Carlsbad High School Dance Team
Audition/Information Packet
2024-2025 Season
Carlsbad High School has three dance teams: Varsity (Lancer Dancers), Junior Varsity (Xcalibur), and Frosh (Royals). The teams train and perform in a variety of styles including, but not limited to, jazz, hip hop, pom, lyrical, and contemporary. Mandatory practices for each team are held one to three times per week. Additional mandatory practices will be scheduled when preparing for an upcoming event (please note that this may include practices during holiday breaks). Exact practice schedule is detailed later in this packet.
All teams will perform at pep rallys, football games, Homecoming Halftime Show, Lancer Dancer Showcase, Dance Extreme, and community events throughout the year. Our Varsity and Junior Varsity teams also compete at regional and national competitions.
All teams are supported by a Parent Booster Organization. The Booster Organization is instrumental in financing competition travel, costuming, and choreography and works closely with our coaching staff to ensure the best program for the dancers.
All teams will automatically be placed in school dance classes. Varsity (Lancer Dancers) will be placed in period 5. JV (Xcalibur) and Frosh (Royals) will be placed in period 6. After school practices will be organized at a later date for combined showcase routines.
We are looking for dancers who:
· Are students who attend Carlsbad High School for the 2024-2025 school year.
· Have good grades and consistently attend all classes.
· Possess a strong work ethic and a positive attitude.
· Are organized, responsible, and respectful.
· Have strong technical skills and are committed to continuing their training.
· Behave in and outside of the classroom in a manner that is conducive to a positive and classy team reputation.
· Are coachable and will do what they are asked to do to the best of their ability.
· Have a current physical completed (visit https://www.carlsbadathletics.com/forms for more information)
Auditions
There will be a separate audition on Friday, May 3rd for anyone interested in the FROSH team only. This is a non competitive team, open to Freshman and Sophomore students. Once the audition process is complete, a full roster will be released. Please mark on the audition form if you are interested, and more information will be given following auditions.
Auditions for all teams (Varsity, JV, & Frosh) will take place April 30th, May 1st and May 2nd. All days are required if you plan to attend this audition.
Timeline of Important Dates
April 9th : Information Night @ 6:30pm (CHS Dance Room 5104)
April 11th and 15th: Audition Clinics! (CHS Dance Room 5104)
April 21st: Due date for Audition Registration Form & Teacher Evaluation Forms
April 23rd: Choreography videos available for April 30th- May 2nd and May 3rd Audition
April 30th- May 2nd: Audition for ALL Dance Teams
May 3rd: Audition for FROSH Team ONLY
Audition results will be released May 4th
Team Information
Varsity (Lancer Dancers):
Freshmen-Seniors are eligible to make this team. This is a competitive team that expects a high level of commitment. A complete calendar of events will be available once team selections have been announced. As we approach competition season, please expect extra mandatory practices to be added.
Weekly practices (Sept-June): 3x per week after school on Mondays (until 4:30, 5:45 during kids classes), Thursdays (until 5:30) and Fridays (odd days until 4:30), After Nationals only Monday practices
Performances: Team will perform at community events, pep rallys, Varsity football games, our two annual showcases, and our Homecoming Halftime Show! In addition, the team will compete at two regional competitions in December/January and UDA Nationals in February
Required Dates over Summer: (specific dates/times once teams are selected)
JV (Xcalibur):
Freshmen-Seniors are eligible to make this team. This is a competitive team that expects a high level of commitment. A complete calendar of events will be available once team selections have been announced. As we approach competition season, please expect extra mandatory practices to be added.
Weekly practices (Sept-June): 2 x per week on Mondays (5:30-7:45) and Wednesdays (5:30-7:15)
Performances: Team will perform at community events, pep rallys, JV football games, our two annual showcases, and our Homecoming Halftime Show! In addition, the team will compete at two regional competitions and WCE Nationals in March.
Required Dates over Summer: (specific dates/times once teams are selected)
FROSH Team (Royals):
Freshmen and Sophomore students will be eligible to make this team. You can be placed on this team at the April 30th- May 2nd Audition or on the May 3rd Audition just this team.
Weekly practices (Sept-June): 1x per week after school. Day and time TBT
Performances: Team will perform at community events, pep rallys, freshman football games, our two annual showcases, and our Homecoming Halftime Show! This is a non competitive team.
Required Dates over Summer: (specific dates/times once teams are selected)
Audition Information
Audition Checklist:
Click on the link to submit now!
Send this link to a teacher!
Send this link to your dance teacher/ studio owner!
Click this link for easy access to all required forms: All Required Forms Here
Audition Attire:
Please wear black leggings with a black form fitted tank top, with your hair in a slicked back low ponytail with a center part. Please bring:
Judging:
A panel of outside professional judges will judge the audition, along with our coaches. They will be looking for correct body placement, clean lines, strong dance technique, flexibility, endurance, as well as knowledge of material, showmanship, positive attitude, confidence and style. The teacher recommendation form will also be assigned a point value and used in the selection of our team. The judges may feel it is necessary to question any dancer on the basis of their technical level, grades, and attendance. ALL JUDGES DECISIONS ARE FINAL!
Results:
The 2024-2025 rosters for all teams will be available on May 4th
Audition Process/Agenda
April 30th- May 2nd (Audition for Varsity, JV & FROSH Team):
Day 1 -Tuesday, April 30th 4:00-7:00pm
Check in between 3:45-4:00pm
Day 2 -Wednesday, May 1st 4:00-7:00pm
Check in between 3:45-4:00pm
Day 3 -Thursday, May 2nd 4:00pm-8:00pm (approximate end time)
Check in between 3:45-4:00pm
May 3rd (Audition for FROSH Team Only):
Day 1 -Friday, May 3rd 3:45-5:00pm
Check in between 3:45-4:00pm
Please Note:
Technical Requirements:
Throughout the tryout process you will learn and be evaluated on the following material:
1. A jazz combination demonstrating jazz technique, movement quality, and style.
2. A hip hop combination demonstrating hip hop technique, movement quality, and style.
3. Across the floor combination demonstrating jazz technique.
4. Strength and flexibility.
5. Ability to learn choreography quickly and correctly.
*Jazz Skills: Leaps, Kick Turns, Turns in Second, Pirouettes, Aerials, Leg Holds.
Examples of Jazz Skills
Varsity Skills: pirouettes (4-5), leg hold turns inside and outside (1-2), turns in second with spot changes, toe touches (1-2), front, right, and left aerial (recommended)
JV Skills: pirouettes (3), leg hold turn inside and outside (1-leg hold), turns in second, toe touch, right or left aerial (recommended)
Frosh Skills: pirouettes (2), coupe turns (1-2), leg hold, calypso, firebird
*Hip Hop Skills: Kip Up, Headspring, Forward Roll Kip, Various Stalls.
*We will teach these tricks, however prior training is highly recommended
Individual Jazz Demonstration / Improv: You will be asked to perform four eight counts of improv that emphasizes your personal strengths and highlights your skills and style. Music will be provided.
Hip Hop Trick Demonstration: You may be asked to demonstrate 3 consecutive Hip Hop “tricks” in a row. This is completely open (no restrictions or requirements), and is a chance to show off skills that we may not have included in the Hip Hop audition choreography. Please do not try skills you have not been properly taught, and come prepared.
**Please note: We expect a high level of technical strength, physical endurance, control and body awareness. In addition to the skills and routines, you will be observed throughout the tryout process on your attitude, ability to learn quickly, enthusiasm, projection and overall performance. Numerous opportunities will be provided to perform these skills. Please be prepared for your audition.
Alternates:
Please note that for competition routines, we do select alternates from the team. After making the team, you are not guaranteed a spot in each competition routine. Alternates are a very important part of the process and are expected to fill in any time a team member is absent or injured. Alternates will replace a dancer if an injury/sickness occurs, grade issue or execution of the routine doesn’t meet contract and/or routine standards. Alternates are expected to have a good attitude throughout the process, and continue to fully participate in choreography, practices, and attend all performances.
Commitment to Training:
Team members will be highly encouraged to continue their training at their studios. It is important to continue this commitment to training that has prepared you for the team. Participation on the dance team cannot replace studio training. For optimal success, dancers should continue to do both. Dancers will be allowed to compete with studio teams and on the CHS team.
2024-2025 Team Guidelines, Policies and Disclosures
Calendar and Scheduling:
· Full calendar of events for the year will be available after teams are selected.
· A two-week notice must be given for all mandatory events.
· Notify the coach by sending an e-mail immediately if there is a conflict.
· Missing practice without an excused reason and notification may result in suspension from performing. Please communicate.
· Time management, planning, and prioritizing family, school, dance, and other activities is vital to be a part of the dance team. All dancers will be responsible for knowing when practices and performances are.
- All teams use the BAND app for team communication and scheduling events. All members of both teams must be aware of their schedules and commitments at all times.
Competitions/Performances:
· All teams will participate in competitions and community events selected by the Head Coach, and approved by Administration.
· Being selected for the team does not guarantee performing at competitions/events.
· A competition/performance schedule for each team will be available once the teams are selected and the calendar is confirmed.
· Upon qualifying, the Varsity team will compete at the Nationals Dance Team Championship (NDTC) in Orlando, Florida. They will also compete at 1-2 regional competitions before attending Nationals in Florida.
· Upon qualifying, the JV team will be attending 1-2 regional competitions and 1 Nationals competition.
- Two or more alternates will be selected for both competition routines, for both JV and Varsity teams. The alternates could be the same for two routines. Everyone is guaranteed to be in one routine that competes regionally and at Nationals.
*More info will be given once the teams are chosen.
Attendance and Grades:
· Dancers are expected to attend school regularly.
· Dancers who are absent more than two periods on a day of a performance will not be allowed to participate without approval from administration and/or the Head Coach.
· Missing school the day after an event will jeopardize future trips.
· Any one of a dancer’s teachers may choose not to allow a dancer to miss class for an extracurricular performance. Requests to leave class early or arrive late due to a performance may also be rejected due to poor attendance and/or grades.
· All dancers must maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average and no more than 1 F. If these standards are not met it disqualifies a dancer from being eligible to dance for 6 weeks, or until the grade has been raised to a D.
Respectful Behavior:
· Dancers are to represent themselves, their school and community with pride and appropriate behavior at all times.
· Dancers will also abide by team, school, and district guidelines and policies.
· Public displays of affection in team Spirit Wear are not appropriate and will not be accepted.
· Any student engaging in activities inside AND outside of the school day that have a negative impact on the team or its image (i.e. consumption of alcohol, using drugs, promiscuous behavior, etc.) will be disciplined, resulting in suspension and/or removal from the team.
· Parents are encouraged to know the “who, what, where, when and why” of their dancer’s social activities.
Team Behavior:
· Dancers are expected to work together to reach team goals. Dancers will face disciplinary action if they engage in gossip that has a negative impact on the team.
· Dancers are required to use constructive confrontation skills to work out problems.
· Dancers are expected to contribute to the team in a positive manner.
· Consequences for not following team, school, or district policies and guidelines may include: not performing, extra time spent performing team duties, student conference, parent conference, contractual agreements, and suspension or removal from the team. These consequences will be given at the coaches’ discretion.
Parent Support:
· Whenever possible, parents should encourage dancers to work out problems or concerns directly with the coach or other team members involved. Problem solving is a skill that must be practiced and mastered in high school to ensure success in college and life.
· Volunteering to assist in Booster Club is essential to a successful program.
· Parents are highly encouraged to volunteer time and assist in raising money to assist the team and their goals.
· The parent booster organization is designed to be a support system for the teams. It does not make coaching decisions.
If you have any questions, please contact Dance Director/Head Varsity Coach Jackie Clawson, jsolomon@carlsbadusd.net
We are looking forward to making this our best season yet!
See you at auditions!