How to audition for a NBA dance team, according to experts

The NBA dancer title is coveted by hosts of young artists, and every summer, the teams have open auditions for new members. With a diversity of styles, from heels to hip hop to POM, each NBA dance team offers its own unique attraction.

For candidates without previous experience in a university or professional dance team, the audition process for these squads can be discouraging. To start, there are no two auditions, from one team to another. Many of them include video rounds on video and person, an interview and a final event. Then there are the things they should consider, such as hearing clothes, makeup, hair, personal brand and more.

Dance spirit He spoke with three current and previous dancers of the NBA to learn his best tips for the hearing process, from visualization to preparation classes, the brand and more.

Choose a team

When choosing equipment for hearing, it is important to know their priorities. Is it vital that you stay close to home? Do the causes of the team align with yours? Use Internet and social networks for your advantage by investigating squadrons and your dancers before the audition season begins. This could include communicating directly to dancers. In addition to sharing specific tips of the team, they can become friendly faces in a nearby audition.

Testing the Miami Heat dancers was an obvious for Julia if, who has just finished her rookie season in the team. A former Sunnsations dancer at the University of Miami, followed the Miami Heat dancers while he was in college, looking at his campaigns and promoting an appreciation for the dancers. “You could see how fierce and incredible were these women,” she says.

Another factor that attracted whether Miami Heat dancers was their professional dance progress program, which gives workshops, master classes and learning opportunities aimed at improving their careers out of dance. The program culminates in a competition for a subsidy of $ 10,000 to be used for a business idea or educational expenses. “I was lucky to be runner -up, and I won $ 5,000 this year,” he says. “It is an incredible opportunity to continue chasing other professions and passions that you have, and combining them with dance.”

For Kayla Cruz, six times NBA dancer and three times Captain, the Brooklynettes cultural and stylistically diverse were perfect. “The fact that we have so many cultures allows us to really learn from each other,” he says, and adds that they are the only NBA team where black women constitute most members. “I think that's something so beautiful,” she says. “That is something that definitely attracted me there, because as a Latin woman I could enter and really hug my culture and connect with others.”

Preparation is key

Each online hearing guide tells the dancers to prepare, prepare, prepare. But what does that really mean? Cruz knows one or two things about coming. In 2018, he auditioned for the Brooklynettes for the first time after doing a minimal investigation. “I remember being so exhausted,” he recalls. “It's such a long day, it can spend up to eight, nine hours.” After that experience, Cruz knew that he would give everything in 2019 knowing what to expect, and ended up doing the team. What else did she do differently?

That first year, Cruz discovered that he was distracted by details such as his makeup and presentation during the hearing. For his next attempt, he investigated and perfected the appearance of Brooklynette in advance, appearing ready to focus a laser on his dance instead of his appearance. Cruz also took full advantage of the Brooklynettes preparation class in the months prior to the hearing to prepare his brain to collect his choreography.

Hannah Anderson, five times Chicago Luvabulls dancer, recommends knowing the culture of the hometown of the team. “There is this family energy that comes from the west medium,” he says, and points out that she and her bulls Entertainment work also embody that feature. “As artists, we are reflecting the experience we have collectively in this city.”

Anderson says that the music and dance styles, which originated in Chicago, are important for the area and their dance culture. The Luvabulls make a point to integrate elements of the house into their choreography. “It really has an impact on the community,” she says.

Mental strength

Anderson emphasizes the importance of mental health during hearing. Visualization is one of her reference tools, and she uses it to imagine how she would like to feel throughout an upcoming audition: “How do you want to go through this process and how do you want to feel out of it?”

Anderson also makes a point to pay it, asking: “What are the things that audition veterans have done before to help me bother me?” Give compliments, offering check the choreography or sharing snacks (your option is a sweet salad, a mixture of several sweets thrown into a bowl or bag) are any way that it converts the audition environment into a safer and safety space. “If you want the space to be affirmative, motivating and positive, you can be the change in that room.”

If you recommend acclimatizing the audition space attending workshops or preparation clinics provided by the team. Using this method, an idea of the choreography of the dancers of Miami Heat was placed and met some of her future teammates, which helped her feel calmer and safely. “I think he gave me a healthier mind, knowing what to expect,” he says.

Higher tips

Kayla: “Approach your audition exactly how you would like to introduce yourself in the team.” Cruz says you must imagine exactly where you fit the team. It is a balance between mixing with the appearance of the equipment and adding its own style.

Julia: “It is very important to know your brand. When I say 'brand', I want to say what you bring to the table that is unique. What can you show during the auditions that no one else can?” If you add that this process looks different for everyone. In his case, he says that being an Asian woman with previous experience in the dance team made her stand out.

Hannah: “Be open to all experience.” Anderson says that fighting the nerves to keep in mind and making memories with their potential future teammates is an important part of the audition process. “No one is asking you to be perfect. No one asks you to have everything together, you will learn those things as you advance. You just have to be open to the experience to receive those things.”