Perform with us

University Ballet typically holds two auditions per year, one at the start of the academic year and another approximately one week after the first performance. All dancers with University affiliation who audition will be able to perform regardless of previous experience, although technical ability and availability will be taken into account during casting. Do not worry if you have no prior experience in ballet; we will teach you! We make every effort to cast dancers without University affiliation and we encourage all interested dancers to audition, but unfortunately we are unable to guarantee a role to all dancers outside the University.

Cast Requirements

Each company member is required to attend a minimum of one ballet class per week in addition to their rehearsals. These classes may be taken with University Ballet or at one of the many studios in Chicago. If a performer is opting to take class elsewhere, they must notify our Head of Teaching Lola Flores. Total commitment can range from 2.5 to 10 hours per week depending on your level of involvement. Dancers must provide their tights and ballet or pointe shoes, when appropriate. Dancers must also commit to sell $25 in advertisements per production or opt to pay an equivalent due fee, which goes toward production and costume fees. Otherwise, there are no further costume or production fees.

Choreographing and Staging

University Ballet frequently calls for both stagers and choreographers for its semiannual productions. Prior to each performance, the Artistic Director will send out a request to the listhost. If you are interested in helping with sets, props, costumes, or other aspects of production, please contact our Creative Director Mella Bettag. Additionally, if you have any suggestions for performance opportunities, we would love to hear from you! Please email Artistic Directors Sara Chuang or Alexis Truta with any ideas.

2024-2025 Season Auditions

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