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Bennington College

Bennington, VT

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Dance Lab

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Training

Physically and intellectually rigorous curriculum emphasizing diversity of styles and ideologies

Students design their own educational pathway through mentoring and advising

Curriculum balances critical pedagogies with rigorous studio practice

Studio Practice & Body Pathways — ballet, modern, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, somatic approaches

Thinking, Making, Doing — improvisation, choreography, rotating visiting artist faculty

Critical Dance Processes — history, theory, Senior Seminar, Senior Thesis

Performance Pedagogies of Dance — rehearsal and performance of new works

Performance & Productions

Students travel to perform works by students and visiting choreographers

Recent appearances at Jacob's Pillow and the International Association of Black in Dance (IABD)

Collaborations with choreographers including Sidra Bell, Rena Butler, and Kyle Abraham

Facilities

State-of-the-art studios and classrooms on a 440-acre Vermont campus

Martha Graham Dance Company celebrated 100th anniversary at Bennington

School Info

Snapshot

3.53

Avg GPA (W)

45%

Admit Rate

school-wide

71%

Grad Rate

780

Enrollment

$38K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$72,900

Before aid

Average Net Price

$30,947

After aid

Tuition And Fees · bennington.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 5, 1:55 AM

Program Highlights

Training

Physically and intellectually rigorous curriculum emphasizing diversity of styles and ideologies

Students design their own educational pathway through mentoring and advising

Curriculum balances critical pedagogies with rigorous studio practice

Studio Practice & Body Pathways — ballet, modern, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, somatic approaches

Thinking, Making, Doing — improvisation, choreography, rotating visiting artist faculty

Critical Dance Processes — history, theory, Senior Seminar, Senior Thesis

Performance Pedagogies of Dance — rehearsal and performance of new works

Performance & Productions

Students travel to perform works by students and visiting choreographers

Recent appearances at Jacob's Pillow and the International Association of Black in Dance (IABD)

Collaborations with choreographers including Sidra Bell, Rena Butler, and Kyle Abraham

Facilities

State-of-the-art studios and classrooms on a 440-acre Vermont campus

Martha Graham Dance Company celebrated 100th anniversary at Bennington

Program Highlights

Training

Physically and intellectually rigorous curriculum emphasizing diversity of styles and ideologies

Students design their own educational pathway through mentoring and advising

Curriculum balances critical pedagogies with rigorous studio practice

Studio Practice & Body Pathways — ballet, modern, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, somatic approaches

Thinking, Making, Doing — improvisation, choreography, rotating visiting artist faculty

Critical Dance Processes — history, theory, Senior Seminar, Senior Thesis

Performance Pedagogies of Dance — rehearsal and performance of new works

Performance & Productions

Students travel to perform works by students and visiting choreographers

Recent appearances at Jacob's Pillow and the International Association of Black in Dance (IABD)

Collaborations with choreographers including Sidra Bell, Rena Butler, and Kyle Abraham

Facilities

State-of-the-art studios and classrooms on a 440-acre Vermont campus

Martha Graham Dance Company celebrated 100th anniversary at Bennington

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App Coalition App

Deadline

Early application deadlineNov 1, 2026

Early Decision IIRegular DecisionJan 10, 2027

Optional interview requestFeb 1, 2027

Fall transfer priorityApr 7, 2027

Late DecisionApr 15, 2027

Fall transfer finalApr 30, 2027

Admissions Application Financial Aid Deadlines · bennington.edu

Program AppApplication

Dates

Dates TBA

BFA Dance Lab Auditions · bennington.edu

Audition Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Dance

Workshop + Prepared Solo

Participate in a workshop with faculty and current students

Workshop includes ballet, improvisation, and contemporary forms including hip-hop

Prepare a solo, no longer than 2 minutes

May be self-choreographed or set material

Share music from a phone or other playback device

Attire

Wear comfortable attire

Sneakers for hip-hop

Ballet shoes optional

Additional Materials

Headshot (Required; Printed or Emailed Selfie)

Resume (Required; Bring to Audition)

Letters of Recommendation (One)

Transcripts (All Schools)

BFA Dance Lab Auditions · bennington.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply through Common App or Coalition (powered by Scoir)

Select Dance as the first-choice area of study

No application fee

Current Cycle

Fall 2027 BFA audition dates have not been published

On-campus Friday auditions may be arranged with prior program approval

Transfer Pathway

Bennington’s community-college articulation pathways and general transfer policy permit up to 64 approved credits toward a bachelor’s degree. BFA Dance Lab applicants still complete the required audition, dance credits are evaluated individually, and at least two years must be completed at Bennington.

Pathways Community College Bennington College · bennington.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

Registration is required for all live auditions

Contact: Cameron Childs, cameronchilds@bennington.edu or 802-440-4411

Audition Expectations

In-person auditions held in New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Vancouver (WA), Norfolk, and on campus in Vermont

Students may also audition on campus any Friday with prior program approval

Video auditions accepted when in-person attendance is not possible

Submit materials online through the Bennington applicant status page after applying

School Info

Snapshot

3.53

Avg GPA (W)

45%

Admit Rate

school-wide

71%

Grad Rate

780

Enrollment

$38K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$72,900

Before aid

Average Net Price

$30,947

After aid

Tuition And Fees · bennington.edu College Scorecard

Training

Physically and intellectually rigorous curriculum emphasizing diversity of styles and ideologies

Students design their own educational pathway through mentoring and advising

Curriculum balances critical pedagogies with rigorous studio practice

Studio Practice & Body Pathways — ballet, modern, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, somatic approaches

Thinking, Making, Doing — improvisation, choreography, rotating visiting artist faculty

Critical Dance Processes — history, theory, Senior Seminar, Senior Thesis

Performance Pedagogies of Dance — rehearsal and performance of new works

Performance & Productions

Students travel to perform works by students and visiting choreographers

Recent appearances at Jacob's Pillow and the International Association of Black in Dance (IABD)

Collaborations with choreographers including Sidra Bell, Rena Butler, and Kyle Abraham

Facilities

State-of-the-art studios and classrooms on a 440-acre Vermont campus

Martha Graham Dance Company celebrated 100th anniversary at Bennington

Updated Aug 5, 1:55 AM