2024-2025 (NOW CLOSED)
Before tryouts, please review the Dance Team Handbook:
Tryouts will consist of an online application, the Rice Fight Song, and a hip hop combo.
The online application is due Sunday, August 25th at 11:59 pm.
Below are the links for Fight Song and the hip hop combo. Both of these need to be learned before the Tryout Workshop on Sunday, August 25th. You will review the material during the workshop but the Captains will not TEACH the material so be prepared!
Fight Song:
Fight Song (Tutorial with Counts)
Hip Hop Combo:
In addition, all of the following commitments are mandatory:
Tryout Workshop:
- August 25th, 7:30-9:30pm Autry Court (Tudor Fieldhouse)
- Review tryout hip-hop combo and Fight Song, answer questions about tryouts
Tryouts:
- August 26th, 7:30-9:30pm Autry Court (Tudor Fieldhouse)
- Perform the hip-hop combo and Fight Song
First Week:
- August 28th, 7:30-9:30pm Autry Court (Tudor Fieldhouse)
- First team practice
- August 31st, 9-11am Autry Court (Tudor Fieldhouse)
- Team practice
- August 31st, 6pm Rice Stadium
- First football game!
Ultimately we are seeking:
- Collegiate technical skill and ability to pick up material quickly
- Coordination and rhythm
- Strong movement and attention to detail
- Crowd appeal and poise
- Positivity, genuine spirit, and enthusiasm
- Engaging performance quality
- Team-player mentality and a sense of commitment to the program
- Potential to contribute and grow with the program
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the time commitment required to be on the team?
- We practice Monday and Wednesday nights from 7:30-9:30 PM and perform at home football and men’s and women’s basketball games.
- I have CTIS training during workshops, tryouts, or practice times. Can I still join the team?
- Yes. We support and work around the CTIS course schedule as well as other required academic conflicts. Please contact us regarding schedule accommodations for this type of conflict.
- What style of dancing does the team perform?
- We perform mostly hip hop, jazz, and pom routines at games. Additionally, we have the flexibility to perform any style during our annual Spring Show, including lyrical, modern, and ethnic genres.
- What kind of dance experience do I need for tryouts?
- While no specific dance experience is required, dancers are expected to pick up choreography quickly and pay attention to detail so that the team looks clean and cohesive while performing. You must be able to perform at games that last several hours. Our choreography typically includes simple techniques such as high kicks, double pirouettes, calypso, etc.
- Are there any team dues?
- No. The team hosts fundraisers to cover team expenses. The only things you’re required to pay for is jazz shoes and makeup/lashes.
- Does the team travel to away games?
- We don’t typically travel to away games unless they are short-distance road trips or tournament game appearances.
- Who can try out for the dance team?
- All Rice Undergraduate students with good academic standing are invited to try out.
- Besides dance, how does being on the dance team benefit my time at Rice?
- Our team members and alumni can attest that the best part of being on the team is the bond and camaraderie that you build with your teammates. We have traditions and activities aimed at building relationships within our team and with the wider Rice community. We invite you to be a part of it!
Please email us or DM us on Instagram (@riceowlsdanceteam) if you have any questions.
