Dance, Dance, Dance!

The Solar Power Dancers are one of three dance teams holding tryouts at
the Mohegan Sun on March 16.

By Colleen White

UNCASVILLE—The Connecticut Sun will be holding open tryouts for all three dance teams as well as National Anthem singers on March 16. Under the direction of coordinator Rachel and Shana Pirie and managed by Claire Czerniuk, the Sun Beams, Sunsationals and Solar Power will perform at Connecticut Sun home games throughout the season as well as appear at team events in the community.

The Sun Beams will hold auditions for energetic boys and girls between the ages of 7-15 with registration beginning at 8 a.m. Tryouts for this high-energy squad will run from 8:30 a.m. -10 a.m.  Auditions for the Sunsationals, comprised of men and women who are 50 and older, will begin with registration 11 a.m. and the audition will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Candidates for this fan-favorite team will learn and perform a short hip-hop routine, dancing in groups before a judging panel.

Auditions for the Solar Power Dance Team will round out the dance portion of the day with registration beginning at 1:30 p.m. and auditions from 2-3:30 p.m. Made up of male and female dancers ages 17 and up, Solar Power members have both hip hop and technical dance backgrounds and perform at every home game. 

All dancers must pay a $20 non-refundable registration fee. They must also provide a non-returnable 5x7 headshot and current dance resume, and must be able to commit to all Sun home games and scheduled practices as well as community appearances, a photo shoot and other scheduled events. Dancers should wear active wear, a t-shirt and dance sneakers or tennis shoes with non-marking soles. Those who are chosen will be notified by email the following week. Results will also be posted on the Sun’s social media channels.

National Anthem auditions will be held beginning at 4 p.m. with registration starting at 3:30 p.m. Audition order is a first-come, first served basis. The audition is open to individuals and small groups and instrumental acts. Anyone selected will be contacted the following week to discuss game availability. Professional attire is required.

All auditions will be held in the Earth Meeting Rooms inside the Earth Expo and Convention Center at Mohegan Sun. Anyone looking to audition should enter through the Winter parking garage and follow signs for the Expo Center main entrance. Pre-registration for all auditions is encouraged by not required. Anyone interested can pre-register by visiting https://sun.wnba.com/dance-team-auditions/.

The Sun will open the 2019 WNBA season on Saturday, May 25 against the Washington Mystics. Game time at Mohegan Sun Arena is set for 7:30 p.m. Visit ConnecticutSun.com or call 1-877-SUN-TIXX for more information or to purchase tickets.

—with staff reports