The opportunity to join the Clogging or Folk dance team is yours when you participate in tryouts on Aug. 31 for the Folk team and Sept. 1 for the Women’s Clogging team.
There are two mandatory tryout times for the Folk Dance team on Aug. 31, with both tryouts held on the Kirkham Stage.
The first tryout time is 8:00-10:00 a.m. where the professors will teach the dance routine which will need to be known for the Folk Dance Team tryout later that evening from 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Gary Larsen, a faculty advisor over the Folk Dance Team, said he is looking for three things at the tryouts: footwork, good stamina and ability to perform.
“Perhaps the most important is the ability to perform ... The ability to involve the audience by making it look fun and easy, having high energy and sharing the love of dance is one of the most important things you can do on stage,” Larsen said.
The Folk Dance Team will rehearse on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00-10:00 p.m. and some Saturdays as well. The team will be learning approximately six pieces of choreography in a couple of months to perform for Extravadance, Larsen said.
“There are a lot of stresses that come with school. [When I was going to BYU] I even loved going to rehearsal because it gave me a break from study. It is also a great social environment. Some of my best friends have come from the dance teams I have been on, including my wife,” Larsen said.
On Sep. 1, the Women’s Clogging team will have their mandatory tryouts from 3:00-6:00 p.m. on the Kirkham stage. From 3:00-4:00 p.m. there will be instruction on tryout routine and from 4:00-6:00 p.m. there will be the actual tryouts. Those interested in trying out must have a freestyle ready and wear clogging shoes.
Charles West, a faculty advisor of the Women’s Clogging team, is looking for projection of technical ability and enthusiasm.
“The two combined really make a high performance quality and an enjoyable show,” West said.
There are two sections of the Women’s Clogging team, beginning and intermediate/advanced group, and each section has eight positions open for fall semester.
The Women’s Clogging class meets from 3:00-4:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. They will be learning approximately three routines for the Clogging Festival, Dance Showcase and perhaps half-time shows during Intramural games.
“We’re excited to get a new group together, to work hard and perform to the best of our ability,” West said.
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