female dancer on white stage

Westminster's Performing Arts Programs



The Performing Arts programs at Westminster University prioritize student-centered teaching that fosters creative growth and academic learning. Whether you focus on dance, theatre, or music, you'll find small class sizes taught by supportive faculty. You'll also participate in Learning Communities, where you can expand your interests and explore new ideas through unique, engaged, and challenging courses. In each program, you'll develop an understanding of performing arts from within a liberal arts setting that encourages interdisciplinary exploration, preparing you for additional graduate studies or a highly skilled professional career.

Alumni Success


dancers all in black clothes on stage

Read their story

Eric Taylor standin on dark stage

Read their story

Sally Louise "Hands on Fire" Album Cover featuring Sally Louise ('17) posing in a red dress

Read their story

 Emilio Casillas sitting on bench with white background

Read their story

 


performing arts Scholarships and Auditions

Westminster is committed to making a high-quality liberal arts education and tight-knit community accessible to all students regardless of their family’s financial situation. Students interested in the Music or Theatre program can audition for talent-based scholarships that apply for up to 4 years. Students interested in the Dance program can audition for need-based scholarships that apply for up to 4 years. 

Before you can audition for a performing arts program, you must submit an application for admission to Westminster. If you are interested in being considered for a performing arts scholarship, select “Yes” on the application when asked if you are interested in pursuing music, dance, or theatre. If you submitted your application for admission and did not indicate that you would like to audition for a performing arts scholarship, update your application in the application portal or email admission@westminsteru.edu and ask for it to be updated.

Once you've submitted your Westminster application, complete the performing arts audition form on your performing arts checklist in the application portal. You will also be able to schedule an in-person audition or submit a virtual audition portfolio through your application portal.

In-Person Audition Dates

  • February 8, 2025
  • February 22, 2025
  • March 8, 2025

Virtual Audition Portfolio

Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis and reviewed in alignment with the in-person audition dates.
  • Virtual Portfolio Priority Deadline: January 15, 2025

Portfolio Priority Deadline

  • January 15, 2025

Performing arts student experiences

Meet Dance Student, Sam

Meet Music Student, Madeline

Meet Theatre Student, Jaden

Meet the Students of Westminster University Performing Arts


female student in black leo dancing on orange ombre background

Dance Program

The Dance program at Westminster invites you to dance with purpose – participating in our fully collaborative, socially-aware, and deeply imaginative dance program. Dance students engage and advance artistically, academically, and professionally in a liberal arts setting while intersecting with a diverse range of creative perspectives and subject areas.

male and female student walking with large instruments in bags on their backs

Music Program

Whether you want to sing opera, play jazz piano, perform on Broadway, or join an indie rock band, the Florence J. Gillmor School of Music empowers you to pursue your dreams by connecting you with dynamic faculty and valuable educational opportunities.

three female students dancing on dark lit stage

Theatre Program

In Westminster’s Theatre program you’ll work side-by-side with professors who are dedicated to helping you succeed while collaborating with classmates who encourage you to discover your passions.


State-of-the-Art Facilities

In Fall 2022, an expansion of the Jewett Center for the Performing Arts and the Emma Eccles Jones Conservatory was completed. The Jewett side houses performance and production spaces, faculty offices, classrooms, teaching studios, a concert hall, theatre, and rehearsal rooms. Gillmor Hall, the new three-story, 26,000-square-foot expansion includes: 

  • A 100-seat recital hall 
  • Dance and performance studios 
  • Sound-proof rehearsal studios 
  • A practice hall 
  • A student lounge 
  • A costume studio 
  • An expanded scene shop 
  • A grand lobby for art exhibits and events 

Dance Facilities

Dance students enjoy a space dedicated to performances, rehearsals, and senior recitals. The addition also includes a green room and dressing rooms for dancers and other performers.

Music Facilities

Music students spend their time in 18 individual and group instruction/practice rooms; a choir rehearsal room; and a beautiful 100-seat music hall for recitals, chamber music productions, master classes, and lectures. 

Theatre Facilities

Theatre students access expanded scene and costume shops, a rehearsal space that accommodates acting classes during the day and production rehearsals in the evenings, and 2 performance spaces dedicated to set construction and design as well as technology courses. Acting students have access to private practice rooms to rehearse class assignments and audition materials. 



upcoming Performances

Westminster’s Performing Arts programs provide a meaningful cultural connection between talented students and the Sugar House community. Enjoy one of the many upcoming performances firsthand, from live theatre to immersive dance ensemble experiences.

Dance Performances

Theatre Performances

  • The Moors

    November 7, 2024 | 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

  • The Moors

    November 8, 2024 | 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

  • The Moors

    November 9, 2024 | 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

 

Signature Productions


GLINT text on blue and yellow smoky background

Glint

Glint brings together original dance works by students, faculty, and artists from the community, projected across the architecture and landscape of Westminster’s campus. 

audience in seats and performer on stage of new Gillmor Hall recital space

Concert Series

The Westminster Concert Series provides cultural enrichment for the Salt Lake community through live music, performed by an extraordinary cadre of local professional musicians. 

six actors in period clothing standing on dark stage

Classical Greek Theatre Festival

The Classical Greek Theatre Festival introduces an appreciation of ancient Greek theatre throughout Utah communities and campuses. 

male and female students playing instruments

Music Ensembles

Westminster’s music ensembles range from chamber singers to jazz ensembles to an opera studio and offer students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to engage and perform for the community.