By Jay Betsill
DALLAS — Since it is the hottest time of the calendar year in North Texas, it means it is time for the Dallas Mavericks Dancers to select the latest edition of the “Hottest Dance Team in the NBA.”
For the 2012-13 auditions, the action moved to Gilley’s Dallas, giving the ladies the opportunity to dance on a wood floor like the one they perform on in front of 20,000 fans at American Airlines Center.
The process to become a Mavs Dancer officially began in May with the prep classes at Elevation Fitness. The first round of auditions began at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 14, with 246 hopefuls on hand to perform for third-year director Mallory Mills and the panel of judges.
Chris Arnold, Mavs game emcee and sports talk show host on 105.3 The Fan, was the host for the day’s action, which began with the ladies performing freestyle routines. The first round of cuts came at 12:30, followed by the veteran Mavs Dancers (Lauren, Paige, Emily, Sequel, Bonnie and Rachael) teaching the remaining dancers a new routine.
“If your number is not called,” Arnold announced to the group of anxious ladies awaiting their fate, “it does not mean your dream of becoming a Mavs Dancer is over.” He went on to explain about the opportunity to try out again next season after this year’s experience as well as the auditions to dance for the Texas Legends, the Mavs D-League squad.
After learning the entire routine from scratch, they had to perform it for the judges in groups of four. There were more cuts, followed by a third round of dancing to Crank it Up by David Guetta (feat. Akon) courtesy of the Official DJ of the Mavs, DJ Whiz. The final cuts of the day brought the total to 54 hopefuls who would return to Gilley’s Dallas on Sunday, July 15, for the last round of auditions, which will include the 10 dancers who are returning from last season’s squad.
For those who survived the first day, it could be viewed as only the beginning with the finals auditions and training camp still to go before the final squad is named.
For more photos and videos from the Dallas Mavericks Dancers, visit HERE
