How to Become an NBA Dancer
Every year dancers from all around the nation (and globe!) make their way to the big city to chase their dream of becoming professional NBA dancers. From the iconic cheerleading outfits to the synchronized dance choreography on the court, becoming an NBA cheerleader is a lifelong dance dream for many. With hundreds of dancers showing up to professional dance auditions and only around 18 spots on the team each season, making it onto an NBA dance team is no easy feat.
Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images
Toronto Raptors v Chicago Bulls
It is important to remember that everyone has their own individual dance journey in becoming an NBA dancer. Some dancers have been training their whole life in different types of dance styles (ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop) while others started dancing later in life. Some dancers audition multiple times (as many as 5+ seasons) while others make it on their first attempt. It is important in remembering to always focus on your own dance journey and never get discouraged by someone else’s.
Below we are giving you the insider secrets on what you need to know in order to become an NBA dancer.
You must be least 18 years of age.
You must be at least 18 years of age by the start of the NBA season to be taken on the team as an NBA dancer.
Proficient in Jazz and Hip-hop.
You must be proficient in multiple dance types with a focus in jazz and hip-hop, as these are the most common styles performed on the court.
Many dancers attending pro dance auditions have been training in all styles of dance for a majority of their life. Do not let this discourage you if you are a more beginner dancer or feeling as though you are too old to start dance. There are countless NBA dancers, as well as NFL Cheerleaders, who have started dancing later in life. If you are learning to dance at an older age - be prepared to put the work in required to get to the professional dance level!
Research your NBA dance team.
Always research the NBA dance teams that you are interested in. You will need to look into:
The location
Styles of dance
Audition requirments
Dance team requirements
Prepare for NBA dance auditions.
Before showing up to NBA dance auditions, you will need to prepare in advance.
Things to prepare for dance auditions include:
Dance technique
Dance style
Showmanship
Physique
Interviewing - THE DANCE INTERVIEW WORKBOOK
NBA team knowledge
Resume and registration
Performing under pressure
NBA dance audition outfits (more information on pro dance audition outfits.)
Wondering how to prepare for an NBA dance audition?
Preparing for pro dance and pro cheer auditions.
Attend NBA dance auditions.
The final step in becoming an NBA dancer is to attend your team’s NBA dance auditions. Open dance auditions for each NBA team are held every season, generally in the summer months. Stay updated on the team’s announcements to find out when dance auditions are being held and what is required for the audition.
Stay up-to-date on when dance auditions will be held by:
Visiting the dance team’s official website (Located on the NBA team’s official website.)
Following dance team’s official Instagram account.
Checking in on our up-to-date NBA dance team auditions list. (Audition Dates and Informational)
Ray Chavez/Digital First Media/The Mercury News via Getty Images
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS DANCE TEAM FINAL AUDITIONS
The Audition Process
Audition processes may slightly vary depending on the season and the dance team.
A one to two week-long audition process takes place in the summer each year.Hundreds of dancers show up to NBA dance auditions each season, where they are then given an audition number in order of arrival. Auditions generally take place at the NBA arena or at a nearby practice facility for the dance team.
Choreography is taught on-spot and performed in small groups for a judging panel. Routines vary in style between Jazz and Hip-hop. Auditions generally consist of preliminary auditions before the final dancers for training camp are chosen.
NBA dancer training camp consists of learning choreography in different dance styles, across the floor technique, and dancer interviews. At the end of the training camp, you will showcase all of the dance choreography and across the floor combinations in front of the judging panel.
If you do not make the final cut, you will not always be told why you did not make the team. With countless dancers showing up to pro dance auditions, the organization is not able to give individual feedback to every dancer that showed up.
Tips for becoming an NBA dancer:
Attend the workshops that NBA dance teams hold before every dance audition season.
Prepare your body for the physical demands required in dance auditions and on an NBA dance team.
Work on your struggle points in dance (dance technique, flexibility, dance style, etc.)
Take ballet classes! (Ballet is the fundamental of dance and will drastically improve your dance ability.)
Get to know people on the team and other dancers attending NBA dance auditions.
Tips from current NBA dancers:
The best advice that I can give when auditioning for an NBA dance team is: to be yourself as much as possible, showcase your strengths, and focus on what makes you stand out instead of trying to blend in. The Brooklynettes are compromised of a diverse group of dancers who all bring something unique to the team!
Pamela, Captain of the Brooklynettes.
Take as many dance classes as you can so that you can familiarize yourself with the style and be your most confident-self on the day of the dance audition. Having fun and staying confident is the key! You got this.
Emma, Former OKC Thunder Girls.
I think it really helped me to take classes from dancers that I look up to well ahead of Luvabulls auditions, to work on my performance and movement quality. Personally, I took classes on STEEZY, which has classes from lots of great LA based choreographers. Also, take advantage of dance clinics and workshops! Even if it is not for the dance team that you want to audition for, it is good to learn from people already in the pro dance industry. Lastly, work on finding your individual strengths, highlighting them, and dance big!
Gabi, Current NBA Dancer (Chicago, IL.)
You’ve got to trust yourself during your dance tryout! Do not let anything in the room disrupt the confidence that you bring in or your focus during the audition process.
Emily, Current NBA Dancer (Phoenix, AZ.)
What to bring to NBA Dance Auditions:
As we mentioned before, becoming an NBA dancer can be a difficult road to travel, but one that is well worth it. Make sure if you do not make the team to keep your head up, continuing taking feedback to improve yourself, get into more dance classes, and KEEP GOING.
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