The Westside Gazette
By Tamara G

One of South Florida’s very own is coming back home and in a BIG way! Actress Syndee Winters, who graduated from Miami Palmetto Senior High School and attended Miami Dade College, Kendall campus, is now called Nala (at least when she’s in the touring production of The Lion King, which is coming to the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami May 15-June 10. That’s because she has the starring role as the adult Nala, the future wife of Simba, the big cat in the production.

It’s a role that Winters, 25, says she was born to play. “When The Lion King movie first came out, I knew then that I wanted to play Nala because I was born to sing the song ‘Shadowland’. When I moved to New York, my agent got me a tryout for the Broadway version of TLK back in 2007, but I never got a callback. I thought it wasn’t my time. Three years later, I got another call to tryout again and I’ve been on tour with TLK for two years now.”

Before moving to New York, she taught at several South Florida dance studios and also lent her talents to teaching dance to inner-city youth. She also was a background dancer in several Reggaeton videos that were shot here. Says Winters, “I started my formal dance training when I was 15, in high school, when it was still free and available in high school.” She laments the fact that schools are taking the arts out of the curriculum.

After her move up north, she became a Knicks City dancer for The New York Knicks, performing during halftime shows. Though dancing, singing and acting came naturally to her, Winters says after she didn’t get that first callback, she hired a vocal coach and took up more acting classes to hone her skills so that she would really be ready when the call came again—and it did.

And that brings us back to why she’s returned home to South Florida—her starring role in TLK. So has life changed for her and those around her in how they treat her now that she’s a Broadway star? Winters replies, “Friends from school find me on Facebook and congratulate me and that’s fantastic, but the folks who’ve known me for my entire life, like my best, best friend-she stays with a needle in her hand—ready to pop that bubble whenever my head gets too big.” She adds, “But when I come home, there are some people that I have to see, no matter what.”

So what’s in store for Winters after TLK finally wraps up after years of touring from city to city? She says, “You know how when you’re younger, you always say ‘I want to be a famous singer’ or ‘I want every-one to know me and I want to be rich.’ Now what I want is to do more TV and film work, another Broadway show, and continue working on my own solo music project…. I want to do whatever comes my way.”

Anna Marden
The Boston Globe
5/21/2012

Dancers hoping to be selected for a coveted spot on the Celtics dance team attended a workshop May 20 to help them prepare for the tryouts next month.

About 45 girls turned out for the workshop, where current Celtics Dancers taught them a routine and gave tips on how to get ready before the auditions.

Auditions take place at the end of June and will be held in Boston, New York and Los Angeles. Visit the Celtics Dancers’ audition webpage for more information.

[photo gallery]

RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to:

• Schedule and coordinate all performance team auditions and workshops. Includes assisting with marketing efforts, leading recruiting efforts, choreographing audition dance routines and conducting interviews.
• Responsible for executing the Houston Rockets’ creative vision and ensuring the teams adhere to organizational standards.
• Responsible for all performance teams’ paperwork – new hire, payroll, etc.
• Maintain budgets for performance teams.
• Maintain files for revenue-generating performance events (camps and clinics).
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities for assigned staff in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include: training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing issues and solving problems and regularly communicating with staff.
• Choreograph routines performed at home games throughout the Rockets season as well as special events; teach routines to ensure all team members are prepared to meet performance expectations.
• Schedule, organize, conduct and manage rehearsals; ensure all team members are adequately prepared to perform.
• Provide design, order, organize and maintain uniforms for all performance teams.
• Design photo shoots and print items process for each team.
• Direct performers at all home games, rehearsals and special events.
• Attend all games, clinics, camps, etc. and monitor quality of performances.
• Maintain the professionalism of the performance teams by monitoring hair, make-up, physical fitness and on and off the court behavior.
• Establish all sponsor-able items for performers (i.e. stylists, gym memberships, skin care, teeth whitening, tanning, etc.).
• Coordinate performance teams promotional appearances on a regular basis; communicates team appearance dates, times, etc. to all team members.
• Assist in generating new ideas for performance teams. This includes new music, choreography, theme performances, etc.
• Demonstrates our One Team philosophy of Passion, Accountability, Customer Focus and Teamwork.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum three years of professional dance team experience.
• High School diploma or GED required; college degree preferred
• Skill in the creation and execution of dance routines for public performances.
• Must have a strong knowledge of several dance styles.
• Strong live entertainment background.
• Has to be able to balance a corporate structure and creative entertainment world.
• Needs to be able to work well with others in a team oriented environment.
• Must be able to lead and motivate dancers.
• Needs to be able to quickly assemble performances in any space.
• Must be able to read audiences and adjust performances accordingly.
• Flexibility with an often-evolving schedule of events, appearances, games, etc.
• Detail oriented with excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent administrative and time management skills.
• Able to meet tight deadlines and work effectively in a high pressure environment.
• Familiar with today’s trends in music and fashion.
• Excel at motivating performers and leading by example.
• Must be able to work evenings and weekends as required.

PHYSICAL & MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, walk, use handle or feel, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk and hear.
• The vision requirement includes close vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Nature of position requires physical mobility and the ability to lift a minimum of 20 pounds.
• Must have ability to adjust to changing work hours and locations as needed.

Note: When you apply for this job online, you will be required to answer the following questions:

1. Can you provide us with a demo reel?

[Apply for this position]

Click here to check out the San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancers on SportsIllustrated.com!

[Nets Dancers Auditions]

The Laker Girls have long been considered the “gold standard” for NBA dance teams and they are an amazing sight to be seen in person.  It is a rare treat to see then up close and personal, so I try to take every opportunity to photograph them when I can.  And this past Sunday, I did!

The NBA Nation tour stopped off in Los Angeles over Mother’s Day weekend and featured interactive games, contests and NBA player appearances.  But for me, the highlight of the festivities were the appearances by the Clippers Spirit dance team and the Laker Girls.

Continue reading The Laker Girls at NBA Nation

The Detroit Pistons are looking for dancers with the “total package.” We are looking for dancers who are positive, talented, energetic and have great personalities.

Location:
The Palace of Auburn Hills
6 Championship Drive
Auburn Hills, MI 48326

Registration begins at 8:00 AM
Auditions start at 9:00 AM
*All participants must be 18 years or older by October 1, 2012

Initial Audition Saturday July 28th
Semi Finals Sunday 29th
DPD Boot Camp July 31 & August 2nd

Judges will be looking for the following criteria for Detroit Pistons Dancers

Dance Ability
Physical Appearance
Personality
Self-confidence
Energy
Poise
Team Player
Knowledge of Pistons and basketball

Get paid to do what you love (rehearsals, games and appearances are paid) You will not only dance the Pistons basketball games you will a get a chance to perform with award winning artists during our incredible halftime shows. Last season’s halftime shows included: Taio Cruz, Tpain, Flo Rida, Travie McCoy,Jay Sean, Temptations, Gladys Night, Dougie Fresh, Rose Royce, Robyn S, Salt & Pepa, Mc Hammer, Black Sheep , Bell Biv Devo, 112 and many more.

[Complete Audition Information Including online Registration]

The Los Angeles Clippers recent run in the NBA playoffs have energized the city in ways that it has never been before.  With the high flying dunks of Blake Griffin and the arrival of future hall of fame point guard Chris Paul, the Clippers have brought a new excitement that has been lacking with the Lakers recent play.

There’s a new sheriff in town and he wears red, white and blue.

Continue reading The Clippers Spirit at NBA Nation