Salem woman is finalist for Celtics Dancers

By Alan Burke
Staff writer
Salem News
July 23, 2009

SALEM — How do you get to center court at the Boston Garden?

You need the moves, the will, the talent and the skill that comes only with hours of practice.

That’s exactly what Lauren Clifford, 22, is hoping will get her there. No, she doesn’t expect to be guarding Kobe Bryant. Her dream is to become one of the Boston Celtics Dancers, whose routines are meant to be an inspiration to both players and fans.

The Salem resident has already come a long way. Tonight, she participates in a final, public audition at the House of Blues in Boston. (Admission to the event is $10, with all proceeds going to the Shamrock Foundation, the Celtics charity.)

“I started dancing when I was 3,” the Salem High graduate says.

“My parents (Charles and Donna Clifford) are both very involved in my dancing. My mother has always been my biggest fan. … They’re very excited for me. After 18 years of dance recitals, they can get to see it all pay off.”

Dancing can take a person in odd directions these days. Not everyone wants to be in “A Chorus Line.” Indeed, appearing as a dancer at athletic events can attract wider recognition than appearing on a traditional stage.

Pay is limited, according to Celtics spokeswoman Heather Walker. The team provides a small, hourly stipend, but the real benefit is that the job opens up opportunities. Dancers, who act as both cheerleaders and dancers, become widely known, gaining lucrative personal appearances and the opportunity to appear in commercials.

Clifford, who first tried out for this spot during auditions in New York, as well as Boston (where initially 300 women took the stage), is already one of the dancers for the Boston Cannons, the city’s professional lacrosse team.

In any case, she’s ready for tonight’s face-off, where no more than half of the remaining 40 hopefuls will be asked to don Celtics green. Pressure comes with the territory. The competition includes dancers who have also worked at their craft since childhood, from classically trained ballerinas to hip-hop dancers.

“I’ve done mostly competitive dancing all my life,” Clifford says. “When it comes to being a dancer, not only are you used to being on the spot, on the stage, but you thrive on being on the spot, on the stage.”

She will have a minute to perform solo to the song “I Love Rock N’ Roll,” which she chose because, “I love rock ‘n’ roll.”

A student of journalism and philosophy at Assumption College, Clifford expects to work hard if accepted. “You’re pretty much dancing the whole time. And dancers are some of the most intense athletes you’ll ever meet.”

She expects some quiz questions on basketball and is prepared. Most dancers are small, she points out, and when working alongside massive, hard-charging basketball players it’s best to know something about what’s going on in order to avoid collisions.

“You’ve got to keep your eye on the game.”

Part of tonight’s program includes a stint wearing a swimsuit. Clifford has no problem with that.

“We walk a catwalk,” she says. “Being part of a professional dance troupe is being physically fit.” So Celtics officials will want a good look at the dancers, she says.

If she fails to win a spot, Clifford vows to return to tryouts next year. It’s an approach that reflects her dance training.

“Anything you’re passionate about,” she declares, “it’s worth doing it over and over. Until you get it.”