A doctor continues to try out for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
Now 51 years old, Chiufang Hwang, M.D. was there again last week on the audition floor at AT&T Stadium among the hundreds of others hoping be become a part of the world-famous cheerleading team.
Since her first time in 1999, she has auditioned more than a dozen times, but has never made it past the first round.
“I’ve lost count how many times I’ve auditioned,” Hwang told FOX Sports Southwest. “I don’t have a chance to ever make it to finals. I know what I’m up against.”
If she continues to fail to advance, what keeps her coming back?
“I want to be an icon and a role model,” she said. “It’s a lot of time, commitment, and willpower just to be on stage for two minutes.”
For those brief two minutes, Hwang puts herself through more than half a year of challenges.
“From September all the way through May I diet, I get up to 1,200 calories a day,” she said. “I get a choreographer, I memorize a routine, I’m stretching. It’s precise schedule and precise eating.”
Many wouldn’t put in that amount of work while knowing there’s little to no chance of success.
Hwang has heard all the negativity and criticism over the years from her family, people in public, and reaction on social media auditioning.
“My parent are very against it,” she said. “People will say to me ‘It’s not going to get you anywhere in life’ and think ‘what’s the point?’”
Although Hwang knows she won’t become a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, she’s still disappointed after getting cut in the preliminary round annually.
“I’m let down every time I walk out of there,” she said. “The first time in 1999, it was very crushing. These last few years, I’ve been disappointed because I’ve built up for nine months prior to that.”
But nothing will stop her from coming back every year.
“As long as nobody questions my age or ability, I will continue to audition.”
Gone but not forgotten, the N.Y. Islanders Ice Girls…disbanded in 2015.
PRELIMINARY AUDITION
Saturday, June 24
Registration begins at 9 a.m.
The audition will begin at 10 a.m.
INTEGRIS Blue Development Center
14701 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Edmond, OK 73013
The June 24 audition is NOT open to the public for viewing.
$30 Pre-registration fee (CASH ONLY)
What do we look for in a Thunder Girl?
Technical, talented dancer and performer
Ability to pick up dance choreography quickly
Strong teamwork skills
A professional and well-spoken ambassador for the Thunder organiation
Consistent, positive attitude
Energetic and hard-working
Physically fit and uphold personal appearance
Must be at least 18 years old by July 1, 2017. No exceptions.
What should I bring to the audition?
$30 registration fee (CASH ONLY)
Water and snacks
Hair and makeup supplies, towel and a mirror
What should I wear to auditions?
Two-piece attire (half top with briefs and dance shorts or dance skirt)
Tattoos must be completely covered with makeup or clothing
Stud earrings only; no other jewelry is allowed except for engagement/wedding rings
What is the Thunder Girls Final Audition process?
Saturday, June 24: Preliminary auditions. There will be three cuts made during this day. You will learn a pom combination, a hip-hop combination, a jazz dance combination and you will demonstrate across the floor techniques that will each be performed in front of a panel of judges. At the end of this audition, a group of finalists will be selected to continue to the finals.
Finalist mandatory dates: Finalists selected on June 24 must be available from June 25-29. No exceptions. Throughout Finals Week you will: learn choreography, attend a team workout, get fitted for cocktail attire, go through a business interview, attend dress rehearsal and a live final audition.
What should I do to prepare for auditions?
Thunder Girls prep classes are not mandatory, but they are highly recommended as an excellent way to touch up on your dance skills and learn what it takes to be a Thunder Girl!
Click on the image below for more information.
Preliminary Auditions
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Location
UH Recreation & Wellness Center
4500 University Drive
Houston, TX 77004
Schedule
8:00AM Registration begins
Fee: $25 (Cash only)
Finalists will be announced on Saturday, June 24th
Details
Open auditions are closed to the public, family and friends. Preliminary auditions will consist of a series of 3 eliminations that will include: freestyle, stylized choreography and hip-hop choreography. Finalists will be chosen and announced at the end of the day. We recommend that you bring food and drink to stay hydrated and keep your energy up between rounds. Bring necessary items to freshen up between rounds. Candidates will be judged on appearance, dance ability, style, strength and completion of choreography, energy, projection, potential, personality and attitude. The Houston Rockets can make changes at their sole discretion in the best interest for the Houston Rockets Power Dancers throughout the entire audition process to finals.
Requirements:
Must be 18 years or older and high school graduate by October 1, 2017 (valid I.D. required on the day of auditions)
Must be full time college student and/or hold a full time job
Complete audition application, release form and provide professional/dance resume
Must provide non-returnable current color printed headshot photo and full body photo
Must be able to attend Rockets home games & all evening rehearsals two times a week
Must be able to attend certain number of appearances & other related Rockets events/activities
If selected to the team, a one-year contract and commitment are required
Drug test screening and background check are required of finalists
Walk ups day of auditions are welcomed!
Attire:
Two-piece dance ensemble (must show midriff, must be fitted and no full-length pants)
Shoe of preference with non-marking soles
Flesh tone hose or tights
Performance ready hair and make-up
What We Are Looking For
Professionalism and maturity
Confidence, personality, showmanship, energy and enthusiasm
Dancers who are well spoken and can represent the Houston Rockets and RPD in a professional manner on and off the court
DFW.com has posted a nice article from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders open call auditions and they have included a nice gallery of images from the event. Click here to read their article and view the gallery.
You might recognize some familiar faces from other professional dance teams trying out for the DCC. See if you can recognize them.
“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”
— Helen Keller
Simma Wear is excited to announce that we have expanded our team!
#SimmaGirls are group of beautiful and talented current & former professional dancers that have danced in the NBA, NFL and additional major league sports with credits including Ellen DeGeneres, Lupe Fiasco, Ginuwine, Nick Cannon, Disney & more! Collectively with a reach over 150K on social media and 24 representatives in 12 states, #SimmaGirls are a powerful bunch representing the Simma Wear brand while offering services to aspiring dancers, dance studios and companies!
We have amazing things coming, but in the meantime meet our team!
Have a question for one for our Simma Girls? Not only will we get the answer, but we’ll provide their personal promo code for a discount on our audition wear, renting services & accessories just for you to use!
