Sundancers hold tryouts for upcoming year

Southeast Missouri State’s competitive dance team, the Sundancers, will hold its 2016-2017 tryouts on Saturday, April 30, in the Student Recreational Center-North.

The Sundancers perform at all football and basketball home games, as well as other community and athletic events. The team also dances nationally at Ohio Valley Conference. tournament games for Southeast basketball.

Sophomore Sundancer Jamie Tomaszewski said the team is looking for passionate candidates.

“It’s just a great group of girls to be around,” Tomaszewski said. “Every day we’re doing what we love, getting to represent SEMO also, and making best friends at the same time.”

The Sundancers love to perform as much they love to show their school pride. Tomaszewski said her ideal teammate is “someone who’s fun, someone who’s dedicated, loves dancing and is just a good personality. Someone who’s always uplifting and good to be around.”

Tomaszewski emphasized the importance of a positive attitude when it comes to being a Sundancer.

“I’d say that’s pretty much how everyone is,” Tomaszewski said. “I wouldn’t say there’s anyone that’s ever down or sad or unhappy with anything. It seems like everybody really likes what we do.”

Round one of the tryouts is a morning session lasting from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This session is only required for new dancers. Participants will learn and perform the Southeast fight song sequence followed by a jazz sequence. Technique evaluations will wrap up the session and first-round cuts will be posted shortly after.

Round two evaluations will begin at 1:30 p.m. and are slightly more intensive. Both new dancers and returning dancers must learn and perform one jazz and one hip-hop sequence, which will be followed by another technique evaluation and a final round of cuts.

Tomaszewski’s advice to new applicants is to bring an open mind to the tryouts.

“Just be ready to work,” she said. “It’s a long day, but you always have to put your best foot forward and have a good attitude. That’s something they really do notice, so just be happy and have a huge smile on your face the whole time.”

The tryouts can get intense, Tomaszewski admitted, especially for dancers coming out of high school. The transition into college-level dance can be challenging for incoming freshmen.

“I remember when I auditioned I was really overwhelmed, but it’s nothing that anybody could handle,” Tomaszewski said. “It’s a long day. There’s a lot of dancing and remembering stuff, but it’s fun.”

Being a Sundancer takes a lot of hard effort and practice, but Tomaszewski believes the work is well worth it. She is happy enough to just keep dancing in college, but the bond she has formed with her teammates is another huge reward.

“Our team is so close this year,” she said. “I love having the friendships I do and still get to do what I love. I think that’s the best part.”