Auditions Open for Aspiring Raiderette Cheerleaders

By Janelle London
The Cal State Pioneer
March 10th, 2011

The Oakland Raiderettes have long been considered one of the most glamorous and recognizable professional cheerleading squads in the NFL, and soon they will be giving ambitious women from all over the world the chance to become one of “Football’s Fabulous Females.”

The Oakland Raiders will host preliminary auditions for the 2011-2012 Raiderettes at the Oakland Airport Hilton Hotel on April 10, with check-in beginning at 8 a.m.

“We have actually had some women who literally flew in from Japan to audition,” said Raiderettes Director Jeanette Thompson.

Last year, over 300 women auditioned at preliminaries, and the line started forming early, with hopefuls wanting to be the first in line.

“There are so many women that show up, and people do get there early, so I try to get there as early as I can,” said Raiderette hopeful Angela, who has auditioned three times, unsuccessfully. “The earlier you get there, the better for an earlier audition number.”

“I think in the past when I’ve tried out, I don’t think my confidence level was where it should have been to really make me stand out over everyone else,” she said. “I think that’s where I messed up, so this year my goal is to show the judges that I am confident and I can do this.”

So what does it take to stand out amidst hundreds of other beautiful women dolled up with curled hair, hot lipstick, long lashes and big smiles?

Thompson, a former 10-year veteran of the squad and entering her first year as director for the Raiderettes, says that standing out is all about being an individual and doing what works for you.

“Everyone is different, and everyone has their own presence,” said Thompson. “A woman may be even be shy, but that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t command attention when she walks in a room.”

“That is basically what the preliminary audition is about. It’s how you present yourself in a room,” she said. “Just show us your best you.”

If you are thinking about showing up and showing off at preliminary auditions, leave your dance shoes at home.

According to the Raiders website, attire for this portion of the auditions is “day time dresses, skirts or shorts.”

The preliminary audition will allow the panel of judges to see the candidates and hear them speak in front of the room. This is likely because the Raiderettes and NFL cheerleaders at large spend just as much time, if not more, representing their football club in the community as they do on the field.

So it is important that a potential Raiderette has the poise and communication skills to be able to represent the team at community, charity and corporate events.

NFL cheerleading is not just about performing. It is also about public relations and community service.

Despite the stereotypes that one may have about cheerleaders at this level, these women are extremely accomplished in their personal lives.

Take one look at the cheerleader profiles on the team website, and you will find undergraduate students to Ph.D candidates, mothers to entrepreneurs, and everything beyond and in between.

Say what you will about women in short shorts, bare midriffs and pom-poms, these ladies’ accomplishments speak for themselves. It just so happens that they have a passion for performing and look amazing doing it.

Raiderette candidates that nail the prelims and are selected as finalists will then have the chance to show off their dance abilities at the final dance audition and interview portion of the tryouts, where candidates will then come face-to-face and compete with veteran Raiderettes for a spot on the squad.

But it’s not just the potential rookies that should be nervous.

According to Thompson, the veterans have to work for their spots on the team just as much as new candidates, and nobody is guaranteed to make it.

“Sometimes you don’t make it back, and a lot of times that can be more heartbreaking than for someone who was auditioning and just hoping to make it for the first time,” said Thompson.

“It’s worse because you know what you will be missing if you don’t make it back.”

Former Raiderette Shannon Burgess can attest to that.

“Sometimes you don’t know what they are looking for, and if you don’t bring it or somebody else is bringing it harder than you, they will cut you in a heartbeat,” said Burgess.

Before cheering four seasons with the Raiderettes, where she was named Rookie of the Year in her first season and named Co-Line Captain and Line Captain in her second and third, Burgess was a member of the 49ers’ Gold Rush Cheerleaders.

After a memorable rookie year, she was cut at auditions going into her second season.

“It hurt when I was cut,” said Burgess. “I was a little crushed, but I didn’t want to give it up because I loved it so much. So I just decided to keep pushing for what I wanted and keep auditioning, and I’m glad I did.”

Burgess, who was also a Golden State Warriors girl, went on to open her own dance studio, Rhythm and Art Elite All-Stars in Tracy. She says every one of her experiences as an NFL and NBA cheerleader have been worth it.

“It was a great experience,” said Burgess. “I got to travel overseas, I learned a lot and I made a lot of friends.

“The camaraderie with the ladies—it was just an amazing experience overall.”

Both team director Thompson and Burgess had advice for those considering auditioning.

“If there is even a thought in your mind to audition, do it,” said Thompson.

“Sometimes you don’t know the potential you hold until you actually try. I really didn’t anticipate making the team when I did. I really just came out because I loved the Raiders and the Raiderettes, and I wanted to see what the audition was like. That was it. And before I knew it, my number was called, and then at finals it was called again. I was really surprised,” she said.

“And so ladies who come out to audition just may surprise themselves.”

Former Raiderette Burgess also offers Raiderette hopefuls the same encouragement she offers the young girls she teaches and mentors at her dance studio.

“Your dreams can come true as long as you’re willing to work for it,” said Burgess. “If it’s your passion, just keep at it and don’t get discouraged no matter what other people may think or what they might say. If it’s in your heart and it’s your passion, you have to go for it.”

To better help prepare potential candidates for the upcoming audition, the Raiderettes are offering an audition dance and prep class at the Ira Jinkins Recreational Center in Oakland on April 2 from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the cost is $40.

“I would recommend taking the workshop class,” said Burgess. “It can’t hurt, and you’ll probably get a lot of information that you wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. If you’re thinking about auditioning, I would take the class.”

To pre-register for the audition prep class, and for more information on the 2011 Raiderettes auditions, please visit www.Raiders.com.