Contemporary Ballet

2025 Contemporary Ballet Application Deadlines & Notifications

Jan 27 at 11:59pm EST | Priority Deadline | $45 processing fee
Feb 24 at 11:59pm EST | Regular Deadline | $50 processing fee
After Feb 24 | Rolling Basis* | $55 processing fee

Acceptd offers financial assistance to applicants who meet Application Fee Waiver requirements. Application Fee Waivers are subject to approval by the Acceptd Support team and are granted based on proper documentation, when provided in advance of an application submission. Contact Acceptd Support when you set up your portal.

*Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis by Program Directors and School staff; with admittance status sent by email on a rolling basis if spaces are available.

Looking for a discount to a Jacob’s Pillow 360 Workshop in 2025?
Submit your application by the priority deadline, and you’ll receive a $5 discount code for a 360 workshop in your area! It’s your chance to connect with Jacob’s Pillow Artist Faculty and Alumni in a city near you.

• Clicking BEGIN YOUR APPLICATION takes you to Acceptd, our application portal where you will upload materials described below.
• Review the Application Guidelines located there in order to submit a complete and competitive application.
• Before submitting, review your work carefully, as only complete applications are considered for acceptance. Scholarship applications, if applicable, must be submitted with your program application. For more information, see below.
• If you need any assistance, contact school@jacobspillow.org.

Required Program Application Materials to Upload

1. Audition Video

Footage must be of clear viewing quality and preferably shot within three months, or as recent as possible, prior to submission. Media-enhanced, highly edited, or promotional type videos are not reviewed. Adjudicators prefer one concise video with a table of contents; multiple videos will be viewed if contents are properly identified. Use one of the following file types to successfully upload your video(s): MP4, M4V, AVI, FLV, MOV, WMV, MPG, MPEG, M2V, MKV, and WEBM.

• Verbal self-introduction, 1 minute maximum
  • Your name and current affiliation
  • Why this program is important for you this year
  • What you are showing on your reel
  • Anything you wish to share about your footage: title/choreographer(s) of performance footage, why footage date is not as preferred, etc. Remember, we are looking at who you are as a dancer, not where you are dancing.
• Technique sampler, 5 minutes maximum. If you wear pointe shoes, wear them in combinations and dance sections.
  • Center floor: Tendus, adagio, pirouettes, 1 petit allegro with batterie, 1 grand allegro, tour en l’air for men
  • Across-the-floor: Include a waltz, pirouettes, jumps, and leaps
  • Required: Adagio and a petit and grand allegro; Men include tour en l’air
• Performance sampler, 6 minutes maximum
  • In-studio footage is preferred over performance footage
  • If performance or group footage, identify who is to be viewed
  • Identify names of works and choreographers for
    • 1 classical variation or repertory excerpt
    • 1 contemporary ballet improvisation or variation
  • Excerpts should demonstrate a range of dynamics, levels, tempos, and styles

2. Written Statement, in 500 words or less, please share:

• Influences on your current dance work and artistic goals 
• Career aspirations and experiences desired to reach them
• How you envision this program impacting your vision of yourself as an artist

3. Résumé/C.V.

4. Photos

• Classical position of your choice in leotard, women should be on pointe
• Headshot

5. If 17 or younger, a Letter of Recommendation is required

• You will be asked to list the name, title, phone, and email of a dance teacher or artist who has agreed to write a Letter of Recommendation. On receipt of an email, they should be prepared to address the following:
  • Technical and performance artistry
  • Stamina to participate in rigorous, professional level classes, rehearsals, performances before the public, and evening responsibilities
  • Ability to interact and live responsibly as a professional in a diverse artist community

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• Read Program Fees & Scholarships for program costs and all scholarship opportunities.
  • The Scholarship Application is found within the Program Application.
  • If you are a dependent, all financial information provided must be for your parent/guardian(s).
  • U.S. and international dancers are eligible for scholarship awards.
  • If you need any assistance, contact school@jacobspillow.org.
• Read Participation Requirements & Policies for important eligibility details.

BEGIN YOUR APPLICATION