Tryout Process Options

Typical Dance Team Tryouts

1. Clinic (2-4 days) conducted by you or a graduating dance team member(s).
2. A routine taught with a variety of styles (jazz, pom, hip hop, kick, etc.).  This will show you who are the most versatile and well-rounded dancers.

   The most diplomatic process would be to have the candidates give an evaluation form and envelope to every one of their teachers.

3. Skills test–Depending on the difficulty level of your team, this test may involve various kicks, splits, turns, and leaps.
4. Teacher Evaluations – This gives you an insight of the candidate’s personality (Is she enthusiastic?  A hard worker?  Dependable?
    Does she attend class regularly?).  The most diplomatic process would be to have the candidates give an evaluation form and envelope to every one of her/his teachers.  When tallying scores drop the high and low ones and then take an average of the remaining scores.
5. Interview – This will give you a better idea of the candidate’s personality.  Some sample questions are below.  Give each response to the questions a score from 1-5.  Put the total score (possible 15) on each participant’s score sheet for tryouts later.  Choose three questions.
   • What roles do you believe you will play on this squad?
   • What other activities, sports or hobbies are you interested in?
   • What do you believe you can offer this squad?
   • Do you consider yourself a leader or a follower?  How would you interact that position on the squad?
   • What would you like to gain from dancing on this squad?
   • What is a recent goal have you set and achieved for yourself?
   • How do you plan on handling the time management for dance team, schoolwork, personal and social time?
   • What are your short term and long term goals?

Other Options

1. Individual choreography–Have each candidate perform a short routine of their own choreography.
2. Teach a routine but leave the last two 8 counts for individual choreography (this will point out your potential choreographers).
3. Teach a routine but wait and teach the last two 8 counts at tryouts in front of the judges (this will show you how fast the individuals can learn).
4. Have the judges host a group interview. You may want to provide some of sample questions above.

Format Options

1. One panel of judges scoring on all aspects
2. Station to Station–If your tryout is very large have several stations set up with judges (i.e. Station I–candidates perform routine; Station 2–leaps and turns; Station 3–kicks and splits; Station 4 -interview).  Have the groups rotate from station to station.

Open vs. Closed Tryouts

1. Open Tryout – The added crowd dimension provides more noise, more support, and a more “real life” feeling to a performer while trying out.  Another advantage is that if the students, parents, etc. are allowed to view the tryout, when the final selection is made, they would have seen why someone was chosen over another, as opposed to a decision being handed to them from behind closed doors.  A disadvantage seems to be the vocal support from the crowd that could influence a judge.  A judge can always tell who is the crowd’s favorite.
2. Closed Tryout – Closed tryouts provide for a decision not influenced by a crowd.  In a closed tryout with only judges and participants there is less pressure.  The participants feel less pressure if they make a mistake and it can be a more casual and informal situation for call backs.  It enables judges to work more efficiently especially if the tryouts are closed.

Announcing the Team
This may be done several ways depending on whether or not your administration should confirm the list.

1. Announce the new team member the day of tryouts (by name or number, notin the order of scores).  We suggest that you or a member of your administration make the announcement, not the judges.
2. Post the new team members’ names at the school.