Carole Anne Deeney, Director and member of the Scottish Rockettes.
(Big shoutout to our friends in Glasgow!)
Mike Trudell
The Lakers Blog
July 27, 2012
On Thursday evening at the Lakers practice facility, 33 talented dancers gathered in pursuit of the same dream: to make the final cut and become a Laker Girl for the 2012-13 season.
There’s no hard number upon which Director Lisa Estrada settles in advance, but the squad has featured 22 members in the past few seasons and won’t be far off.
Below are some photos from final auditions, with comments from Estrada to help define the process:
“Each one of you that’s here could definitely fit the Laker Girls mold and be in this position, because you’re all very talented and I could work with any one of you,” Estrada told the dancers before things got going.
The girls do the two routines that were taught at auditions — one novelty, one jazz/funk — in front of a smaller panel of judges than were at Saturday’s auditions. “Luckily there were no mess ups,” said Estrada. “The talent level was high, and the candidates proved to us why they made the finals.”
The girls have a few minutes to gather themselves, touch up some make up, grab or snack or what have you in between the jazz/funk and novelty routines. Meanwhile, the judges (and reporter) eat a variety of snacks (M&M’s, trail mix, licorice) provided by Estrada.
One girl, unfortunately, didn’t strut her stuff like the pictured dancers, since she showed up 45 minutes late without calling. Estrada, though sad to lose someone, explained:
First off, we didn’t know why she wasn’t on time, and my worry was something happened – so I made sure I called my voicemail and checked my email. I didn’t see any messages after 5 p.m., so, we ultimately went forward and started the call back. When she came almost 45 minutes late, at that point there was no need to go through the rest of the process. I explained during the interviews that time management, scheduling at games and appearances and so on must be diligent, so obviously she would not be a candidate in this sense. She also happened to be 30 minutes late for her interview.
Small groups of dancers (usually five, sometimes four) performed the next routine before returning to the line. Estrada said her judges are looking at height, weight, body sizes and style in addition to, of course, dancing ability. “We try to figure out who is appealing out on the court,” she said. “That’s what the fans will be looking for, so that’s what we’re looking for.”
Next comes the “Mood music” section, in which each dancer comes in front of the judges to introduce herself and then dance briefly as a Laker Girl might during a time out or break in action. “That’s where they free style and cheer to get the crowd going,” said Estrada. “Most of these ladies have cheerleading and dancing backgrounds, and they understand what to do at a game. They’ve been on college or other professional teams before. This not a make or break thing, but it gives us another chance to see them individually.”
Estrada has already learned a lot about the dancers during 1-on-1 interview at the office on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but the judges will ask certain ladies questions ranging from “Why do you want to be a Laker Girl?” to “What’s your favorite movie” and “What’s your celebrity look alike?” Here, veteran LG Dara fields some questions.
This potential newcomer, Elizabeth, studied molecular biophysics at Yale, while another studied dance at the Julliard School. As Estrada mentioned, she was very impressed with more than the dancing ability at auditions.
After Thursday’s final audition concluded, Estrada thanked everyone for coming and returned to her office for the most difficult part of the process: selecting the actual team.
“I’m going through all the candidates’ references in the next few days, and will check up on everybody to see what kind of employee or staff member they were at their previous place of employment,” she concluded. “The idea is to get a better understanding of what they’re made of. But I’m very, very excited about the group from which we have to choose.”
The Warriors have announced their new dance team. Click here to watch the video and see who made the cut!
The Golden State Warriors have added boot camp photos to their 2012-13 Auditions album. Click here to check them out on Warriors.com.
(Finals took place yesterda
y so hopefully they will announce the team soon.)
Indiana Pacers
July 26, 2012
The final nine members of the Pacemates team for this upcoming season were announced Thursday afternoon on Pacers.com. Five members were announced Tuesday night after the “Pacemates Showcase” at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. That evening, four veterans—Desiree, Bethany, Sarrah and Tamara—joined rookie Walesska as the first members chosen. (Watch their finalist showcase)
The remaining team members were chosen and announced Thursday. Filling out the Pacemates roster for the 2012-13 campaign are Arbara, Brittany, Elizabeth, Erika, Jessica, Jordan, Kayla, Megan and Travasha.
Grizzlies.com: Mid-South dancers competed for spots on the 2012-13 Grizz Girls team on Saturday morning. Finalists were selected to advance to the Grizz Girls finals to be held at Gold Strike Casino-Resort – Tunica next Sunday, July 29 at 4pm. Come out and support your favorite dancers at the event.
The Golden State Warriors bought the Dakota Wizards NBA Development League team last year. At the time, the Warriors leadership group made it clear that they were interested in moving the team out west. Having the Warriors and the Wizards in close proximity would allow them to share coaches and players, and have potlucks, and slumber parties, or whatever.
Well, the time has come. After almost 20 years in the midwest, the Wizards are moving to Santa Cruz, CA. Probably. The City of Santa Cruz has approved the relocation, along with funds for a temporary facility (to be replaced by an arena 5-7 years out). Now the team is waiting for the NBA to give them them a thumbs-up, which seems likely.
You know what that means? New pro sports team in California = new pro DANCE team in California. Jobs, jobs, jobs, people! (Not that the pay will be much, but it’s an opportunity to perform for an audience. And if you’re looking to audition for the Warriors, Raiders, or 49ers, the D-League can be a good place to get some game day polish. The Wizards plan to announce auditions later this summer, so stay tuned.
The Denver Broncos Cheerleaders just returned from their calendar shoot in Cancun. (Hey, nice work if you can get it.) Click here to check out some photos from the first couple days of shooting.
Amira and Casey
by Jessica Lipsky
San Ramon Express News
July 25, 2012
For many aspiring jazz, ballet or hip-hop dancers, garnering a spot on a NBA dance team can be a dream come true. This dream may become a reality for 18 women with skills, style and pizzazz enough to join the Warrior Girls.
Nearly 150 dancers arrived at Club Sport in San Ramon on Saturday, July 21 for the first round of auditions for the Golden State Warriors dance team. The weeklong audition process includes two days of boot camp and a final round of tryouts on Thursday, July 26.
“There are nine to 10 returning veterans and each year they have to fight for their spot. You always want to have the best talent each year, much like the players,” said Dance Team Director Sabrina Ellison.
Two Danville residents and veteran Warrior Girls showed up with spirit on Saturday, making it to the final round of auditions. Casey and Amira, both 21, will continue to fulfill their childhood dreams should they make the team for their respective fifth and second seasons.
“I saw their style and I loved it…that they were so confident and just looked so together on the court. It was such a team,” Casey, a San Ramon Valley High grad, said of her desire to join the Warrior Girls. “You looked at them and just saw beauty and talent and they were just so exciting to watch. Their energy and the way they moved together was so great to watch.”
A Warrior Girl since she was 18, Casey has been dancing most of her life. She danced with the Danville Ballet Company and studied at the Contra Costa Ballet Company before focusing more on jazz, funk and hip-hop techniques. In addition to learning the Warrior Girl style — which she describes as fun and energetic, often combining new moves with older songs — Casey said the past few years on the team have been crucial in her life.
“As a woman, I grew up on this team…. I learned dedication, professionalism, how to represent yourself in the best way, how to network, so many crucial tools to not only become an adult, but a business woman as well,” she said.
During the season break and summer vacation from studying dietetics at San Francisco State, Casey said she has done a lot of physical and mental training. In addition to taking dance classes, she works out four to five days a week and watches her diet.
“I try not to think about not making (the team). I try to just focus and say ‘this is the year you have to prove yourself. You have to fight harder…have to give it your all, do the best you possibly can,'” she said. “When a dancer wants to be there and really truly wants to perform and loves what she does, you can see it on her face. You can see how much I love to dance.”
With one year on the team, Monte Vista grad Amira said she was excited to audition and see who else would try out. Having training in several forms of dance and two years on the Phoenix Suns dance team, Amira exudes passion on the court.
“I get to do what I love as one of my jobs, it’s great. I’m performing in front of thousands of people on a weekly basis and I’m absolutely doing what I love,” she said.
Although last year’s audition process was radically different due to the NBA lockout, Amira said her experience and commitment to the team’s various community service projects will work to her advantage.
“It shows my commitment level…but also I have a very strong technical background as a dancer and (Sabrina is) going for more jazz this year and more technique, so I hope it’ll give me a little more advantage,” Amira said, adding, “Being on various NBA teams on the past never hurts.”
In addition to talent, time management and the ability to remember up to 80 routines each year, Warrior Girls must be dedicated to the community and the Warriors brand. Dancers routinely visit food banks and hospitals, and recently helped clean up the Alameda water line.
“We’re not only dancers, but brand ambassadors as well. You have to learn how to represent your self in a certain light and bring that authenticity and respect of the organization to that,” Casey said.
Part of the audition process includes an interview portion to ensure that dancers are polished and will get along well, Ellison said. Dancers should be approachable with a positive attitude because they are put in front of everyone from fans to media personnel, she added.
“You have to be able to converse with people, it’s not just standing out on the court and looking pretty and waving our poms,” Amira said. “We’re out in the community…It makes you a better, well-rounded woman. And Sabrina really emphasizes being professional and always looking your best; it grooms us to be the professionals we want to be.”
Warrior Girls are encouraged to keep that business-minded attitude on various trips around the world, including Italy, Japan and China. In June, Amira and six other dancers went to Wuhan, China to perform at a car show for one of the sponsors of the NBA. The women performed for seven days, but also had the opportunity to sightsee and relax.
Similarly, Casey visited Shanghai and performed at another auto show. Casey said it was the best trip she had taken and enjoyed the time she spent exploring the city and culture with other dancers.
“We bonded a lot on the trip. Being able to perform in front of people who are from a different culture was amazing too because they really, truly appreciate what we do because there isn’t as much of it where they live as in America,” she said.
While dancing for the Warrior Girls does come with perks, it is a grueling schedule that has the team together nearly seven days a week. The Girls usually practice three days a week but can practice every day if there is a game. Casey said the team will usually arrive at the arena by 4 p.m. on game day, dance twice, and stay until 11 p.m. In addition, the team will participate in over 100 events each year.
As a result, the team members are extremely close. Both Amira and Casey said the Warrior Girls are like a family — one that they see more often than their blood relations. If they earn spots on the team for the 2012-13 season, both said they are most looking forward to seeing old friends again and making new ones.
“I have met girls every year and I have met some of the best friends I will ever have in my life. They go from being acquaintances to family; there about 10 girls that I know will be at my wedding and will be there when my kids are born,” Casey said.
In the meantime, Casey, Amira and 34 other finalists — who made it through two rounds of dance as well as interviews this weekend — will participate in a final audition on Thursday. This year’s team will be announced on July 27.
