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A-Town Dance Team Auditions
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- Jason McDonald
In Step with the A-Town Dance Team Auditions
By: Jason McDonald
The opportunity to perform in front of NBA crowds drew 92 hopefuls to Philips Arena Sunday morning to audition for the 2006-2007 Atlanta Hawks Dance Team.
Clad in distinctive dance attire ranging from patriotic to outdoorsman, women 19 and older filled the Hawks practice courts with hopes of landing one of the 12-16 final dance team spots.
Hawks talent coordinator Dionne Frazier has the unenviable task of breaking a few hearts and fulfilling a few dreams. With over half of the dancers from last year’s squad moving off in other directions there are plenty of spots available. Veterans who are returning still have to audition for a spot on this year’s squad.
"They are fighting for their spot its not guaranteed" Frazier said referencing the nine returning dance team members. "We will pick 30-40 finalist who will have a week long audition heading up to finals on June 10".
The day began with stretching and learning a brief dance routing. With hopefuls stretched across the floor and high energy dance music pulsing through the air, it was time to see the judges. The dancers –many of them nervous- were brought out in groups of five to perform for the panel of judges. Before the first round of auditions was complete, a small exodus –some in tears- had already begun to make their way home.
As the judges turned in their score sheets, clusters of candidates huddled together on the floor wondering if they made it through the first round of cuts. The news from Frazier wasn't good news for about 25 of the contenders. A few words of encouragement and an invitation to try again next year was enough to send some of the aspirants to a tearful exit.
Before the door closed behind the last former contestant, the audition process began again. This time the routine was far more involved with combinations that invoked flashbacks of Debbie Allen in the television show 'Fame'.
By the end of the second round 32 finalists –including all nine of the returning veterans- were handed red and black outfits and given instructions for the set of week-long set audition activities. Activities will include interviews and a mix-and-mingle session with the public before the final round of auditions on Saturday when the 2006-2007 A-Town Dance Team will be announced.