As I start my journey into my 3rd year auditioning for the Denver Bronco Cheerleaders, I wanted to give some insight into what the experience is like, what I've learned, and what I wished I would have known my first year around.
1. The tryout process is much more than just the day of Semi finals.
Preparing for tryouts is key. Stretching, practicing turns, learning choreography are all key to being "ready" for auditions.
For the last 2 years DBC has been offering "Prep" classes for girls a month in advance of tryouts. This is an awesome way to get ready and also see other girls skills. They offer a great insight into what is needed to make the team.
Workshop- DBC also offer a workshop a month before tryouts for all girls interested in trying out. This is a half day workshop that goes over information about being on the team as well as learning LOTS of choreography. This is a long day so be prepared to dance your butt off!
2. Semi Finals
Semi Finals is held at the stadium and is a very exciting day! Hundreds of girls show up, dressed to impress, makeup, hair, and of course SPRAY TANS!
One of my biggest "mistakes " my first year (primarily cause I didn't know what to expect) was that I wasn't dressed/ ready for a professional dance audition. What does this mean?!
**Outfit : Needs to be the outfit you intend to perform finals in. A lot of girls buy tryout outfits from the store the LineUp. This is a great way to get custom dance attire in any color you want!
- http://www.thelineup.net
**Wear a bright/ unique/ sparkly sports bra. Your outfit should stand out and be unique to you, so judges can easily remember you.
** Makeup and hair : Your makeup and hair should be done like you are performing. Fake eyelashes, eye makeup, lipstick, curled hair, extensions and and and..
** Tan: A lot of girls tan or spray tan before auditions. This is a GREAT thing to do. Personally nothing is worse than showing up in a sports bra and pants and being the whitest girl in the room haha. It really does give you more confidence and makes your body look good when you are tan! I highly recommend it.
3. Dancin'!
This is your opportunity to give everything you have... 110%!! This process for the first time can definitely be intimidating and scary. There are hundreds of "hot" girls, girls that were on the team, former NFL cheerleaders, and a 10 person panel of judges... even current and former football players! If you aren't expecting that, it's definitely a shock.
So be ready! There is a dance floor , so wear dance shoes that you are comfortable in.
Dance up front as much as possible. You want the judges to see you perform as many times as you can. Even as you are just learning the choreography.
SMILE!! Always be smiling, exude confidence! Look the judges in the eye, and perform like you are on the field, big moves, big smile, big personality.
** Semi Finals is a long day! So bring lots of food/ water/ and things to touchup your makeup and hair.
{OUTLINE OF SEMI FINALS}
- Checkin with auditions form and picture. Receive a #- Start stretching, checking makeup and hair often
- Across the Floor: First dance you perform is taught
- In 3's you perform in front of the judges
- FIRST CUT- after everyone performs the judges deliberate and cut the hundreds of girls down to around 100.
- Second Dance: You learn a pretty lengthy dance on the spot. Be ready to learn choreography. Stand in a spot you can see clearly/ up front
- Perform your second dance in groups of 3
- FINAL CUT - Judges deliberate again for the last time to choose the top 60 girls to move on to finals.
One of the biggest thing I've learned throughout this process is confidence! You need to be confident in yourself, your dance ability, and the fact that you are deserving of a spot on the team. You are good enough, pretty enough, strong enough and can offer something special. You will never regret giving everything you have.. so put it all on the dance floor!
------------- My next blog post will go over the week of final tryouts and the live final show -----------
