Dance

Dance opportunites are open to all current American University students.

Please sign up for updates on auditions and opportunities or contact the dance program directly.

Dance AuditionsDates are for auditions, not performances

Fall Dance Concert   
Thursday, September 1, 6 p.m.
Katzen 152 (Katzen Dance Studio)
 

Audition to perform in the Fall Dance Concert, a mainstage event featuring new faculty work and selected student-choreographed, faculty-mentored projects, held at the Greenberg Theatre. If this is your first semester at AU, or if you haven’t yet performed in an AU dance production, this is the audition to come to! New students, returning students, all students are welcome to audition!
 

Gallery Senior Dance Capstone   
Thursday, September 8, 6 p.m.
Katzen 152 (Katzen Dance Studio)
 

Audition to perform in Gallery, senior dance capstone projects held annually at the American University Museum. All returning students are welcome to audition; transfer students by invitation.

Dance at AU! 
Wednesday, August 24, 7-8 p.m.
Katzen Sculpture Garden
(Rain location: Katzen 112)
 

Join AU dance program faculty to learn about dance classes, level placement, auditions, and performance opportunities in the dance program this fall. Thinking about taking a dance class? Not sure what level? Thinking about adding a dance major or minor? Wondering how to audition for fall performances? Come get all the info!
 

Dance Level Placement
Thursday, August 25, 4-5:30 p.m.
Katzen 152 (Katzen Dance Studio)

To register for embodied knowledge (technique) courses at AU, join us for our level placements. We will be placing for African, ballet, contemporary dance, and jazz. It’s an opportunity to meet the dance faculty and to take four mini sample movement classes.
 

Theatre/Musical Theatre

Theatre opportunities are open to all AU students. Auditions take place one semester in advance of all theatre/musical theatre program productions.

Auditions

For Spring 2023 performances, auditions will take place in October, date and time to be announced.

Overture (New Student Production)

For those new to AU, the program offers a special new student production, Overture, each fall. No audition is required. This year’s performance will take place in Katzen’s Studio Theatre on September 30 and October 1 following rehearsals in September. Participants in Overture are encouraged to register for PERF 065-002 or PERF-165-002.

Please attend the DPA's Welcome Back Night on August 31, 8 p.m. in Katzen's Abramson Family Recital Hall if you are interested in being a part of this year's Overture production and to hear more about this season's productions, audition dates, student theatre organizations, and special classes being offered by the theatre/musical theatre program.

Sign up for audition updates or email program director Karl Kippola

Music

Music Ensembles are open to current American University students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. Ensembles perform throughout the academic year in Katzen’s Abramson Family Recital Hall. Sign up for updates on auditions and opportunities. 

Music Ensemble Auditions

August 29–September 3
See below for the ensembles that require auditions.

Music Ensemble Open House
Thursday, August 25, 6 p.m.
Katzen Rotunda  

Join music faculty and other students for an overview of music ensemble activities and opportunities for the year. Learn more about private lessons, group classes, and all the outlets for your music interests. Attend this open house for a complete overview of music at AU. 

Vocal Ensembles

See details about all Vocal Ensembles

Chorus

Casey Cook, Conductor of AU Chorus. Contact us for more information.
Rehearsals: Tuesdays 7:30-10:15 p.m./occasional Mondays 8-10:15 p.m.
PERF-042-001, PERF-142-001
Audition required. Register. 

Chamber Singers

Daniel Abraham, Director of Choral Activities & Conductor of AU Chamber Singers. Contact us for more information.
Rehearsals: Mondays & Thursdays, 2:30-5:20 p.m.
PERF-043-001, PERF-143-001.
Audition required. Register.

Gospel Choir

Sylstea Sledge, Gospel Director
Rehearsals: Wednesdays 8:10-10:40 p.m., Kay Spiritual Life Center.
No audition: attend first class meeting, PERF-161-001, PERF-561-001.

Instrumental Ensembles

See details about all Instrumental Ensembles

AU Symphony Orchestra 

Matthew Brown, Director of Orchestral Activities.  Contact us for more information.
Rehearsals: Thursdays, 5:30-7:45 p.m. 
PERF-044-001, PERF-144-001.
Audition required. Contact Matthew Brown for sign up details.

AU Symphonic Band

Matthew Brown, Symphonic Band Director.
Rehearsal: Monday evenings, 5:30-7:45 p.m. 
PERF-047-001, PERF-147-001 
Audition required. Contact Matthew Brown for sign up details.

AU Jazz Orchestra

Joshua Bayer, Director of Jazz Studies
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 5:30-8 p.m. 
PERF-046,001, PERF-146-001. 
Audition required: attend the first class meeting

AU Jazz Combo

Joshua Bayer, Director of Jazz Studies 
Rehearsals: Wednesdays 10-11 a.m. 
Audition required: attend AU Jazz Orchestra first meeting to be considered for the AU Jazz Combo. 

Chamber Music

Ann Kang, Music Program Director 
Meets Tuesdays or Fridays, 2:30–3:45pm.
Contact akang@american.edu  
Audition for AU Symphony Orchestra or AU Symphonic Band to be considered for the Chamber Music Ensemble. 

West African Drumming 

Amadou Kouyate, West African Drumming Director  
Meets Tuesdays 5:30–7:30 p.m.  
PERF-145-003, PERF-045-004
No audition required