# Princeton Dance Festival FAQ

**Source**: https://arts.princeton.edu/academics/dance/performance-opportunities/princeton-dance-festival-faq/
**Parent**: https://arts.princeton.edu/academics/dance/performance-opportunities/

#### Performance Opportunities for Students

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# Princeton Dance Festival FAQ ---

If you are a Princeton student considering participation in the Program in Dance’s annual Princeton Dance Festival (PDF), please browse this list of frequently asked questions.

If you have a question that is not answered here, please email dance Program Associate Cindy Rosenfeld at [cr17@princeton.edu](mailto:cr17@princeton.edu).

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the Princeton Dance Festival (PDF) and how do I get involved?

PDF is the dance program’s fall production that will take place November 21-23, 2025 (4 performances total) at the Berlind Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center. Students perform the works of current dance faculty and several guest choreographers.

**There are two pathways to PDF:**

1. Attend [Placement Class](https://arts.princeton.edu/events/dance-placement-class-fa-25/) to enroll in the [DAN 326 course](https://arts.princeton.edu/courses/princeton-dance-festival-approaches-to-performance-and-choreography-fa-25/); and/or
2. [Audition to be in a Guest Choreographer’s work](https://arts.princeton.edu/academics/dance/performance-opportunities/#choreographer)

You can do both — perform in PDF through DAN 326 and perform with a guest choreographer.

### Is PDF open to first-year students?

Yes!

### What is the time commitment?

- DAN 326 meets 3 times per week: Mondays/Wednesdays 4:30-6:20 PM, plus a Friday choreography precept (either 10-11:50 AM or 1:20-3:10 PM, based on class year and faculty recommendation).
- Guest Choreographer rehearsals are 2 times per week: Tuesdays/Thursdays, 4:30-6:20 PM.

### How much dance experience is expected?

The dances taught in DAN 326 embrace a wide spectrum of dance backgrounds. However, please know that DAN 326 is an upper-level course, and some dance experience is recommended. If you have some dance experience and are interested, just come to Placement Class and have fun! We’ll find a course that’s right for you. Please email dance Program Associate Cindy Rosenfeld at [cr17@princeton.edu](mailto:cr17@princeton.edu) if you have additional questions about this.

### What will happen at the DAN 326 Placement Class?

At [Placement Class](https://arts.princeton.edu/events/dance-placement-class-fa-25/), you’ll meet the DAN 326 faculty choreographers who are creating and/or staging repertory to be performed in the Princeton Dance Festival. There will be a group warm-up that is appropriate for dancers with a wide variety of backgrounds and will not require a specific kind of training. After this, each faculty choreographer will teach a movement phrase that will then be performed in small groups. This is NOT an audition! Rather, this is your opportunity to get a feel for each choreographer and to see if this is something you’re interested in.

### Can you explain the DAN 326 course structure, specifically the precept component?

DAN 326 — “Princeton Dance Festival: Approaches to Performance and Choreography” is a dance studio course that culminates in two performances: the Princeton Dance Festival at the Berlind Theater and a choreographic showing in the Hearst Theater. DAN 326 meets 3 times each week: Mondays/Wednesdays at 4:30 PM, plus a choreographic precept on Fridays (10:00 AM or 1:20 PM, depending on class year and faculty recommendation). The Monday/Wednesday meetings are when you will rehearse and learn repertoire to be performed in the Princeton Dance Festival; the Friday precept offers instruction in choreography and will culminate in an end-of-semester showing of created work. You will have separate instructors for each component.

### How do I register for DAN 326 in TigerHub?

Important note: All students must register for the M/W sections before registering for the precept, so even though you may have received a precept recommendation from dance faculty, please note that this is for schedule-planning purposes only. You won’t be able to officially register for either the M/W section or the F precept section until after the 9/1 Placement Class.

After Placement Class (typically around 9 pm that evening), you’ll get an email that confirms your DAN 326 Monday/Wednesday section and Friday precept assignments. You will be able to register for both in TigerHub the following morning, and you will be required to attend the first class at 4:30 PM on Wednesday.

### I think I want to be in PDF by taking DAN 326! What should I do next?

[Register for Placement Class](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf6ZzseKhWkB8ilS_uOX1s9W97aKgRe5ibVsE2Vjneq3VKWxQ/viewform) (you can do this at any point before the class) and then just show up on September 1. See you then!

### I want to be in PDF, but I can’t take another course this semester. Can I still participate?

Yes! You can [audition to be in one of three guest choreographers’ works](https://arts.princeton.edu/events/guest-choreographer-auditions-for-princeton-dance-festival-fa-25/2025-09-06/). This is a non-curricular commitment, and rehearsals are Tuesdays/Thursdays from 4:30-6:20 PM. These guest choreographer auditions will happen on Saturday, September 6 and Tuesday, September 9. Students may audition for all opportunities but can only be cast in one. Have fun meeting these renowned choreographers!

### What kind of commitment is required during performance week?

All dancers will be required to attend several additional rehearsals during the week of the performance, including a technical rehearsal and Thursday evening dress rehearsal. Performances (4) are Friday evening, Saturday matinee and evening, and Sunday matinee during November 21-23, 2025.