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
"Being able to either participate in storytelling or experience it as an audience member connects us as humans and shows us that we are more similar than we are different."
"The big moral that I hope people can take out of my story is to not be afraid of asking your professors for more. There’s a lot of ‘no’s’ that come along the way, but the more you ask, the more people are going to help you."
"Being able to have a home base on campus—and feeling like I have this really good learning environment that was nurturing my creative musical side and technical abilities musically—helped me do the things I wanted to do off campus"
"Westminster’s interdisciplinary approach to theatre equipped me to work in a multitude of roles in performing arts, and the internships and connections the faculty provided laid the groundwork for a career in Utah and beyond."
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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Salt Lake Ballet Cooperative, Dance Class for Humans, Grey Matters
November 21, 2024 | 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
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Salt Lake Ballet Cooperative, Dance Class for Humans, Grey Matters
November 22, 2024 | 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
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Fall Dance Concert: Ripple Effect
November 22, 2024 | 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Music Performances
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Westminster Concert Series: Hear & Now
February 24, 2025
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Westminster Concert Series: A'lante Flamenco
April 6, 2025
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Westminster Concert Series: A'lante Flamenco
April 7, 2025
Theatre Performances
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February 27, 2025 | 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
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February 28, 2025 | 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
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March 1, 2025 | 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Signature Productions
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.
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.
Classical Greek Theatre Festival
The Classical Greek Theatre Festival introduces an appreciation of ancient Greek theatre throughout Utah communities and campuses.
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.
What's Next?