CALIFORNIA DANCE TEAM

Audition Information

AUDITION APPLICATION
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GENERAL INFORMATION

The Cal Dance Team is an organization of young individuals that uniquely combines elements of dance and song leading into dynamic performances for Cal athletics, campus, alumni and community events. 

The Cal Dance team currently functions under the direction of an advisor and coach. Physical and medical support is available through the Cal athletic department. 

All current squad members must audition for each successive year in which they wish to participate. A squad of no more than 20 members will be selected for this season. 

You will need to provide your own make-up and hair products.

In order to audition for the Cal Dance Team you must be a current registered Cal student with at least a 2.0 GPA or have received a letter of acceptance and have committed for Fall 2024 by the first audition date (April 21st). 

Fill out and complete all documents listed under Required Forms in the application. This includes a personal photo, resume, unofficial transcripts, Letter of Acceptance (if applicable), and physical or doctor clearance.

You will be required to carefully read and sign the Cal Dance Team Agreement, Code of Conduct and Travel Policies plus the Strike System which states guidelines for all members of the team should you be selected as a member. These forms will be provided once the team is announced. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to all practices (summer, winter & school semesters) and conditioning during the year, Friday noon rallies, football, volleyball, men’s & women’s basketball games, alumni and community events, UDA COMPETITION in January 2025, Cal Spirit events and fundraising. Some events occur after the basketball season ends, which you will be required to attend.

You will be required to return to Berkeley as early as Monday, July 1st, 2024 to begin rehearsals. Please note that the schedules shown are estimates based upon previous year’s schedules. The schedule may vary from year to year.

SeasonDays of the WeekTimeNotes
SummerMonday through Thursday8am - 7pmUDA Camp & Bootcamp
    
Fall & Spring*Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday5pm - 8pmSubject to change based on university practice space availability
 
 
*Must be available during holidays and school breaks.
Note: Times and days vary depending on the facility and competition schedule.
Friday Rallies & Practice Games
  • Friday's at noon for a half-hour on upper Sproul for all home football games. Call time: 11:30am. On Friday evening, attend Band/field rehearsals
  • Homecoming Rally – Friday evening prior to the Homecoming game
  • Bonfire Rally – Friday evening prior to the Big Game
  • Perform quarter break routines (of various styles) to pre-recorded music during football games. Perform halftime routines to a more traditional song-leading style of dance in conjunction with band music
  • Perform short game action cheers or chants led by the Mic Men but the squad itself does not lead cheers. The squad does not stunt; however, we welcome those who can tumble
  • 3-4 hour call time prior to game, “gameday ready”
 
Gamedays
  • Saturdays arrive 3 hours prior to the start of the game
  • Perform at March to Victory and pre-game rally on upper Sproul
  • March up with the Band to Memorial Stadium stopping at Maxwell Field to perform at Tailgate Town
 
Travel
  • For away football games, you will leave Friday morning and return Saturday evening after the game or the morning after
 
Big Game
  • Perform at several community and alumni events beginning on the previous Sunday through the following Sunday or Monday, if the Bears win
 
Bowl Games
  • Bowl games are usually held between December 23rd and January 1st. All Dance Team members are required to be available. (NOTE: This is during the winter holiday, so you must be available to travel during that time. Do not make holiday plans until you know your travel and game schedule)

 

 

Gameday
  • Non-conference games are played on various days of the week
  • Conference games are played on any day depending on the TV schedule
  • Perform routines choreographed to band music during time-outs of basketball games
  • Perform halftime routines (of various styles) to pre-recorded music during basketball games
  • Perform short game action cheers or chants led by the Mic Men but the squad itself does not lead cheers. The squad does not stunt; however, we welcome those who can tumble
  • 30 minute call time prior to game, “gameday ready”
 
Travel & Postseason
  • The ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament is scheduled for the first week in March and is located in Greensboro, NC
  • The Men’s ACC Tournament is scheduled for the second week in March and is located in Charlotte, NC. (NOTE: This may be during Spring Break, so you must be available to travel during that time. Do not make plans until you know your travel schedule)
Cal Dance Team members must be available during Winter Break and Spring Break for basketball games and competition practices. Do not make plans until the schedule has been confirmed. Please let your family know that you must be available during these times. If they purchase tickets for you as a gift you are not excused and will still be responsible for the games you are assigned to, as well as scheduled practices. Be proactive! You MUST consult with your coach before any commitments are made during this time.
Cal Dance Team must be available for numerous sports, alumni, community, campus and fundraising events that occur sporadically throughout the year. Also, other public appearances are sometimes requested and each member is required to attend. Events and appearance requests may go past the basketball season, which you will be required to attend. 
 
Cal Dance Team members could have additional costs to cover throughout the year. 
 
Should you leave the program at any point in the year, you must wait one full season to try out for the team again. For example, should you leave this Fall, you cannot audition until the 2026-2027 season. 

AUDITION INFORMATION

Please wear the following during your audition:
  • All black bottoms and a neon-colored top
  • Pants or dance shorts with flesh colored tights under are acceptable
  • Tops should be form fitting; sports bras, full-length tanks or halters
  • Jazz shoes or tennis shoes may be worn
 
Hair and Makeup
  • Hair and makeup are to be game day ready. This means hair is to be worn down and styled
  • Makeup should include foundation, blush, neutral shadows, false eyelashes, and a pink lip
 
Do not wear watches, rings or jewelry other than stud/post earrings. Nude nail polish or French Manicure only. Tattoos must be covered.
You must be able to perform the following: 
Turns: clean jazz triple pirouette, triple coupe’ turn, one 8 count of seconds into a triple pirouette, triple pirouette into plié coupe’ triple turn
 
Kicks: front, side, back and tilt
 
Extensions: leg hold on the right and left side. Front/Side Leg hold turn right and left side
 
Leaps: split leap, jump in seconds (Russian split leap), turning leap with a back attitude (Calypso, standing and to the ground)
 
Other: Illusions, Aerials (one side), Attitude turns, Needle, all splits, Kip up, headspring
 
Extra (preferred but optional): back handsprings, back tucks, front handsprings, front aerials, running tumbling
 
*Feel free to display any additional tricks or tumbling in the Freestyle portion of your audition.
DateTimeAudition Event Location Attire
Sunday, April 2112pmAudition application and video submissions due Virtual via application link Black shorts and NEON Top; Full Hair + Makeup; White, non-marking sole shoes or Jazz shoes
       
Wednesday, April 14End of DayJazz and hip hop preparation: videos will be sent virtually to applicants who have been accepted into the next round Virtual via email invitation only Black shorts and NEON Top; Full Hair + Makeup; White, non-marking sole shoes or Jazz shoes
       
Saturday, April 279am - 5pmIn-person jazz and hip hop auditions and interviews Haas Pavilion Black shorts and NEON Top; Full Hair + Makeup; White, non-marking sole shoes or Jazz shoes
       
Tuesday, April 305pm - 8pmTraining camp (invitation only) Hearst 230 Black shorts and NEON Top; Full Hair + Makeup; White, non-marking sole shoes or Jazz shoes
       
Wednesday, May 15pm - 8pmTraining camp (invitation only) Hearst 230 Black shorts and NEON Top; Full Hair + Makeup; White, non-marking sole shoes or Jazz shoes
       
Saturday, May 4TBAFinal team selections announced Virtual via email  
The in-person auditions and interviews will be conducted in three (3) rounds on Saturday, April 27 starting at 9am in Hearst 230. 
 
Round 1 Round 2 Round 3

Across the floor/warm-up

Audition Jazz

Announce round 2 candidates

 

Audition Hip Hop

Announce semifinalist

 

Personal Introduction (30 seconds)

Solo or Panel Interview

Announce training camp candidates

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT

The 2024-2025 Dance Team will be announced via email by 12pm on Saturday, May 4th. 

If you do not receive an email with results by 1pm the next day, please email head coach Areli Kovalevskij at coachk@berkeley.edu.