<p>I am currently a junior, and will be majoring in musical theatre in college. I am very strong vocally and acting wise, but I am slightly lacking in dance. What I mean is, I started dancing freshman year, and I don't have the "oh I've been dancing my whole life" experience that a lot of MT kids have. I've always been a natural dancer, and have gotten three years of good training so far. I love it, and am pretty good at it (jazz, tap, contemp, etc). I'm just not "professional," but I work hard. I've been planning on auditioning for less-risky BFA programs because of this fear. Last year however, my friend got accepted into Emerson's MT program, and she was not a dancer at all, but was extremely strong vocally. She could act pretty well too. She told me that they said they saw potential in her, and looked past her dance weakness because they knew they could help her become better in that area. </p>
<p>My question is, has anyone else heard of schools doing this? Or has anyone gone through this themselves? I didn't think that the "big gun" schools would do this sort of thing, but Emerson is very selective.... so I would like to know if anyone has stories/advice on this happening at any other universities- big gun or smaller gun :) Specifically- I'm certain I'm going to the east coast (New York, Boston, Pittsburgh, etc), or chicago, pretty much. so those areas in specific :) but anything would be greatly appreciated!!</p>
<p>Absolutely do not let your training in dance stop you from auditioning for any school. Many kids who audition do not have a lot of formal training in dance, and it sounds like you at least have a good solid foundation as well as some natural ability. During auditions, many schools just want to see if you can follow directions, and how quickly you can pick up movements. They do not expect perfection and are looking for potential. My D did not have a lot of formal instruction- every time she started a class she ended up doing a show and had to quit the dance classes. She picked up what she could, took classes at our CC during the summer, and joined dance team at school. Like you she has some natural ability and seems to pick it up quickly. She was admitted to almost every program she auditioned for, including some with tough dance programs. Go in to the auditions with a good attitude, listen carefully, and no matter what, look like you are having fun and SMILE a lot. My D is currently a junior at Penn State, which has a great dance program. She has been able to take extra dance classes, and while maybe she will never quite catch up with those who have been dancing since infancy, she has become an amazing dancer! </p>
<p>Just keep doing what you are doing, take as many classes as you can between now and auditions, and build up your confidence. You will do just fine!</p>
<p>My D, like takeitallin’s D, is also a junior at Penn State, and she got in on the strength of her acting and singing without much formal dance training (she also got into Emerson and BoCo). She had a lot of catching up to do, and at times it’s been rough, but she’s taken a lot of extra dance classes in order to make up for a lack of early training. There are some AMAZING dancers in her program that she’ll never be the equal of, but she has improved tremendously. </p>
<p>So, in other words, it can and does happen!</p>
<p>My D got in to Syracuse with only a few years of dance training. Luckily her strengths are singing and acting. It does hurt her when they are casting dance shows but she is trying to strengthen her dance skills all the time. Good luck and audition at all the schools you love.</p>
<p>Oklahoma City University- No dance call
Oklahoma University- They split the dance call between movers and dancers
Ithaca (already mentioned)-Dance call
Michigan (according to my son)- The Dance call was not complicated</p>
but anything would be appreciated!</p>