropriate for movement in a wide range of styles, including ballet, jazz and modern. Shoes are optional for most auditions, though most dancers opt to wear socks, half-soles/footUndeez, or go barefoot; Ballet and Jazz shoes may be beneficial for certain dances, but are not required. Knee pads are welcomed if the dancer prefers and may provide additional comfort for some styles of movement.
In addition to your dance clothing, we recommend you bring an additional warmup layer in case you feel cold before or in between dances. A water bottle with a cap is also recommended to keep hydrated. Light packable food, such as powerbars, may also be appropriate if needed to maintain blood sugar level during a long period of physical exertion.