WMU Dance Team Holds Auditions for 2012-13

The 2012-13 Western Michigan University Dance Team Auditions will take place over a one-day tryout at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 29, 2012.

Dancers are asked to bring with them a 30-45 second (must be less than 1 minute) self-choreographed routine (pom, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop). Music for this piece should be on a CD (must be the ONLY song on the CD), USB (iTunes files only), or iPod/iPad (on it’s own playlist).  This should be a routine that best captures the dancers strongest dance technique & abilities including leaps, turns, pirouettes, tricks, performance & choreography.

Dancers will also be taught & required to audition a 40-60 second Jazz/Contemporary piece, as well as the WMU fight song (it is a good idea to know the words to the fight song or have an idea, you can find the lyrics at www.wmich.edu). First cuts may be made following the first section of auditions as needed (this is pending the number of candidates auditioning).

Auditions will take place in groups of two, three or four. Each group will audition the jazz routine & fight song. The self-choreographed pieces that dancers bring with them will be auditioned 1 dancer at a time. Final team selections will be posted following the conclusion of tryouts and a period of time for the judges & coaching staff to tabulate.

Immediately following the conclusion of auditions, a brief rules, Calendar and regulations meeting will be held with the new team members & Coach.  Within 1-2 weeks of auditions, new dancers need to plan on returning to WMU for a full team meeting, practice & physicals. Dancers making the team will also be required to pay a Collegiate Dance Team Camp registration fee of approx. $200.00 within 2-3 weeks of making the team.

AUDITIONS ARE CLOSED. NO SPECTATORS ARE ALLOWED TO STAY AND WATCH THE AUDITIONS. THIS INCLUDES NO PARENTS, FRIENDS, BOYFRIENDS, SIBLINGS, ETC. If you are accompanied by someone, they will need to wait for you outside of the field house.

Dancers NOT able to make auditions on Sunday, April 29, 2012:

Although this is not ideal, if you are NOT able to make the set audition date, we will accept electronic audition submissions. You will need to perform a solo (same as described above), as well as demonstrate each of the below required tricks. This video footage needs to be on DVD or USB ONLY & will NOT be returned to you. This needs to be mailed to Coach Kate Clark at the following address:

Western Michigan University Dance Team

Attn: Kate Clark

678 Maple Hill Drive

Kalamazoo, MI 49009

These DVD’s or USB packages MUST be received by Thursday, April 26, 2012, in order for you to be considered for the team. Along with your DVD/USB, please be sure to include proof of acceptance to WMU (a copy of your acceptance letter/your WIN #), a brief resume or biography about yourself & your dance experience, why you would like to be selected for the team, and a current head shot (does NOT have to be professional, any size is fine).

If you are selected, you will be contacted that evening following auditions. You will also need to plan on making a trip to WMU within 2-3 weeks for a potential follow up audition/interview & team meeting.

 Occasionally we do have a fall audition, as needed. This is NOT a guaranteed audition & we typically only have the additional audition if it is needed.

MINIMUM REQUIRED TECHNIQUE:

• Below please find the technical team requirements.
• Solid Triple Pirouettes (turns) working towards quads
• Coupe Turns (doubles/triples +)
• High Battements/Kicks (kickline)
• Foutee/A La Seconde turns (a minimum of 7 rotations into a double/triple pirouette)
• Turning Calypso leap
• Turning Coupe Jete Leap (turning straight leg leap)
• Grande Jetes (regular leaps)
• Leap in Second/Side-Leaps

Optional technical tricks:

• Turning leg holds
• Leg extensions
• Additional variations of leaps (switch, double attitude, reverse, etc.)
• Advanced turning sequences

WHAT TO WEAR:

This is up to the dancers discretion however, baggy clothes and sneakers will not be allowed. Preferably form fitting dance attire  & jazz shoes. Dancers typically wear jazz pants, or fitted shorts w/ a tank top or sports bra. Some type of dance/jazz shoe is preferred. Dancers should come to the audition GAME or PERFORMANCE DAY ready including hair, make-up & overall appearance.The dance team DOES wear half top uniforms.

AUDITION FEE:

There will be a $25 audition fee for the 2012-13 tryouts. You may bring cash or check (check is preferred). Please make check payable to WMU with Dance Team in the memo portion of the check. Every person auditioning for the team must submit their $25 fee including returning members.

Dancers will also need to bring with them their WIN # (Western Identification Number) and/or proof of acceptance to WMU, as well as their insurance card. If a dancer is under the age of 18, they will need to be accompanied by an adult guardian for the beginning of tryouts only, to sign off on forms.

Please also bring a current head shot (does not have to be professional, any size is fine). At the beginning of auditions, there will be a couple forms for dancers to fill out so please bring the above, required information and a pen. 

AFTER TRY-OUT PHYSICALS:

Within one week after making the team, all rookies are required to obtain a physical provided ONLY by one of the WMU Certified Athletic Trainers on campus. The coach will make arrangements with the training facility at their convenience one week after tryouts for rookies to obtain their physicals. All returning veterans will be required to complete the "returnee form" given by the trainers by July that year.

TEAM REQUIREMENTS:

Dancers selected for the 2012-13 Dance Team will have approximately 1-2 weeks to submit their summer conflicts & commitments to Coach Kate Clark, after which no exceptions will be made in terms of conflicts. Dancers are required to attend Collegiate Dance Team Camp as well as 3-4 summer weekend practices held at WMU. Details will be explained following auditions to those selected & team calendars will be distributed.

The Bronco dance team participates in all home Football Games, some away Football games, all home Men’s Basketball Games, home Women’s Volleyball Games, home Women’s Basketball games, community events, MAC Basketball tournament, Collegiate dance team camp each summer & NDA College Dance & Cheer Nationals every April in Daytona Beach, FL.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS: