The First Step
Jonah BallowWolves Editor/Writer
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"Boom Boom Pow" by the Black Eyed Peas set the tone for a bumping Thursday night at the Graves 601 Hotel. 120 dancers piled into the ballroom to display their talents in front of six judges that made the first round of cuts to eventually form the 2009-10 Timberwolves Dance Team.
After two prep classes earlier this month, the scene was set for the best turnout in five years for the Dance Team. Dance coordinator Erica Lentsch was elated to see the large numbers and high skill level from the ladies.
"We are very excited. I think our final number ended up being 120 girls. Not only did we have so many great girls, but they're talented, have the look and this is going to be a really hard process," Lentsch said.
Jonah Ballow with Erica Lentsch In contrast to years past, the tryouts took place at the luxurious Graves 601 Hotel instead of the practice gymnasium at the Target Center. First, the dancers stretched in preparation for the grueling three-hour workout before former Wolves dancer Stacey took the stage to provide instruction.
Stacey effectively displayed the steps for the dancers and the 120 girls followed in an attempt to strut their best stuff for the judges.
"Tonight, we're going to have to narrow it down to 35 and I don't know how we are going to do it. There are just so many great girls here," Lentsch added.
To gain a closer look at each dancer, groups of five were placed together for the next round. The ladies orchestrated freestyle moves along with the instructed dance steps to the widely popular Black Eyed Peas jam.
During the intense audition session, the dancers faced another nerve-rattling obstacle by performing in front of two of the original members of the inaugural 89' Wolves Dance Team. Celebrity judges Jackie Mason and Kathy McClusky evaluated the girls from a unique perspective, 20 years after the first team was assembled. "It was a little more of a cattle call the first year," Mason remembered. "It was a brand new team, it was a brand new organization. They had a really specific program that they were after. Half the city, it felt like, came out for it. We were in a big auditorium. It was fun, but it was a little wild."
Mason thoroughly enjoyed the memorable 1989-1990 Wolves season, " It was wonderful. It was very electric every night being a part of it and being in the center of it because we were right down on the court all the time. You really felt like you were a part of it. It was very exciting."
Hmmm, how exciting?
"Too many memories. Too many secrets we can't divulge," McClusky laughed.
Ok, so back to the task at hand. McClusky explained the specific criterion that encompasses a Timberwolves Dancer, "A real wholesomeness. I think they are ambassadors for Minnesota. They'll be on TV, they'll be out in the public and I think that they need to be approachable and friendly and warm and just that Minnesota nice."
Jonah Ballow with Jackie Mason and Kathy McClusky The judges compiled their thoughts for the final decision to cut the number to 35 dancers at the end of the night.
"It is very difficult. I try to remind them that each year is a new year and every year we are looking for different things and the team has different needs that we are trying to fill. So I encourage them to come back and re-audition next year," Lentsch said.
The next step for the girls that advanced is a round of interviews on Monday, July 27 at 5:30 PM. Training camp begins the following day and the final team will be unveiled on Sunday, August 2 at the Graves 601 Hotel. Stay tuned to timberwolves.com for complete 2009-10 Dance Team coverage.
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