FTryouts for the 2023-2024 season will be held on March 31 at 3:30pm in the COKSM Gym. Candidates must attend a mandatory tryout clinic on March 27 & 29, 3:00-5:00pm to learn the choreography for tryouts.
All prospective Crusaderettes & Crusaderettes-In-Training must be entering 5th-8th grade at COKSM (or any Charleston parochial school) for the 2023-2024 school year.
Tryout material will be taught during this 2-day clinic, along with a review of all the technical skills the candidates will be asked to demonstrate in front of a panel of judges at final auditions.
The following items must be turned in before candidates will be permitted to audition on March 31st:
The audition may end slightly earlier or later depending on the number of candidates auditioning.
What to Wear
Candidates should wear comfortable dancewear or workout clothing. Participants MUST wear shoes! Jazz shoes, half-soles, cheer shoes or sneakers are OK. Hair should be pulled back away from face.
No jewelry
All-black fitted clothing is required for final auditions on March 31. (Ex. Leotard or tank top with dance shorts or leggings)
Final Auditions
No spectators will be allowed to watch the evaluations.
Candidates will be judged by a panel of qualified judges.
Candidates will be evaluated in groups of 2-3, and judges will complete a quantified scoresheet for each dancer.
Candidates will perform a dance routine comprised of jazz, pom and hip hop styles as well as a sideline dance. The choreography will be taught during the clinics on March 27 & 29.
Judges will be scoring on the following factors:
Sharpness of motions and correct body placement
Showmanship & confidence
Knowledge of the material
Potential for improvement
Splits (left, right & middle)
High Kicks (left & right)
Toe touch
Double/Triple pirouettes - CDT requirements include a clean, double pirouette, but CIT candidates may choose to demonstrate a single pirouette.
Choice of Leap: Grand jeté, leap in 2nd, switch leap, firebird leap
Choice of Hip Hop Trick: Headspring, Kip-Up, front handspring
In addition to the required skills, prospective dancers will have the option of demonstrating up to 3 additional skills (ex. A la Seconde turns, Turning disc, aerial, leg hold, calypso, scorpion, tilt, etc.) This is your time to show off! We will have a tumbling mat available, but all skills must be demonstrated without the aid of a spotter.
Candidates are to remain for the full duration of the audition, as some dancers may be called back to audition again at the judges’ request.
At the conclusion of the audition, each prospective dancer will receive a letter indicating their results.
There will be a brief team meeting immediately following evaluations. Paperwork and schedules will be distributed to the new team. Please make sure parents review these documents and complete all forms and waivers to be returned at the first practice.