How to make a professional dance/cheer team

The crowd swarms the stadium eager to take their seats and watch the athletes take the field.  The area rocks with chatter, cheer and coordination as the team moves lit up with smiles and sass.

A 21-year-old ballerina screams inside with excitement because she finally made a team after being cut from her two auditions prior.  At 5’5, she stands wishing she were taller, thin like a model and with long brown hair.  Her make-up is performance ready as she beautifies her appearance to match the level and execution of her skills.

With glitz and glam the whole team struts around the grassy area that feels like home to them.  The stage that is without a hard floor or curtains most certainly still holds an audience.

Her name is Catrina Kolar.  From dreams that started at the ballet barre, she is now a member of the Baltimore Mariners and Baltimore Blast’s dance/cheer teams.  She gives her second shot at her goal this weekend when she auditions for the Baltimore Raven’s cheerleading squad.

(Catrina Kolar (left) and Eve Ostrowski (right) at the Baltimore Raven's cheerleader audition last year. Photo by Katie Hopper)

“I came from a more technical dance background, and had to learn to change my style to be more sharp, and explosive,” Kolar said.  “It was a big challenge for me.”

Dancing and/or cheering for a professional team is at a higher level than just moving to a certain amount of counts or chanting a limited number of words.

“You have to look like you’re having fun when you’re dancing,” Kolar said.

Yet,  while the high-energy performers entertain themselves and the fans, the game wasn’t always fun for these young women and men who have auditioned and trained to earn their spot.

“Game day is very exciting and cheering in front of 70,000 screaming fans is something that can’t be matched,” Baltimore Raven’s male cheerleader John O’Brien said.

Welcome to the world of professional cheerleading and dance teams.

“You don’t have to be the best dancer, or best  cheerleader, but you have to captivate the attention of the judges, audience/crowd members,” Kolar said.  “Having a high energy level, being precise, and entertaining to watch are all important factors.”

Entertainment and crowd interaction are the purpose of the team.  While the dancers are there to show off their skills they are also there to make sure that the audience  remains intrigued in the game and in high spirits no matter what the score may be.

“You learn how demanding it is both physically, mentally, and emotionally,” Megan Andrews said, member of the Baltimore Mariners and Baltimore Blast.  “It is hard work and huge time commitment but such a great honor.”

So how do you make the team?

“Coaches are always looking for strong dancers, someone with crowd appeal, who can interact with fans, and above all else someone who is entertaining to watch,” Kolar said.

However, you can train all you want but if you don’t look the part then the coach doesn’t want you.  Appearance is a key element in both the auditions and in the performance.  It is important that you stand out and make yourself memorable in comparison to your competition.

“At all auditions for a pro cheer/dance team they say to come wearing a sports bra and shorts, and full hair and makeup,” Kolar said.  “What this really means is a crop top/sports bra with rhinestones that’s brightly colored to make you stand out, and a pair of coordinating booty shorts, full hair (big curls “pageant hair”), and game day makeup, eyelashes, big eyes, bright lipstick.”

It’s not just about what you see on the field.  Professional dance and cheer teams represent and carry the name that they are under in the same way that the athletes do.

“The coaches are very concerned with fitness, skill, and personality,” O’Brien said.  “Not only do you have to look the part, but you need to be able to carry yourself and represent the organization in a positive manner.”

The entire organization counts on each member to remain professional in order to reflect a high quality outlook on the team as a whole.  Being apart of a professional dance/cheer team is a much larger obligation than solely dancing for yourself.

“The biggest thing I have learned from auditioning and being a part of a professional team is to always exemplify appropriate behavior and to be the best representation of myself and team because you are always being watched and in the public eye,” Danielle Scott said, member of the Baltimore Mariners and Baltimore Blast.

Aside from the auditions, practices and games, the teams are also active in their communities.

“It is a huge adrenaline rush getting to perform on the field, and a lot of fun to interact with fans, sign autographs, be a part of the calendar, volunteer and make various appearances and meet new people,” Kolar said.

As for your upcoming audition, remember to be fun and release the nerves.  Once you are confident with your skill and performance level, the next step is to perfect your look, behavior and personality.

“Then the waiting process begins,” Kolar said.