ProCheerBlog enlists the help of real pro cheerleaders and dancers to give us their advice, tips and insight into performing with today’s world class professional squads. Donyell Browne is one of the industry’s well-rounded performers.
Donyell - Pro Dancer, NBA Choreographer
She spent many seasons dancing with the NBA’s Phoenix Suns Dancers, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury Hip Sop Squad, AFL’s Arizona Rattlers Sidewinders and Las Vegas Gladiators, and now along with being a sought-after judge for NBA dance auditions, she also choreographs for several pro teams, including the Golden State Warrior Girls.
Check out Donyell’s choreography on the court:
Donyell’s Porfessional Dance Team Audition Tips
Basketball season just wrapped and all NFL auditions have come to and end. Which means the next big thing is NBA auditions. These auditions vary from team to team, so do your research. Audition dates start as early as May and last up until late August. All it takes is a few minutes to visit www.nba.com and find the team that you desire to work and look up their game night entertainment section.
If an NBA team is what you desire to be a part of, this is only the beginning of the journey on how to “Make the Squad”. Here’s some helpful advice that I have followed myself and learned over the years from dancing, choreographing, and judging several NBA auditions.
Preparation: This is the most complex and stressful part of getting ready for an audition which can be only 1 day or some teams take it up to 1 week.
Physical Fitness/Body Tone: It is what it is, you see current dancers and how important a healthy lean physique is. NBA fans see you close up, so that means you have to look great in a crop top and “booty” shorts. Flat, toned abs and solid, lean legs are very important. Check out the site of the team you want to audition for and see how their current team looks physically. If you do or can look like that you are in good shape. If you are way out of that reach, you may need to consult a trainer or begin a good fitness regimen. If you allow yourself enough prep time, on audition day you can look and feel great.
Dance Technique/Skill: NBA dancers are usually extremely athletic, demanding various styles of dance from their dance team. If you have been a cheerleader all your life and never taken dance, you need to get into jazz technique classes, hip-hop, leaps and turns style classes. Now, I’m not saying that cheerleaders can’t dance (because I grew up a cheerleader), but typically I have found that a lot cheerleaders fall short of grasping multiple dance styles and lack technical training. Just about all NBA dance teams have pre-audition prep classes that you can attend with no bias to get ready for the style that is expected for their team.
The Look - Hair and Make-up: Now this is tricky too. There is never a perfect way. I advise that you view the previous teams’ look. See how the director liked her dancers to wear their hair, and how they applied their make-up. Some teams like Natural glam, others might like Diva glam. Natural Glam: natural hair color, and hair styles that might be straightened or loose curls. Make-up: natural lip shades, with skin-tone blush and shadows. Diva Glam: big teased hair, usually including extensions. Make-up: big false lashes, dark eyes, and bold lips. Every team preference is different, so make sure you have done your research to look like that particular teams’ image.
The Outfit: First, find out the requirements that the director says that you are obligated to wear. Because NBA dancers usually wear very little clothing, you are almost always asked to wear a crop top and hot pants/bikini briefs at the minimum to audition. Also, realize you will be one of 150 to 500 girls at the auditions, depending on the popularity of your NBA team. That means you need a bold flashy, sparkly outfit that embodies your personality. You must feel comfortable and sexy in this outfit or it can actually ruin your whole audition. Meaning, if you are not in the best shape to fit your outfit, if it is falling apart, or if the colors/patterns are completely wrong for your complexion, these can be very detrimental to your audition experience. The judges know when you are uncomfortable with your look and how you feel in your outfit. It’s best to really spend a lot of time planning this portion out. In the end, your outfit can really help you stand out in the crowd of dancer hopefuls. When searching the web, you can type in several topics like: dancer costumes, audition attire, etc. to find websites that cater to this. Here are just a few that I’ve found to be helpful for getting ideas: flashynfit.com, thelineup, DallasWear, and Zonas Designs to start.
Audition Day/Week: This is what you have been prepping months for so make sure that you get the appropriate time off work for this. Audition day can run 6 – 8hrs. You hope for this because that means you are still in the running for making the team. Get a good night’s rest the day before, bring plenty of fluids, and back-up makeup and hair products. Make sure you always keep a positive attitude and smile on your face. (Tip: So many girls forget judges are checking you out even when you are not dancing). We have cut girls for their poor attitude to other girls without them even knowing why! In the end, if you can’t treat the girls you’re auditioning with respectfully, you will fail to treat your fellow teammates and director with respect either.
You are doing awesome if you make it to day 2, which is usually the interview process. Now just like a job, be honest and be yourself. Fakes can be figured out quickly, so you want them to know your personality because that is what makes you unique. Once again, you are still being watched so still keep up all your positive energy.
By the end of the week, the NBA team’s new dance squad is usually announced. Usually NBA teams take between 14 – 20 girls depending on your city. That means only a very small percentage of those trying out will earn a spot on the team. If this year doesn’t happen for you, don’t give up! It has happened to the best of dancers (even myself) having the humility of being cut. As they say, “What doesn’t harm you can only make you stronger”, and you best believe that is true!
Be Fierce!
Donyell
Donyell’s dance credits include: Phoenix Suns Dancers 1997-2001, Phoenix Mercury Hip Hop Squad 1999-2001, Las Vegas Gladiator Girls 2003-2004, Arizona Rattlers Sidewinders 2006-2007
Her choreography credits include: Golden State Warrior Girls since 2006, Portland Trailblazers Dancers 2007, Seattle Supersonics Dance Team & Storm Hip Hop squad 2003-2005, Phoenix Suns Dancers 1998-2001, Phoenix Mercury Hip Hop Squad 1999-2001, Las Vegas Gladiator Girls 2003, Arizona Rattlers Sidewinders 2006-2007
Are you a pro cheerleader or dancer with advice for aspiring professional cheerleaders? email us! procheerblogteam [at] gmail [dot] com
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