It is our mission to uphold the pride and tradition of the Augustana Vikings through the unification of the student body, alumni, and fans. We will support as many athletic events as possible and promote a positive game-day atmosphere for Augustana University.
AUGUSTANA DANCE TEAM TRYOUTS
Saturday, May 4th
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Augustana Elmen Center
This Tryout/Recruitment Questionnaire is required.
*Those who are unable to attend the tryout may submit a video audition via email to Betzi Plucker prior to April 30th. Please email Coach Betzi (betzi.plucker@augie.edu) for more information regarding a video tryout.
The Augustana Dance Team is open to all current, and incoming Augustana students. AU Dance is one half of the Augustana Spirit Squad, the other half being the Augustana Cheer Team. The Spirit Squad works closely with the Augustana Athletics Department and game-day promotional teams to ensure a fantastic game-day experience. All team members will receive a scholarship, which needs no additional forms/information to be eligible.
AU Dance does plan on competing at UDA Nationals in Orlando, Florida in the 2025-26 school year. This addition to the way our program is set up is expected to be a large transition. This means that we will be looking for a high caliber of dancers with a high expectation of commitment both in time and financially.
Dance Tryout Attire
Black dance shorts/skort, a fitted tank or t-shirt (white, navy, or black), and turning shoes. Hair should be worn down (note: a small part of your score is "overall image." It's in your best interest to look game-ready).
What to bring to tryouts
Each attendee must have filled out the recruitment questionnaire online prior to the tryout. Correct attire, any items that you need for performing (braces, tape, etc), and a water bottle.
Dance Tryout Requirements
Technique section: Kicks, jumps/leaps, and turns across the floor and out center.
Choreography section: Will learn a combo involving jazz, pom, and hip-hop elements during tryouts.
Other: Participants will also be judged on overall performance/spirit and game day image.
General Team Information
Performances
AU Cheer and Dance team members will be required to be in attendance at all AU home football games, AU home basketball games, and any playoff games. All athletes are required to participate in fundraising and campus, community, and volunteer activities as needed.
Practices
The AU Dance Team typically practices 3 times a week.
Workouts
Each athlete will be required to attend scheduled team workouts.
Team Camps
Mandatory home camp is held prior to UDA Camp in August. This is typically a 2 -3 day camp, held in Sioux Falls, and costs $400 per team member due the first day of camp. Team photos are taken at this time, and home camp is valuable in learning team home routine (performed at UDA Camp), as well as the AU “look.” More information on home camp to come!
Dance UDA camp will be held August 1-4th in Wisconsin Dells, WI, at the Chula Vista Resort and Hotel. The team is responsible for fundraising the cost of this camp, and any remaining camp costs not raised in our fundraising efforts will be the responsibility of each athlete. UDA camp is a great opportunity for our team to gain game-day knowledge and experience, as well as push our teams to their full potential. UDA Camp is where the team learns all of their halftime and timeout content for the upcoming season and will be AUDT’s third time attending.
Costs
Anticipated costs include a home camp fee of $400, team tennis shoes, tan turning shoes, team earrings, body basics (tights, undergarments, etc), warm-ups, and other required spirit wear items the athlete keeps, such as sweatshirts, backpacks, etc. Official AU uniforms will be provided by the program. Items paid for by the athlete are theirs to keep. Some items are purchased rookie year only and won’t be purchased every year.
Uniforms and gear for AUDT are expected to cost $200-$300 their rookie year. Our team store order typically opens in May.
Other
All new team members are required to get a physical done by a doctor, along with other AU-required medical forms, before camp in August, and have it on file at Augustana. Each athlete will meet with an Augustana Athletic Trainer to complete a concussion baseline test on the first day of home camp.
If you have any questions:
Online Dance Tryout Information
Video submissions are due prior to April 30th, 2024
Please tape the following and put them together into one video (preferably an unlisted YouTube video)and email the link to your tryout video to Coach Betzi Plucker prior to April 30th, 2024.
Please do one skill right after another with no wait time, as there is the ability to rewind the video to rewatch.
1st Segment: State your full name and where you are from.
Right leg leap
Center leap
Calypso leap
Optional leap/jump of your choice. Examples: toe touch, turning disc/toe, ring leap, firebird, aerial, etc.
A hip-hop trick of your choice. Examples: tumbling (handsprings, tucks) rubberbands, head kip, kip up, stall of your choice, etc.
2nd Segment: Turns
Double or triple or more pirouettes (right side)
1 eight count of fouettes a la second (Fouettes with a straight leg end with a double or triple)
Recommended - Optional Bonus turns: changing spot, reverse changing spot, turns with illusion, multiple rotations etc. of your choice
3rd Segment: Choreography
Send a 1 min routine you have learned and or performed before of any style of dance within the last year. Preferably jazz, pom, or hip-hop (or a mix of any styles). Make sure you perform, and that judges can see facials! This should be recorded of you alone, not a team performance. (See optional for that.)
4th Segment: Augustana Style
The Augustana Fight Song to band - be sure to include the vocal callouts.
(RAH RAH RAH & Go Augie Go)
Music Can be found here
Video - Fight Song performed by Dance (White Dress)
* Optional: You may also send extra footage of 1 past dance routine if you want. Please write in notes where you are in the formations.
GOOD LUCK & THANK YOU!
