• Dancer First Audition Photo Gallery
• See the 30 Semi-finalists!

While the search for the 2007-08 Sixers Dancers continues at Chickie’s and Pete’s on July 18, it started on June 23 with auditions at Villanova University. Sixers Dancers Director Debbie Apalucci set the tone by telling the women to be supportive of each other throughout the day and reminded them that this was “a girl thing!”

The process began by determining whether or not the participants could do a series of dance moves in a straight line down the court called a traveling combination. Those that made it through the first cuts warmed up to learn the choreography for the next round. Once the choreography was taught, the girls performed in groups of four before a panel of judges made up of members from the Sixers business operations staff.

After the second round of cuts, members of last year’s team interested in auditioning again entered the group. And although they have been through this process before, it is no less intense as they attempt to keep their spot on the team.

“You know that you have to go out there and perform at the highest level,” said Vi, a member of last year’s team. “You have to shine!”

According to Dayna Hafetz, a former Sixers Dancer for seven years, finding a way to “shine” is a key aspect to the audition and is crucial in determining who should move on to the final phase of the process.

“Besides being able to pick up the moves, we also look for personality and high energy,” Hafetz said. “Those are characteristics that are essential when being on an NBA dance team. You can tell which girls love to dance; we look for the ‘it’ factor.” The “it” factor was one of the characteristics the judges looked for in the third-round, when participants were placed in groups of three to perform a routine to the song, “Wind It Up.” This portion of the audition included 10 seconds of freestyle dance at the end and ultimately narrowed down the group to just 30 women.

In her first year auditioning, Gabrielle was one of the lucky women chosen to move on.

“It feels so good to have made it this far,” she said. “I’m extremely excited and can’t wait to keep on dancing!”

The final Auditions will take place at Chickie's and Pete's in South Philadelphia at 7pm on July, 18 2007. The 30 semi-finalists will be narrowed down to the 17 who will form the 2007-08 Sixers Dance Team.

The final Audition is open to the public and free admission.

"The atmosphere at Chickies is electric! The place is packed and everyone there is in such good spirits," Veteran Sixers Dancer Kate said. “When we take that floor for the opening number, the crowd is cheering, your adrenaline starts pumping and you remember, ‘This is why I'm a dancer.’"

Having been through the experience before, Kate is aware of what is at stake for the 30 semi-finalists – and especially for any former Sixers Dancers looking to secure their spot for another year. She described to Sixers.com the toughest part for her during last year's final audition at Chickie's and Pete's.

"The biggest challenge last year was just getting over my nerves," Kate admits. "As a returning vet, I felt like I had more riding on the audition than my first year. The vets have to prove that they deserve to keep that spot on the squad. Even more so, I was nervous because I had grown so attached and passionate about being a Sixers Dancer, representing the organization and being a part of the Sixers family, that being a part of the team simply meant the world to me which coincidently rings true again this year."

Click Here to bid to be a judge at the Sixers Dancers Final Audition at Chickie's and Pete's at our Online Auctions. All proceeds benefits Sixers Charities!