We’ve been contacted by folks casting cheerleaders for a commercial to be shown in Japan. (I can’t say the name of the company, but trust me it’s big and everyone knows it.)

Here are the details:

It is a SAG commercial and the rate is SAG scale for 9+ groups ($317.40/8 hours). There is a possibility that the talent might also be chosen for a print campaign and that pays an additional $500 flat (usage and time -although it is not expected to go past the original 8 hours). The commercial will air in Japan and the SAG rate is an additional $317.40 for the usage to air the commercial. The shoot will be one day between Sept 11-13. Please note, if it falls on the 11th, a Sunday, the talent get paid double for the commercial shoot, but print remains the same)
*Auditions will be Wednesday, August 31st, probably be a park in Studio City.

* Must be legal 18 (18+ or emancipated).

* Casting Caucasians and Hispanics ages 18-25.

* The commercial will shoot in Los Angeles and all talent need to be locals.

Interested? Email me (james@procheerleaderblog.com) for contact info.

The team recently postponed their auditions to a future date to be determined. I wondered why, until I came across this job posting. It looks like after five years as a Heat Dancer and another ten years as the team’s Director, Janine Thompson is heading off in another direction. Janine did an awesome job as the Director, taking them from run of the mill to one of the most popular dance teams in the NBA. I’m sure she will be greatly missed.

In the meantime, you know how it goes. Off with the old, on with the new. I wouldn’t be surprised if the organization already had their eye on a Heat or Dolphins alum for the position, but hey, you never know who will wind up with it. Whoever they select will have big shoes to fill.

*****JOB POSTING*****
(click here to view posting on Careerbuilder.com)

Position: Manager, Miami HEAT Dancers
Location: 601 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
Employee Type: Part-Time
Industry: Entertainment
Manages Others: Yes
Job Type: Other
Education: High School
Experience: At least 3 year(s)
Division: Human Resources
Post Date: 7/21/2011
Contact Information: John Cervera

Essential Job Functions:

• Act as a liaison between the Miami HEAT Dance Team and the HEAT front office
• Recruit viable candidates for the Miami HEAT Dancers
• Coordinate the annual Miami HEAT Dancer Audition
• Will provide input and recommendations as to the hiring, firing and performance evaluations of employees on the dance team
• Investigate and notify Director, Game Operations and Special Events and Marketing Manager on matters of significance that relate to the Miami HEAT Dancers
• Coordinate choreography for all dance team performances and routines, establish game formations, and develop talent of dancers
• Schedule and manage rehearsals
• Work with Game Operations/Marketing on music selection and edits
• Work with Game Operations/Marketing to design and create costuming for the Miami HEAT Dancers
• Maintain inventory of costumes, props and accessories
• Manage all game night activities for Miami HEAT Dancers
• Responsible for maintaining dancer rehearsal hours and submitting to Marketing Manager for payroll processing
• Maintain good attendance and punctuality at all rehearsals, games and scheduled events.
• Special projects as assigned

Essential Requirements:

• Strong background in dance and choreography in a variety of styles, with emphasis on jazz and hip-hop
• Has good understanding of The HEAT Group Marketing strategies and team philosophies
• Able to connect with and understand the Miami HEAT fans
• Has an established knowledge of the NBA and the NBA standards
• Has management experience with strong leadership skills
• Must be able to work extended and/or irregular hours including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.
• Work well within a collaborative group environment, build chemistry and have a strong sense of team
• Detail-oriented with excellent communication skills
• Able to take creative direction and feedback

Minimum requirement of high school diploma or general education degree (GED), college degree preferred. Additionally, a minimum of 3-5 years of choreography experience. Ability to follow oral and written instructions and communicate with others in both oral and written form. Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers and the general public. Must be fluent in English. Fluency in Spanish is desirable.

The Dance Team Manager is responsible for the choreography for all entertainment teams to include, but not limited to, the Thunder Girls and Rain Drops and reports to the Director, Events & Entertainment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Act as a liaison between the dance teams and the Thunder front office
• Choreograph all dance team performances and routines
• Schedule and direct rehearsals
• Select and produce performance music
• Conduct auditions and interviews with front office staff to select dancers for both teams
• Work with front office staff to design and create costuming/uniforms for both dance teams
• Attend all Thunder games to monitor performances
• Develop and sustain a strong relationship with local dance studios
• Work together with Thunder sponsors, community partners and broadcast partners
• Pursue, schedule and choreograph (if necessary) out-of-arena appearances for both dance teams
• Responsible for payroll for all groups
• Special projects as assigned
• Maintain good attendance and punctuality
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Requirements:
• College degree preferred
• Has strong background in jazz and hip-hop dance and choreography
• Has good understanding of Oklahoma City Thunder marketing, strategies and team philosophies
• Able to connect with and understand the Oklahoma City Thunder fans
• Has an established knowledge of the NBA and the NBA standards
• Has management experience with strong leadership skills
• Must be able to work under pressure, well with a group, build chemistry and have a strong sense of team
• Understands that the Events & Entertainment show directly reflects on the image of the team as well as the NBA
• Ability to work weekends and evenings – flexible schedule
• Detail-oriented with excellent communication skills
• Able to take creative direction and feedback

This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Director, Events & Entertainment.

Apply online here.

Hartford Colonials Cheerleaders

The Hartford Colonials of the United Football League are searching for a Cheerleader Director.

Candidates will have:

Professional or collegiate coaching experience or participation.
Experience with choreography.
The ability to handle the management of a cheerleading team, appearances and be able to run all practices and game day operations relating to the cheerleaders.

At the time of the interview candidates will need to have a headshot, resume, three references and a video reel showing some of their choreography.

All interested candidates can forward their resume and information to Jeremy Lisch at Jeremy.lisch@ufl-football.com

The folks from MTV contacted us about this opportunity. It looks like it will be a great experience, lots of fun, and an opportunity to make a difference for a group of high school kids. It’s collegiate style cheer rather than dance, but I know many of you have experience with both. ~sasha

MTV Networks is looking for a peppy cheerleading coach between the ages of 25-35 who is willing to relocate to southern Missouri for 5-6 weeks, to turn a disorganized, uninspired high school cheerleading squad into the best cheer squad around. Filming is scheduled to begin tentatively around April 3. Interested Coaches should be energetic, charismatic, and have experience working with teens in boosting confidence. Coaches should also have strong credentials (tumbling, competitive or professional cheerleading experience a plus) and be available during our shooting weeks. Send pictures, resume or bio and any cheer links to MADECoaches@mtv.com.

The Hartford Colonials football team is currently seeking a coach for the 2011 cheerleading squad.

Candidates must have previous experience in working with cheer and/or dance teams, preferably in a professional sports environment. Responsibilities include managing a team of 32 cheerleaders, organize and coordinate auditions, prepare schedule for rehearsals and community appearances, and be present for all home games.

“The groundwork has been established in the Hartford market,” said Billie O’Hara, UFL Cheer and Dance Development Director. “We are looking for the perfect fit to lead the Hartford Colonials Cheerleaders in 2011 and beyond.”

Interested applicants should send resume, headshot and two letters of recommendation along with a highlight reel, link or video of their work to Billie O’Hara at tuskerscheer@gmail.com.

The search is underway for a Cheer / Dance Director for the United Football League team that will begin play in Virginia when the league’s third season kicks off in 2011.

UFL Cheer and Dance Development Director Billie O’Hara is beginning the process of searching for a qualified director and putting together the league’s next professional Cheerleading team in the Virginia expansion market. The process is expected to last two months, allowing the UFL to hold auditions for cheerleaders in March 2011.

“This person will have the responsibility of putting the strongest possible team of women on the field, who will truly represent the great state of Virginia and their professional football team,” said O’Hara. “The Director will be responsible for choreography and will also need to illustrate the organizational skills needed off the field.”

The coordinator should be based out of the Tidewater region and candidates are expected to have previous experience in working with professional cheerleading / dance teams, preferably at the professional sports level. They must be able to manage a team of 32 cheerleaders / dancers, organize and coordinate auditions, prepare schedules for rehearsals and must be present for all home games.

All interested participants must send a headshot, resume and letters of recommendation along with a highlight reel, link, or video of their work to Billie O’Hara at tuskerscheer@gmail.com.

“This is an amazing opportunity to be apart of the next best thing in professional sports,” added O’Hara. “It is a great chance to help build the Virginia franchise from the ground up.”

The NBA Oklahoma City Thunder are looking for a new Dance Team Manager for the Thunder Girls.

Interested parties can send their resume/cover letter to Sabrina Ellison sellison@thunder-nba.com