Showgirls

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about TCU Showgirl auditions:  

WHEN AND WHERE ARE AUDITIONS? TCU  Recreation  Center  Saturday,  April  25th,  2015  9  am–8  pm WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO AUDITIONS? 2-piece attire: Top: Dance/Athletic Bra Top Bottom: Black hot shorts are preferred, black jazz pants are also acceptable Any type of dance shoes or athletic shoes

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A TCU SHOWGIRL? Our judges will use the following selection criteria: Dance Technique, Personal Appearance, Enthusiasm, Poise, Showmanship, Personality and High Kicks ARE THERE ANY HEIGHT & WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS? You should look well-proportioned in dancewear. We DO NOT have specific height and weight requirements; however, a lean/toned figure looks best in our uniform. HOW SHOULD I WEAR MY MAKE-UP? Wear shades that will complement your natural beauty. Please remember we are a performance group and you must wear make-up that can be seen from a distance. HOW SHOULD I WEAR MY HAIR? In a current hairstyle that complements your features. TCU Showgirls wear their hair DOWN for all performances and appearances unless stated by the director. WHAT  ARE  PREP  CLASSES?  They are non-mandatory dance classes that provide excellent preparation for the upcoming audition. Classes are run from 7:00-8:30 p.m. and will be held in the Schollmeier Basketball Complex (across from the BLUU and Recreation Center). They are taught by TCU Showgirl Captains on the dates below. *Please note that there will be construction around the building and parking may be limited. There are no spectators allowed, please plan accordingly.

Tuesday,  April  7th     Thursday,  April  9th  

Tuesday,  April  14th     Thursday,  April  16th      Tuesday,  April  21st       Thursday,  April  23rd  

CAN I AUDITION BY VIDEO TAPE?  Videos will be accepted, but must be in house no later than Thursday, April 23rd (deadline for video auditions only) and must include your tryout packet. In addition to the video, you must attend at least one prep class and include one of the routines on the video that you learned in that class. The judges must see the candidate perform our style of dancing. There will not be ANY EXCEPTIONS. Also on the video you must include at least a 45-second jazz performance, a 45-second hip hop performance, and a 45-second pom performance highlighting yourself. You must also have a series of technical skills: jetes, switches, switch center, toe touches, turns double and triple left and right, turns in second, kicks and splits and any other technical skill you would like to include. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or e-mail the Director, Lindsay Westbrook at l.m.westbrook@tcu.edu CAN MY FAMILY WATCH AUDITIONS? No. The auditions are closed to the public.

Questions about making the team: What are the dancers schedules like? There are mandatory practices two-three times a week. Football game weekends will include practice with the band on Friday for an hour and game day practice on the field four hours before kickoff for an hour. We dance/cheer at all home football, basketball (men’s and women’s) and most baseball games throughout the year. What about the schedule during the holidays? Thanksgiving, Christmas? We do not meet for our regular practice for final exams or the holidays. Games during these times are not cancelled; we still perform during the holiday games and hold additional practices for bowl games.

Do the Showgirls travel to games? We travel to away football games that are close enough to take a bus. For the 2014 season, we traveled to all SMU, Baylor and Texas. We will always travel to the bowl game at the end of the season as well as to the basketball tournament in the spring. There may be limited spots available to travel. How many spots are open for next year's team? Are there alternate positions available? There are not a set number of spots available. The cut off will be based on the break in scores determined by the judges. We currently do not offer alternate positions, but you can always tryout again next year!

What's the best way to prepare for tryouts? Which dance classes are recommended? The best way to prepare is to keep working on your technique and taking some jazz and hip hop classes. Stretching is very important as well to maintain flexibility and reduce muscle shock the day of tryouts. Do TCU Showgirls perform throughout the year? Yes. The Showgirls perform at all home football games, basketball games and most baseball games. Further, we are needed for various appearances and pep rallies. Does the team compete? The team has competed in the past at the NDA National Competition in Daytona, FL. However, we are now a Game Day Only Squad and do not compete. What are the perks to being a TCU Showgirl? Being a TCU Showgirl has many perks. The Showgirl name is recognized throughout the community. As dancers, being a Showgirl fulfills our desire to perform and keep on dancing. Things to expect include team posters, lots of pictures, great memories, best friends, unique opportunities and creating your place on campus as a member of the Showgirl family. In addition you will be able to perform for one of the best athletic programs in the country. The TCU Showgirls have performed at the Fiesta Bowl, Poinsettia Bowl, Rose Bowl, marched in the Rose Bowl Parade and even performed at the Super Bowl XLVI. This year, the Showgirls performed in Atlanta Georgia for the Peach Bowl. This is also the city where our famous Cowboy uniform is on display at the College Hall of Fame. Most recently, the girls performed on stage with Big and Rich for CMT’s Kickoff to the National Championship.