According Pro Dance 'n Cheer's Spirit Library, auditioning dancers should know the top 40 pop songs, as choreographers will often play a mix of popular tunes to test a dancer's improvisational skills. It is also important to remember that choreographers teach sequences at breathtaking speeds. To gear up for this, dancers should take classes that vary from their usual repertoire. Taking classes in such diverse styles as tango, lyrical, salsa, waltz, swing and even line dancing trains both body and mind to adjust quickly to any tempo. It also exercises muscles that might have gone lax because a dancer has settled in a repetitious workout rut.
Dancers should go into the audition with a positive outlook. You should understand the odds but do not let them drag down self-esteem or pep. Optimism is especially a must for Laker Girl auditions as the squad constantly participates in charity events and galas that swarm with press. Auditions can last for hours, so a good night's sleep, a hearty breakfast and protein-based snacks such as nuts and dried fruit can help a dancer keep up the positive energy throughout the day. While it is obvious that a dancer needs to stay hydrated throughout the day, a trick is to freeze a second water bottle overnight. By the time the auditioner finishes the first bottle, the second will be thawed but still cold.
To avoid wardrobe malfunctions or unsightly cosmetic smears, it is important to practice routines and work up a sweat in advance of the actual audition. Some girls can dance with hair long and loose while others get distracted and need to fasten hair back. It is also wise to test certain dance ensembles. According to "Dance Spirit" magazine, dance and cheer teams typically want auditioners to sport a two-piece outfit that shows off a woman's physique and muscle tone. Tan tights, white shoes and white socks are the norm.
While vigorous cardio and intense weight training is key to the performance ability and stamina of any dancer, yoga is also vital, especially when preparing for a rigorous audition. According to Dance Help, yoga not only improves a dancer's flexibility and elasticity, it also calms and hones the mind. Practicing yoga in advance of a strenuous physical endeavor trains the body to take full, belly-deep breaths that will maximize energy while also helping with balance.