Northern Arizona University Dance Information and Audition Packet 2018 2019 Audition Dates: Friday, April 13th and Saturday, April 14th, 2018 NAU s Health and Learning Center (Bldg #25) LUMBERJACK ATHLETICS www.nauathletics.com
About the Program: The NAU Dance Program is a great way to become actively involved within the University while meeting new people. Members will be dancing at all home football and basketball games as well as special event appearances. The FIRST priority of the NAU Dance team is to support NAU Athletics. The NAU Dance team has placed in the top 10 in hip-hop and in the top 15 in Jazz at the Division I level each year at Nationals and were back to back national hip hop champions at USA Nationals in 2013 and 2014. During the 2016 2017 season, the team received 3 rd in jazz and were NATIONAL CHAMPIONS at UDA College Nationals in Division 1 Hip Hop, making it the most successful year in the team s history! This past year the team placed in the top five in both the jazz and hip hop categories. We are proud of our success at UDA and USA College Nationals and hope to continue to rise nationally in the years to come. Universal Dance Association (UDA) National Collegiate Championship Orlando, Florida Disney World January Competitions Attended at Coaches Discretion: Universal Spirit Association (USA) College Nationals Anaheim, California Anaheim Convention Center March As members of the NAU Athletic Program, the dance team will receive priority enrollment, academic assistance via the athletics study hall, strength and conditioning coaches, uniforms and four tickets to all home football games and two tickets to all home basketball games. Come tryout for the team and become part of a wonderful athletic program. There is a $40 NON-REFUNDABLE tryout fee due at the tryout check-in on Friday (new candidates only). Check or cashier s checks are preferred. Please make checks out to NAU Athletics. No credit cards accepted.
NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY DANCE TEAM The NAU Dance team is committed to becoming one of the premier dance programs in the nation. At games and on the competition floor, the Lumberjack Dance Team has been turning heads for many years. Join us for the 201-2018 - 2019 s Dance Team tryouts on April 13th and April 14th, 2018. INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTION: 1. As an athletic program, each participant is responsible for a fundraising contribution of $1800 for the NAU Spiritline Foundation Account. Solicitation letters will be provided after the teams are announced that can be sent to family and friends. We are thankful for the support that NAU Athletics provides us with strength and conditioning coaches, academic assistance, priority registration, access to the team doctor and training room and uniforms. The donations received helps support transportation to and from College Nationals, clothing for the season and hotel accommodations and travel expenses to in-state NAU games. 2. Each participant will commit approximately 20 hours per week for practice, strength and conditioning, games, and promotional events. School is your first priority followed by being a part of the dance team. Work and other extracurricular activities must not interfere with your commitment to the team. 3. The Dance team may have the opportunity to travel to conference playoff games and select away contests. 4. Other commitments will be announced as they arise. GENERAL INFORMATION: 1. In addition to regularly scheduled practices, strength and conditioning practices are also included as mandatory practices. Periodic testing will be administered by the strength and conditioning staff. 2. In addition to practice and strength and conditioning, each team member will be required to attend a team technique class with dates and times to be determined. 3. The priority of each NAU Dance member is to support and dance at NAU Athletic events. Outside appearances and competitions are secondary and at the discretion of the coaches and director. 4. Each NAU Dance member must be enrolled as a full-time student at NAU and carry 15 credit hours per semester. In addition, a 2.0 cumulative grade point average must be maintained each semester. All freshmen and transfer students may have to participate in NAU Athletics Study Hall for their first year (regardless of their academic status). This is at the discretion of the coaches and director. 5. All NAU Dance members will participate with the NAU Athletics drug testing policy. 6. All interested participants must have applied and been accepted to Northern Arizona University. 7. Being a fulltime student at CC2NAU does not qualify you to compete on the NAU Dance Team. 8. Each participant will receive four complimentary tickets per game for all football, and two complimentary tickets for all basketball home games. 9. Each Dance Team member is required to adhere to the Code of Conduct outlined by the Athletic Department and is located in each team members Athletic Handbook. It is the responsibility of the team member to read the handbook and be familiar with all rules and regulations. PRACTICE SCHEDULE: 1. Practices for dance are held Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. T/TH will be from 8:00-10:30pm and Friday from 5:00-8:00pm at the NAU Health and Learning Center. Strength and Conditioning and/or team technique class times will be announced at a later date. Tentative times are subject to change.
2018-2019 NAU DANCE AUDITION AUDITION SCHEDULE AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD IN NAU HEALTH AND LEARNING CENTER FRIDAY AND SATURDAY FRIDAY: APRIL 15, 2016 SATURDAY: APRIL 16, 2016 3:30-4:00 PM Check-in Time Assigned Physical w/team doctor 4:00-4:30 PM Warm-up 10:00-11:00 am Interviews 4:30-5:00 PM Technique/First Cut 11:00 am-1:00 pm Practice Final Audition Pieces 5:00-5:30 PM Learn Sideline 1:00-2:00 pm Final Audition 5:30-6:15 PM Sideline/Second Cut 2:30 Team Announced 6:30-7:15 PM Solo Auditions 2:45 Mandatory Team Meeting/Fitting 7:30 PM Third Cut Announced 7:40 PM Learn Final Audition Pieces What to wear: black bootie shorts and a form fitted top for jazz portion of the audition. Sweatpants/leggings and hip hop appropriate shoes for the hip hop portion. Baggy/loose clothing is only permitted during hip hop portion of the audition. Half tops are not required but encouraged. Let us see your NAU school spirit. THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA WILL BE USED IN JUDGING AUDITION: You will be asked to execute the skills listed below for auditions. In addition to the skills listed, you will be observed during the tryout on your appearance, ability to learn, enthusiasm, projection, technique, showmanship and overall performance. We will be looking for your ability and potential to become a collegiate dancer and participate in our program. Appearance/personality Overall crowd appeal Strength of performance Sideline Filler Routine Dance technique/across the floor combinations to include: - quadruple pirouettes (more preferred) jazz, coupe and other combination of turns - Fouettes, a la seconds, changing spot and reverse - Switch leaps, center leaps, switch center, single stag and other various leaps - Leg hold turns (doubles preferred) - Flexibility- Pitches & Battement - Headsprings, kip-ups, headstand, handstand, rubber-bands - Ariel (RECOMMENDED) Choreographed jazz dance Choreographed sideline filler/chant Choreographed hip hop dance RETURNEES: You will be expected to perform at a higher standard than other candidates, being that you have been a part of the NAU program for at least one year. In addition to standard tryout requirements, you will also be judged on attitude, work ethic, integrity and character that you displayed over the course of the year by the coaches. The team will include up to 20 members. Everyone who is eligible will attend College Nationals. ***ALL MATERIAL WILL BE TAUGHT AT THE AUDITION*** IMPORTANT INFORMATION All candidates that make the 1 st cut of auditions must prepare a short routine that showcases their individual strengths. This is a time for you to demonstrate your performance and technical ability as an individual. You will perform this routine after the 1 st cuts are announced on Friday evening. This routine can be in any of the following styles jazz, hip hop, lyrical, ballet or pom, Your routine should be a minimum of one minute and no longer than one minute 30 seconds. Please bring your music with you on Friday at check in so that we can have it ready for your audition. Your music does not need to be cut, please just know note where you would like us to start it for you. Music can be on a CD or ipod.
NAU DANCE AUDITION CHECKLIST THE FOLLOWING ITEMS MUST BE TURNED IN (completed with all information needed and signatures) FOR YOUR NAU AUDITION PACKET TO BE PROCESSED AND CONSIDERED COMPLETE (keep this form to check off those items you have completed): Application for Northern Arizona University Dance Team Photocopy of NAU ID card (if current NAU student) A copy of acceptance letter to NAU (if not currently a NAU student) A copy of your current (unofficial) transcript from LOUIE (if current NAU student). A photocopy of your Health Insurance Card (front and back) For new applicants: One letter of recommendation from a prior dance instructor or coach For new applicants: Dance resume Signed copy of the Expectation List (located on page 10) $40 Tryout Fee (No Cash will be accepted) Head Shot (senior portrait/current picture) and 2 action photos (dancing, leaping, tumbling, stunting, etc.
Audition Packets Due Wednesday, April 4 th, 2017 In order to be considered for auditions, all attached forms must be mailed or turned in to the NAU Athletics Department in the Skydome (Eastside) by 5:00 PM Wednesday, April 4 th, 2017. All forms should be turned in as attn: Cassie Foss and Kaitlyn Rini. You will receive a confirmation email with hotel, parking, and maps upon receipt of your audition packet. If you do not receive this email by Thursday, April 7th, 2018 please contact Cassie Foss at Cassandra.Laughlin@nau.edu or Kaitlyn Rini at kmr383@nau.edu to make sure we have received your tryout packet. Mailing address: (regular mail) FedEx (or mail that cannot be sent to a PO box) NAU Dance Program NAU Dance Program Attn: Cassie Foss and Kaitlyn Rini Attn: Cassie Foss and Kaitlyn Rini PO Box 15400 1 Skydome Drive Flagstaff, AZ. 86011 Flagstaff, AZ 86001 VIDEO AUDITIONS: You may audition for the NAU Dance Team by video. Please make sure that this is in a DVD format. You will need to include across the floor technique, a short jazz routine and a short hip hop routine. Please send your completed packet and video to the address above. If chosen for the team you will receive a phone call from Cassie Foss or Kaitlyn Rini within 24 hours of the completion of auditions.
NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY DANCE TEAM APPLICATION Name: NAU Student ID # Year in School for the 18-19 season (i.e. Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior) Current Email: Birthdate:_ Home (Parent s) Address: Home Phone Number: _() Cell Phone Number: _() NAU Address (if applicable): NAU Phone Number (if applicable): _() Were you on a dance team prior to this tryout? Yes No If yes, please list school Dance individual/team accomplishments: What dance experience have you had that has prepared you to be a NAU Dancer? (please list schools, studios, team name, style of dance, years involved in dance) Why do you want to become a member of the NAU Dance Team?
What do you think are the most important qualities you have that will make you a good applicant for the NAU Dance Team? I agree that the selection of the cheer and dance teams will be performed by the director, coaches and selected judges of the NAU Dance Team. I will respect the decision of the coaches and accept the final outcome of the audition. Name (printed) Signature Date
NAU DANCE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE NAU DANCE TEAM The NAU Dance Team s main responsibility is to support and perform at all basketball and football games throughout the year. NAU Dance also performs and participates at all athletics events such as bonfires, pep rallies and tailgating events. The team is also involved with the community participating in Red Ribbon Week, student-athlete for a day, helping various high school dance teams in Flagstaff, working with Special Olympics, Relay for Life and the Flagstaff Family Food Center. Keep in mind that our activities do not stop during the Winter Break. In addition, when we are preparing for Nationals, additional practices will be held. Prospective members will also be responsible for returning to Flagstaff before school begins to participate in dance camp and practice. Dates and times will be determined during summer. Prospective members should also have a positive work ethic, respect for self and others, and be dedicated to representing the university and the team in a professional manner. We ask that you be able to commit to ALL team practices, performances and games. The NAU dance team does participate in a lot of cheering and spirit raising techniques, we are here to cheer on our fellow athletes. All members must be in good physical condition to properly handle the intense physical training and performance schedule while maintaining this fitness level throughout the season. The NAU Dance Team does have a trainer that will meet with the team twice a week for workouts; however each member must be committed to being in good physical condition. A summer workout regiment will be provided for every dancer at tryouts to help all team members throughout the summer. As an athletic program, each participant is responsible for a fundraising contributions of $1800 for the NAU Spiritline Foundation Account. Solicitation letters will be provided after the teams are announced that can be sent to family and friends. We are thankful for the support that NAU Athletics provides us with strength and conditioning coaches, academic assistance, priority registration, access to the team doctor and training room and uniforms and practice attire. The donations received help support transportation to and from UDA and USA College Nationals; choreography for nationals, national s costumes, hotel accommodations and registration for both USA and UDA college nationals. All donations directly support the competition aspect of our program. Dance Camp - Las Vegas, Nevada August 2 nd - 4 th $320.00 per person in addition to the above individual contribution The team will be attending camp in Las Vegas during the dates above. Camp is optional, this is however, a great opportunity to learn new material and get to know your teammates. All members who elect to attend camp must provide their own transportation to and from the camp. The above fee covers registration, hotel and food for the three days of camp. Camp will start on the 2 nd at 10am and end on the 4th at 4pm. We will be bidding for USA Nationals during camp; it is our hope to win a bid to pay for our trip to USA Nationals in March. If you make the team following tryouts, I will be asking for who is able to attend the camp above. If you have any questions about this audition or would like more specific information about the dance team please contact: Cassie Foss cassandra.laughlin@nau.edu Kaitlyn Rini kmr383@nau.edu Thank you for considering our program and we look forward to seeing you at auditions.
NAU Dance Team Expectations List This list outlines the expectations of members of the NAU Dance Team. If for any reason throughout the season a member is not adhering to any of these expectations they can be removed from the team. This is in effect to ensure that all members are working to reach the same standards and to create a positive team environment. Attend all practices Attend all games that are required Be on time for all games, practices and activities Present yourself in a professional manner at all times when representing Northern Arizona University Have a positive attitude at all games, practices and activities Be energetic in all aspects of performance at games and activities This is a team environment; so each member shall do/participate in everything that we do as a team is in respect to supporting Northern Arizona University Attend all summer and winter practices Attend college nationals Be able to perform all game action material correctly and consistently Adhere to the Athletic department Code of Conduct Attend all team workouts Be on time to all team work outs Be respectful to coaching staff and teammates Come to practice ready to work Be prepared! Anything that is not specifically listed above that falls within the standards set forth by the NAU Athletic Department and the NAU Dance Team will also be expected from each collegiate athlete. I fully understand the above expectations and take full responsibility in the event that any of these items are violated. NAME SIGNATURE HEAD COACH SIGNATURE DATE DATE DATE