What To ExPect & How To Prepare!
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| Junior Dance Team Member: Tiara W. |
So whether you are a returning veteran, an incoming Freshman or a new student body hopeful the main question is what will the audition consist of and how do I prepare.
In this blog we are providing some basic tips that will help you on April 30th. The Dance Team staff is choosing their "dream team" for the 2011/2012 year and through this, you will know exactly what we are looking for.
For all of the incoming Freshman and new student body hopefuls please understand that the dance team is not run on a "high school" level. The "high school" level involves performing at their respected basketball season halftime games and that is primarily that is all that is required. The Padua Dance Team is a two season dance team and depending what is scheduled in the Spring for performances, may even bleed over. Does this mean you cannot participate in Fall or Winter or other Spring sports? Not at all. You can. If you are in a Fall sport, you would come over to us for Winter and vice versa.
Also it is directed as a semi-pro, prep collegiate dance team. Our saying is "Only the Strong Survive" and many of our veterans will and can attest to this. Dance Team is a VARSITY SPORT!
The Dance Team is a hip hop dance team so naturally, you must know hip hop, be funky, have style, swag, etc. We encourage technical training; however, 99% of the pieces are hip hop. There are many girls that come in never having danced hip hop before and they do get placement; however, we are not here to TRAIN you. We are not doing a prep class this year.
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| A Basketball Game "We Took The Night" |
Tips and pointers on how to prepare
1) Start to watch dance team videos (you can watch ours) on youtube, Facebook, etc. There is an aspect to dance team called "showmanship" which we look for in our audition. This is how you execute your movement on the court or in a performance and how well you relate to your audience. Showmanship is smiling when needed, having attitude when needed and dancing full out!
2) Research the head coach, Tori Closson. Know her background, what her experience is and her style. This will help you know what her choreography style is.
3) Take a hip hop class or two, if you can. If you are already taking classes, great but if you are not, the choreography can be a little fast and challenging. The best way to pick up on the intensity is to be consistent with it.
4) Email the head coach to find out where you can take classes or to ask specific questions regarding the audition and what the year would entail.
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| Sophomore Dance Team Member: Christina C. |
What to Wear & What to Do at the Audition?
1) Wear a cute outfit! Make it colorful, bright, fun, noticeable!!!! Do not show your stomachs! (you will automatically be cut). We prefer that you do NOT wear shorts. We do not need to see your legs...this is HIP HOP. Wear a cute adidas or nike or puma outfit, cute sweats, cut up tees! (but no midriffs)
2) WEAR SNEAKERS!!!! Do not wear jazz shoes, jazz sneakers, ballet shoes or dance barefoot. This will result in a low score from the dance team staff.
3) Do your hair. Do not, do not, do not show up looking like you rolled out of bed. We are looking for performers, for that "game entertainment IT factor." We prefer hair to be out but if it's NOT up make it neat.
4) We are not expecting makeup; however, please come with a little blush and lipgloss! Show us you care and that we can take you to the NY Knicks Halftime show or the Washington Wizards Halftime show. Show us that we can transform you into that Disney Pro-Bowl Show. Come in FRIENDLY, SMILING, CONFIDENT.
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| Getting Ready for a V-ball game! Junior: Allie H Senior: Alessandra B. |
What to Bring To the Audition?
1) Bring in your dance bag these items:
- extra clothing in case you sweat so much you need to change
- sprays, lotions & deodorant
- extra pairs of socks
- Hair products, ties, etc
- Any makeup product you feel you need (bronzer, eye cream)
- Bring light snacks: Water, Granola Bar, Fruit (no chips, muffins or heavy food, no soda)
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| Washington Wizards Game: Freshman, Madeline V. |
The Rundown of the Audition
The audition is from 3 to 6 pm on Saturday, April 30, 2011
*Please begin to arrive around 2:30 for registration. (you will fill out an application)
3:00 to 3:15---Late Arrivals & Registration
3:15 to 3:30---Audition Welcome
3:30 to 4:00---Warmup
4:00 to 4:30---Audition Routine
4:30 to 5:00---Routine Review & Interviews & Freshen up
5:00 to 5:45---Audition
5:45 to 6:00---Thank yous and you will receive an envelope with whether you made the team or not.
(You must open the envelope when you leave the school. Remember we are looking for the "dream team" so if you are not chosen, we encourage you to audition the next year. The head coach teaches classes outside of Padua Academy so you are more then welcome to take those classes if you wish.)
What to Expect if You make the Team
The Dance Team will officially begin in August of 2011. We expect you to physically prepare for the upcoming year by taking classes, eating healthy and working out lightly. At the audition, the head coach will have a list of dance classes and events that you can take part in that is not mandatory.
In August there will be an Arena Dance Pros Workshop that is mandatory. (August 15-17th)
There will also be a week long bootcamp for the dance team. (First or Second Week in August)
(If you are on vacation, you would need to come to one or the other. Most of our dancers attend both for maximum preparation)
The season will officially begin on August 14th or 15th. Rehearsals will begin then for the V-ball season. We work around everyone's schedule during the month of August due to vacations but please know that once you commit to dance team, there is an obligation there. We need written documentation on vacations, etc. This is a varsity sport and you are expected to perform and practice on that level.
