In order to tryout, you must have a current (within the last year) sports physical on file with the office.
For the 2021-22 season, tryouts are scheduled for April 27, 28, and 30. On the first two days, you will learn a routine. The last day of tryouts, you will perform the routine you learned for the judges. You will also show the judges a double pirouette, a calypso, a split leap, and a turn and leap of your choice. If you don't know what these things are, you can search for them on Youtube (there are tons of great instructional videos). Wear shorts, a t-shirt, and jazz shoes (if you have them) to the learning clinics. For tryouts, you must wear dark (black or dark blue) shorts, a white t-shirt (no writing on either shirt or shorts) and jazz shoes (or other dance shoes if you don't have jazz shoes... tennis shoes work too).
All dance team members must attend summer choreography clinics. These dates will be listed in your tryout packet.
Dance team members are responsible for costume fees, summer clinic fee, shoes, team-ware, and other personal items.
Our dance team performs at home girls' and boys' basketball games. We compete with the Illinois Drill Team Association and have qualified for STATE Competition five of the last six years (not including 2020/21 season), most recently coming in second in State in 2020 (which made three years in a row) for Kick category.
We perform several different types of dance including jazz, kick, hip-hop, pom, and lyrical. Mandatory practices are held after school two or three days a week until 5:15. There is also a possibility of some before school and weekend practices.
As set forth by the District #69 Board of Education, students may only participate in ONE sport per season. For that reason, any student who becomes a dance team member may not tryout for, or participate in, basketball, softball, baseball, volleyball, or cheer-leading. Dance team members are eligible to do cross country and track.
All dance team members must meet weekly academic eligibility requirements as stated in the student handbook. In addition, if a dance team member is excused from PE for any medical reason, they are not allowed to practice or perform. If a team member is absent from school, they are unable to perform the day of the absence.