Ballet Performance

A 50-year tradition of excellence in ballet instruction has gained the School of Dance's ballet program a national reputation. The school is located in the Donald W. Reynolds Performing Arts Center, a facility made possible by $14.7 million in donations. The state-of-the art building houses dance studios, a body conditioning studio, student warm-up areas, a media and study center, dance archives, and conference rooms.

The School of Dance fosters a professional environment devoted to performance, teaching, choreography, art, and education for dance students. Courses give students the theoretical, historical, and theatrical perspectives of ballet that they need to succeed in a professional dance company or theater. This strong foundation in classical ballet, coupled with OU's outstanding liberal arts tradition, produces dancers who are poised for professional success.

While in the program, students audition for the school's classical ballet company, the Oklahoma Festival Ballet, which provides a multitude of performance opportunities at the local, national, and international level. Performing in the company's annual productions gives students a competitive edge and the ability to work on their technical and expressive abilities in a real-world atmosphere.

In addition to the university's admissions requirements, prospective ballet students must audition for the School of Dance as part of the application process. Students who are interested in joining the OU Ballet program should check the school's website for the annual audition schedule and more information about admissions: dance.ou.edu.

Dance magazine consistently ranks OU’s School of Dance among the TOP 3 in the nation! The School of Dance’s two companies have gained world-renowned reputations for their performances. Oklahoma Festival Ballet and Contemporary Dance Oklahoma are among the few college-based dance companies to participate in international tours to Japan, Mexico, Ecuador, Paraguay, Taiwan, China, and France. They have also received awards at the American College Dance Festivals and favorable reviews in Dance Magazine, Saturday Review, The New York Times, and the foreign press.

Ballet performance courses include:

• Ballet Technique III
• Ballet Technique IV 
• OU Ballet Company
• Stage Makeup for the Dancer
• Pointe Class
• Rehearsal and Production
• Ballet Choreography
• Music for Dancers

Ballet students may want to explore minors in:

• Pre-health (pdf)
• Health and Exercise Science (pdf)
• Nonprofit Organizational Studies (pdf)

• Professional Dance companies
• Dance schools
• Colleges and universities

Visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ website to explore the median pay for jobs you can pursue with this degree.