Illinettes

MARCHING ILLINI AUDITIONS FOR THE 2024 season are now open!

Audition process

Prospective students interested in joining the Illinettes Dance Team must participate in auditions in April.  The Illinettes Audition will consist of technique, fundamentals, and learning audition routines. Please note that if you make the team, there are a few Illinettes summer sectionals, and UDA camp where attendance is mandatory.

Instructions for Submitting a Marching Illini Video Audition

  • Create your audition video FIRST – be sure you can upload it to the audition platform OR if you have multiple videos, edit them and submit your video audition in 1 link either through YouTube or GoogleDrive
  • Submit our on-line audition registration form
  • Upload a video in the audition form OR copy a link to your video in the field provided – if you submitted the audition registration form already without your video audition, send Professor Houser (bhouser2@illinois.edu) an email with a link to your audition video
  • Submit the audition registration form

Round One Video Audition Requirements for Illinettes

  • Wear a black sports bra and black dance shorts or you may wear black leggings. Wear proper dance footwear.
  • Be sure your hair styled, fully down or half-up.  Make-up should be “performance ready” (eyeshadow, lipstick, blush, fake eyelashes, etc.)
  • Introduce yourself, including your first and last name, your age, where you are from, and what year in school you will be in the fall
  • When you record, make sure the camera is facing you so we see you, not your reflection in a mirror
  • In addition, be sure your camera is stable – it is best not to use a “camera operator” to follow you – keep the camera as stable as possible
  • Video of you executing technique, double, triple or maximum pirouette turns on the right and left, a jeté leap, a leap in second, a calypso (capezio) leap, and flexibility (ability to do both right and left splits, front and side battements on right and left), and turns in second
  • Record a video of YOU performing an original 1-2 minute jazz or hip-hop routine
  • Watch this video about The Audition Process
  • Once you record your audition video, see the information below for submitting your Marching Illini Video Audition
  • Round 1 Video submissions due April 1 at 11:59pm

Final Round In-Person Audition Requirements for Illinettes

  • Individuals will be contacted after Round 1 videos have been evaluated by our outstanding judges
  • Wear a black sports bra and black dance shorts or you may wear black leggings. Wear proper dance footwear.
  • Be sure your hair styled, fully down or half-up.  Make-up should be “performance ready” (eyeshadow, lipstick, blush, fake eyelashes, etc.)
  • Marching fundamentals
  • Technique across the floor
  • Learn a traditional Illinettes dance
  • Personal Statement about why you would like to be an Illinette
  • Learn a new jazz/hip-hop routine
  • Announcement of new team, team picture, and uniform/merchandise measurements
  • Those chosen to move on to the final audition will be requested to come to campus April 20