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Audition Information |
| Interested in being a member of the Michigan Dance Team? Here you will find out what you need to know about the audition process and what it takes to be a Michigan Dance Team member. Being a part of the Michigan Dance Team is a wonderful experience but requires both time and money commitments (see below for details), so be aware that each member is fully dedicated to the team. For each season there are two tryout dates. The first tryout happens in the spring and the second in the fall. There is no difference in procedure for spring and fall auditions, but generally the team takes on more candidates in the spring than the fall; the fall tryout serves to round out the team for the new season. In the past, the Michigan Dance Team has accepted video auditions, but this is no longer the case. Video auditions will only be accepted for returning team members who are studying abroad and cannot make spring auditions. Spring auditions are the team's main audition, but for those candidates who cannot make spring auditions because they live out-of-state or have not confirmed their student status at the University and therefore have to audition in the fall are not at a significant disadvantage for the season. |
| Audition Process |
| Candidates will go through several rounds of auditioning before they are offered a spot on the team. The candidates go through two (2) cuts, an interview and a final audition. Candidates will be required to learn several routines which could be in any style from jazz to hip hop or pom or all three. For the first round of tryouts, candidates will go through a class-style audition using across-the-floor technique combinations as the basis for their assessment. They will also begin to learn one or more of the routines. At the end of the night, a cut will be made. The second round beings with an interview night where candidates will have a brief informal interview with the Leadership Team in order to better know the candidate. On the third night candidates will finish learning audition dances. Candidates will be assessed on their overall performance that day. Second cuts will be made at the end of this night. The third round of auditions consists of performing the required technique (see below) and the audition dances learned in the first two rounds. Candidates will be judged in pairs by a panel of outside judges. Candidates will be scored on their technique, style, performance and memorization. Candidates' scores will be tallied on-site that day and will be notified within 24 hours of the decision. This procedure is the same for both spring and fall auditions. |
| Required Technique |
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Time Commitment |
| The time commitment required to be on the team is extensive, but it is well worth it! The following is an approximation of the kind of time commitment you can expect through the different seasons, but keep in mind this is only an approximation! |
| Spring/Summer (May-August) |
| Practice: An intensive 7-10 days of practicing 5-7 hours/day. These 7-10 days serve to prepare the team for UDA Camp |
| UDA Summer Camp: 5 days at the UDA Summer Camp location. In 2004 the team traveled to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and in 2005 the team traveled to Northwestern University. This depends on the camp dates and what the camp has to offer the Michigan Dance Team. |
| Fall (September-December) |
| Practice: Tuesday/Thursday: 8-10:30PM; Friday: 1-4PM;
Sunday: 10-1PM (NOTE:
Additional practices WILL be scheduled during part of November and
all of December for those who make the National�s team. These
members will most likely be required to return early from Christmas
break for practice.) |
| Performance: 1-2/week on average. These performances include Football games, Basketball games, Welcome Week events, and additional campus events |
| Additional: Members will be expected to devote time to advertising, fundraising and team social events. |
| Winter (January-April) |
| UDA National Cheer and Dance Competition: 4 days in Orlando, Florida to compete. |
| Practice: Tuesday/Thursday: 8-10:30PM; Friday 1-4PM |
| Performance: January/February: 1-2/week; March: about 1/week; April: only about 1-2 performances total |
| Additional: Members will be expected to devote time to advertising, fundraising and team social events. |
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Money Commitment |
| The Michigan Dance Team is a Club Sport here are the University of Michigan. Our status as a Club Sport means limited funding for the team. As a result, team members provide the funding for the items not covered by the budget we receive from the University. The following details what is covered by the University and what is covered by the team. The Michigan Dance Team explores and pursues as many fundraising opportunities as possible, but often these events do not cover all expenses. This list is not set in stone, but does serve as a good estimator of costs for the year as a team member. The only cost listed here that is set in stone is the $100/month cost to be a part of this team. Because of the lack of sufficient funding, this is what each member must pay each month, collected bi-monthly, in order to cover expenses. |
| Expenses Covered by the Athletic Dept. and Club Sports |
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| Expenses Covered by Team Members |
| Team: $100 per month to cover additional expenses |
| Camp: $200 cost of camp + $100-150 cost of matching camp clothing + money for food and gas |
| Nationals: ? cost of competing + plane fare + ? hotel cost + $100-150 for each costume (possibly one for jazz and one for hip-hop) |
| Uniform Accessories: $30-40 team jazz shoes + $10 team earrings + $12 team dance tights + $ for poms + other necessary accessories |
| Practice Clothes: $30-40 practice jazz shoes + practice clothes of your choice |
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Please, if you have any questions about the audition process or the time or money commitment required for this team, do not hesitate to email Coach Valerie Stead-Potsos at DemiPlies@aol.com |