Private school3.9K

Roger Williams University

Bristol, RI

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenInternal AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

Virtual Only

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In FriendlyPK-12 Cert Option

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenInternal AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

Virtual Only

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In FriendlyPK-12 Cert Option

Browse programs

Quick links

BA Dance/Performance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenInternal AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

Virtual Only

Program profile

Study AbroadTransfer In FriendlyPK-12 Cert Option

Program Recognition

Selected to perform at the Kennedy Center National Festival Gala Concert (one of only 9 works chosen from hundreds nationally)

Recognized at the American College Dance Association Regional and National Galas

Only Movement Theatre training within the context of a professional Dance curriculum

Performance & Productions

Technique from Elementary to Advanced in Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Mime, Movement Theatre, and Ethnic and Social forms

Live accompaniment for all technique classes with opportunities to collaborate with staff composer

Dance Theatre repertory company performs multiple concerts each semester at the Performing Arts Center

Regular guest artist residencies with nationally recognized choreographers

Notable Alumni

Sean Curran — Bessie Award winner, STOMP original cast, choreographer for Broadway and Opera

Jacqui Squatriglia — choreographer for COYOTE UGLY

Brandon Glasgow: Principal Dancer, PHILADANCO

Heather Ahern: Dance Chair, West Virginia University

Jenny Rocha: Rocha Dance Theatre (NYC)

Study Abroad

Semester-long Dancing in London Program (junior fall): work with international faculty, attend dozens of performances

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.49

Admit rate

88%

school-wide

Grad rate

69%

Enrollment

3.9K

Earnings

$70K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$48,328

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$71,730

Before aid

Average net price

$37,999

After aid

Undergraduate Cost Attendance · rwu.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 27, 3:30 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Selected to perform at the Kennedy Center National Festival Gala Concert (one of only 9 works chosen from hundreds nationally)

Recognized at the American College Dance Association Regional and National Galas

Only Movement Theatre training within the context of a professional Dance curriculum

Performance & Productions

Technique from Elementary to Advanced in Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Mime, Movement Theatre, and Ethnic and Social forms

Live accompaniment for all technique classes with opportunities to collaborate with staff composer

Dance Theatre repertory company performs multiple concerts each semester at the Performing Arts Center

Regular guest artist residencies with nationally recognized choreographers

Notable Alumni

Sean Curran — Bessie Award winner, STOMP original cast, choreographer for Broadway and Opera

Jacqui Squatriglia — choreographer for COYOTE UGLY

Brandon Glasgow: Principal Dancer, PHILADANCO

Heather Ahern: Dance Chair, West Virginia University

Jenny Rocha: Rocha Dance Theatre (NYC)

Study Abroad

Semester-long Dancing in London Program (junior fall): work with international faculty, attend dozens of performances

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Selected to perform at the Kennedy Center National Festival Gala Concert (one of only 9 works chosen from hundreds nationally)

Recognized at the American College Dance Association Regional and National Galas

Only Movement Theatre training within the context of a professional Dance curriculum

Performance & Productions

Technique from Elementary to Advanced in Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Mime, Movement Theatre, and Ethnic and Social forms

Live accompaniment for all technique classes with opportunities to collaborate with staff composer

Dance Theatre repertory company performs multiple concerts each semester at the Performing Arts Center

Regular guest artist residencies with nationally recognized choreographers

Notable Alumni

Sean Curran — Bessie Award winner, STOMP original cast, choreographer for Broadway and Opera

Jacqui Squatriglia — choreographer for COYOTE UGLY

Brandon Glasgow: Principal Dancer, PHILADANCO

Heather Ahern: Dance Chair, West Virginia University

Jenny Rocha: Rocha Dance Theatre (NYC)

Study Abroad

Semester-long Dancing in London Program (junior fall): work with international faculty, attend dozens of performances

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fees

Common App Fee

$55

International Fee

$55

Deadline

First-year applicants

Early ActionNov 15, 2026

Regular DecisionFeb 1, 2027

Transfer applicants

Recommended Transfer Fall PriorityApr 1, 2027

Transfer Fall Rolling Admission

First Year Applicants · rwu.edu Transfer Application Requirements · rwu.edu

Post-Enrollment 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.

No audition is required for the initial application. The optional scholarship review (audition) is separate from the internal audition gate students complete after enrollment.Gateway source

Dance

Two Video Submissions

2-3 minute video of yourself training in a studio and/or performing in a concert setting

Must highlight: stability and balance, mobility and locomotion, gestural clarity, direction and level changes, energy and timing dynamics, anatomically sound alignment

2-3 minute solo

Choreography may be your own, someone else's, or a collaboration

Consider your solo a vehicle to share both your technique and what you love to do

Video Format

Submit via YouTube or Vimeo links

Additional Materials

Dance Resume (Required)

Include training history, performance experience, and relevant skills

Photo (Required)

Recent photo

Cover Letter (Required)

Informal introduction describing your interests as a dancer, scholar, and future professional

Dance Performance · rwu.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply via Common App or directly through RWU website

No application fee when applying directly; $55 via Common App (fee waiver available)

No separate audition portal required

Eligibility

Students encouraged to combine Dance major with another major or minor

Dance/Performance majors may elect PK-12 Dance Teacher Certification within the major

For students completing certification, the current catalog specifically requires DANCE 161 and DANCE 460; these courses are not a complete list of certification requirements

Transfer applications continue on a rolling basis until two weeks before the semester begins; the published priority dates allow earlier consideration

Transfer Pathway

Transfer students entering the BA Dance/Performance may bring up to 75 credits and receive an individual credit evaluation and degree-planning appointment. Dance majors participate in the program’s technique and performance curriculum, including the post-enrollment company auditions.

Transfer Applicants · rwu.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

Video audition required only for Talent Scholarship consideration

Not required for program admission

Submit materials through the RWU Applicant Portal (connect.rwu.edu/apply)

Provide YouTube or Vimeo links for video submissions

Post-Enrollment

Dance Theatre company auditions are required of Dance majors after enrollment and are separate from the Talent Scholarship video submission

Published company schedule: September 2, 2026 and February 3, 2027, from 6-8 p.m. in the RWU Performing Arts Center Dance Studio

Contact

Dance faculty: Cathy Nicoli (cnicoli@rwu.edu)

Admissions: admit@rwu.edu

Scholarship Info

Talent Scholarship

Available for incoming Dance/Performance majors

Awarded based on video audition submission

In addition to any academic merit scholarship

Not required for program admission

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.49

Admit rate

88%

school-wide

Grad rate

69%

Enrollment

3.9K

Earnings

$70K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$48,328

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$71,730

Before aid

Average net price

$37,999

After aid

Undergraduate Cost Attendance · rwu.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Selected to perform at the Kennedy Center National Festival Gala Concert (one of only 9 works chosen from hundreds nationally)

Recognized at the American College Dance Association Regional and National Galas

Only Movement Theatre training within the context of a professional Dance curriculum

Performance & Productions

Technique from Elementary to Advanced in Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Mime, Movement Theatre, and Ethnic and Social forms

Live accompaniment for all technique classes with opportunities to collaborate with staff composer

Dance Theatre repertory company performs multiple concerts each semester at the Performing Arts Center

Regular guest artist residencies with nationally recognized choreographers

Notable Alumni

Sean Curran — Bessie Award winner, STOMP original cast, choreographer for Broadway and Opera

Jacqui Squatriglia — choreographer for COYOTE UGLY

Brandon Glasgow: Principal Dancer, PHILADANCO

Heather Ahern: Dance Chair, West Virginia University

Jenny Rocha: Rocha Dance Theatre (NYC)

Study Abroad

Semester-long Dancing in London Program (junior fall): work with international faculty, attend dozens of performances

Updated Aug 27, 3:30 PM