Should you be a Knight’s Cheerleader? KnightinGal tryouts on Sunday
My wife’s dance moves are more shag/wedding dance moves, but I’m still forwarding this to her.
The Charlotte Knight’s cheerleading squad – The KnighinGals – will host preliminary tryouts this Sunday at Charlotte Athletic Club presented by Hickory Tavern. Registration begins at 10 am. Audition graphic:
First, let’s cover the requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age or older as of January 2015
- Proof of age must be presented at time of audition
- $20 Cash non-refundable audition fee due at time of audition
- Must bring a recent, clear head shot. Head shots will not be returned
- Two-piece dance attire with midriff exposed and appropriate dance shoes
- Required to sign the Charlotte Knights application, liability and photography waiver
- Must have reliable transportation and contact information
- Must be able to commit to a full season of games, appearances and rehearsals
We asked 6 questions to Jennifer, the Knight’s Director of Cheerleading.
Q&A below.
(1) What do you look for in the tryout process?
We are a dance team, so of course we are looking for dancers and gymnasts. However, a big part of what we do is fan interaction, so we are also looking for ladies who are great public speakers and comfortable not only in front of a crowd but one on one as well. We are looking for positivity and enthusiasm, for ladies who are well spoken and great role models, who truly love the city of Charlotte and are ready to represent this town. Of course…we are looking for ladies who LOVE baseball as well!
A look back at prior auditions! (2013 & 2014) @KnightinGals @KnightsBaseball
A photo posted by KnightinGal Heather (@knightingalheather) on Feb 3, 2015 at 7:22am PST
(2) How many KnightinGals will you hire?
Last season I chose ten. This year I am looking for twelve, but it depends on what the judges see at tryouts. I am expecting between thirty and forty to come out, but there’s no real way of knowing.
#scorpion A photo posted by KnightinGal Heather (@knightingalheather) on Aug 10, 2014 at 8:50pm PDT
(3) How do the tryouts literally work?
Tryouts consist of three rounds: preliminary, semi finals and then finals. The first two rounds will take place on February 8 at the Charlotte Athletic Club. Ladies will begin arriving at 10 am to register and have their photos taken. We will begin teaching the first round at 11 am. They will learn a basic routine, which they will then come back and perform in small groups in front of a panel of judges. We will make a first cut, then repeat that process for the second round with a slightly more difficult routine. After that round, we will select our finalists.
The finalists will join us for “boot camp” the following week, consisting of two nights of dance to learn the Finals routine at Anne Marie’s Academy of Dance in Huntersville as well as a hardcore workout night with a personal trainer to test fitness, attitude and commitment.
Finalists will join us at BB&T Stadium on February 15 in front of a special panel of judges. They will go through an interview with key staff and the judges, and then will perform the final routine in small groups. The 2015 squad will be chosen that day.
This seems like a lengthy process, and it is, but it is necessary to help choose the right people for the job. Our season is intense and we need to evaluate the ladies in terms of their ability to learn and perform choreography quickly, attitudes, fitness, speaking skills and personality in front of a camera. Also, no one’s spot is guaranteed; veterans need to work hard to prove they deserve their place on the team
(4) How are KnightinGals compensated?
KnightinGals are compensated per game and also receive several other perks during the season. Most of all, they are given opportunities to better themselves and their dancing skills and to serve their community in ways they most likely would not be able to otherwise. We do several appearances during the season, travel together to a professional cheerleading convention in Atlanta and, of course, get to spend time with the BEST fans in baseball every Saturday at BB&T!
A photo posted by KnightinGal Heather (@knightingalheather) on Aug 10, 2014 at 8:50pm PDT
(5) What’s the best part about being a KnighinGal?
Baseball cheerleading is absolutely unique, unlike cheering for any other sport. There are no sidelines; we dance on the field twice during every game, but otherwise we spend every other minute of the game interacting with the fans. We do various promos during the game, visit the suites, greet fans on the concourse, lead the 7th inning stretch with kids over the outfield and more! Our ladies must also understand the game and pay attention to what is happening, as their game day schedule is based on the actual pace of play, rather than on a time clock.
(6) Any other interesting things that Charlotte should know about?
This is our third season with the Knights. Our first season was their final summer at The Castle in Fort Mill. Outside of this, our ladies attend school and have full time jobs. I love empowering our ladies, and often invite them to choreograph dances, seek out appearance and charity opportunities, and offer their ideas for game day. We have had several of our veterans running our pre audition clinics; our final clinic is this Thursday at 8:30 pm. It will be a super fun Pom style dance.
Photos: courtesy of KnightinGals
This story was originally published February 4, 2015 at 1:12 AM with the headline "Should you be a Knight’s Cheerleader? KnightinGal tryouts on Sunday."