dancers

Josh Cohen

2018-19-orlando-magic-dancer-costume-portraits

2018-19 Orlando Magic Dancer Costume Portraits

2018-19-orlando-magic-dancer-dress-portraits

2018-19 Orlando Magic Dancer Dress Portraits

ORLANDO – If you’re looking for a short, but powerful, way to sum up Friday’s Orlando Magic Dancer Auditions, the event’s location may help incite a good, and accurate, description.

Amway Center’s Disney Atrium, the main entrance for the award-winning, high-tech venue and always a charming site for special occasions, was where the 2018-19 squad was formed.

At the conclusion of the event – when 20 of this year’s finalists fulfilled or revived a dream – it was the American legend himself and one of his inspirational quotes that most precisely told the grand story.

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”

Walt Disney’s assertion from back in the day was an incredibly fitting slogan on this action-packed night, especially for the six newest additions to the team.

Ever since she moved to Orlando nine years ago – a time when she fell in love with the Magic and the dancers while taking in the action from her stadium seat during the NBA Finals in 2009 – Kathleen hoped one day she would be able to wear a Magic Dancer costume and perform on the court.

“I was in awe of these beautiful women,” the Medford, N.Y. native said. “I was in shock (when she heard her name called) and I told Jeanine (Klem-Thomas, Magic Entertainment Teams Manager) I don’t think I will be able to wipe this smile off this face for weeks.”

Kathleen, now, can share that tale with all of her new teammates, including fellow rookie Carolyn, who has a similar story to tell.

Born and raised in Orlando, Carolyn looked up to the Magic Dancers when she was young and aspired to be just like them. So, as you could imagine, it’s a dream come true for her to be in the shoes of those she once admired from afar.

“As a young woman, as a little girl growing up going to Magic games, it’s very much a part of the community,” she said. “So being able to be amongst this group of very empowered, very strong women who signify so much in our community – that’s very positive, that children look up to and that I looked up to at one point – it’s surreal, it’s definitely very very surreal.”

“Being a community activist, being a leader in the community,” she added about what she’s most looking forward to this upcoming season.

Even for those who have been down this road before, the energy and enthusiasm of the event and the thrill of finding out they have reclaimed their spot on the team doesn’t fade.

“Never gets old,” said Nicole F., a team leader who will take the court for a seventh consecutive season. “But the nerves do get higher and higher every year just because you know what you have to lose.”

Returning team members like Nicole and Desiree, who rejoins the team for a third straight year, are extra eager to get back into the swing of things because of how unique the upcoming season will be.

“I’m looking forward to the big 30th anniversary with all of the alumni and dancing with everybody and sharing the court,” Desiree said. “I’m just excited for another amazing season.”

orlando-magic-dancers-presented-by-baha-mar-casino-excited-to-get-2018-19-season-started

Orlando Magic Dancers presented by Baha Mar Casino Excited to Get 2018-19 Season Started

ORLANDO – One by one after hearing their audition numbers called, the 30 Orlando Magic Dancer finalists walked forward and convened at the center of the RDV Sportsplex gym, the site of Saturday’s first round tryouts.

The distance of that walk – though for most of the finalists it turned into more of a sprint – was not a far one, probably about 10 or 15 feet from where they were initially waiting with tremendous anticipation.

However, the thrill of the moment and the delight of finding out they each are finalists made it seem like the distance traveled was far greater. And in many ways – on a more symbolic level – it was.

The journey to get to this point, though their respective paths certainly differ, made that seemingly short and effortless stroll ahead feel more like a cross-country race.

Regardless of whether it was a finalist’s first time auditioning or if they’ve been down this road before, knowing they have the opportunity to compete for one of the 20 open spots on the 2018-19 squad brought unmistakable joy to all of their faces.

For some, it’s always been a dream to be a Magic Dancer.

Adrianis, who is auditioning for the first time, has dreamed about being on this team ever since she was a high school student and performed at Amway Center during halftime of Magic games. For three straight years, she got a taste of what that experience is like, and now she’s hoping she can step onto that court under the bright lights more regularly.

“It would mean a lot (if she made team),” she said. “It would be very exciting because I consider Orlando my home, it’s where I grew up.”

“I’m excited to meet a lot of people and I’m also excited to learn more about what the team is about,” she added about what her expectations are for the rest of the audition process. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Amaya, another first-time finalist, shares a very similar story. The thought of being a Magic Dancer has motivated her for as long as she can remember.

“Ever since I was little, I just wanted to be on that gym floor,” she said. “I worked hard, trained every day, danced every day and I’m here now and it’s unbelievable.”

Hard work and perseverance has paid off for Jenna, who has been dancing since she was 3 years old. Amazed by how talented all of her fellow finalists are, the 20-year-old says this opportunity is humbling and flattering.

Like the other 29 finalists, Jenna is looking forward to the week ahead. Starting on Sunday, all 30 finalists will participate in fun, yet challenging, assessments. The boot camp portion will help the judges evaluate each dancer’s fitness and conditioning levels. There also will be interview sessions, which will allow representatives of the Magic to help gauge how energetic, passionate and committed each of the women are about dance and being a part of the Magic family.

“I can’t wait to start tomorrow and get into my interviews and just kill it all week,” Jenna said.

The audition process never gets old for veteran candidates, either. Kiki, who is hoping to make the team for a fourth straight season, is eager to get reacquainted with last season’s teammates and meet the women who are auditioning for the first time.

Already having experienced so much in her three prior years on the team, the New York City native has some important advice for first-time finalists.

“Stay focused and have fun,” she emphasized.

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Finalists Announced for 2018-19 Magic Dance Team

ORLANDO – Shortly after 3 p.m. on Saturday – roughly four hours prior to tipoff between the Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz – Maggie Scurlock arrived at Amway Center with her family. From that moment on, the 8-year-old from Huntersville, N.C. couldn’t stop smiling, couldn’t stop making new friends and, most of all, couldn’t stop dancing.

This wasn’t a surprise to her parents, Danny and Lisa, as they have come to know their daughter as someone who brings ceaseless joy to everyone she meets.

With that contagious smile and sparkling personality, Scurlock quickly emerged as the star of the night. Fulfilling her dream of performing with the Orlando Magic Dancers and spending the evening with her idols was everything she hoped for and more, an experience she and her family will cherish forever.

Scurlock’s mesmeric night was made possible by Dream on 3, a non-profit organization with a mission to make dreams come true for children with chronic illnesses, developmental disabilities or life-altering conditions. When learning about Scurlock, who has Down syndrome, Dream on 3 didn’t waste any time coordinating with the Magic to make her dreams a reality.

Elated to see Maggie, a cheerleader back home, in the spotlight and so happy, the Scurlocks know this experience will boost her spirit and enthusiasm even more.

“When she walked into the arena, there was nothing like it,” Danny Scurlock said. “These will be memories that she will never forget. When something small happens at home, she will talk about it for days. Well, this is going to go on for the rest of her life. She is going to talk about this for the rest of her life. We are so incredibly happy for her to have this experience.”

“She has a gift of making people feel comfortable,” Lisa Scurlock added. “People are drawn to her. I don’t know if it’s her smile or her laugh. She loves making people happy and people sense that and they love being around her. It was really neat to see all the cheerleaders excited when they saw her.”

Scurlock, who has a passion for cheering, loves basketball and adores the Disney character Sofia the First, specifically chose the Magic when this dream originated in her mind. The Disney connection and the fact that the colors of her cheerleading squad in North Carolina are the same as the Magic played a big role in her choosing Orlando.

Ecstatic to finally meet the entire family after months of planning, Magic Entertainment Teams Manager Jeanine Klem-Thomas felt Scurlock’s warmth and zest right away.

“When I met her she gave me the biggest hug like we’ve known each other for years,” Klem-Thomas said. “When I walked her into the actual arena, the court, she ran to the girls (Magic Dancers) and said ‘there’s my team, there’s my team.’”

Perhaps it was fate that connected Scurlock to the Magic as one of this season’s dancers, Julia, grew up in the same area just outside of Charlotte.

“When Jeanine said she was from Huntersville, I immediately texted Jeanine in all caps, I said ‘can you believe that Maggie is from the same town as me?’” Julia recalled with exuberance.

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Orlando Magic Dancers Help Make Young Cheerleader's Dream Come True

ORLANDO – Orlando Magic Dancer rookie Kara vividly remembers attending an audition final when she was 16. It was at that event while watching prospective Magic Dancers do what they love that she, too, wanted to chase that dream.
 

When she walked out onto the parquet floor of the Amway Center for the first time as a Magic Dancer prior to the team’s preseason victory over the Dallas Mavericks, Kara was overjoyed. The hard work, dedication and belief that she could turn a dream into a reality had come to fruition.  
 

“Our first game the other day it was just so surreal and it was such a great time, so much fun,” she said. “It was exciting but so nerve-racking. Once you’re out there, though, and holding your heart and everything, you’re like okay, this is good.”
 

Fellow rookie Chenise, who was a Junior Magic Dancer during her youth, was also spellbound during her first in-game experience on Thursday. While absorbing all the ambiance and pageantry, the Brevard County native felt extremely grateful to perform with her new teammates.
 

“I just wanted to soak everything in and enjoy the moment,” she said. “It was such a blast.”  
 

Even for those who have been on the team in prior seasons, the experience is still surreal. It never gets old or stale, says veterans Nicole F. and Cierra, and in many ways it gets even more breathtaking.
 

“I was counting down the days (until first game), we all were counting down the days,” said Nicole, a six-year veteran. “Even for Thursday night’s preseason game all the jitters come back, it’s super, super fun and exciting.”
 

“After being on it for two years, it only gets better,” Cierra said. “You become more and more grateful to keep earning back that spot to keep making those memories.”
 

All 20 of the 2017-18 Magic Dancers convened on Saturday hours before the Magic’s exhibition contest against the Miami Heat for a costume photo shoot. Hair stylists from Stella Luca Salon and makeup artists from MAC Cosmetics primped and prepped them for their photo shoot with the official photographer of the Magic Dancers, Michael Cairns.
 

The photo shoot is a great time for the dancers to bond and get to know each other better. It’s especially beneficial for the newcomers, who often seek advice from more experienced veterans.
 

“It’s such a thrilling experience to be able to do this huge grand photo shoot and get all dolled up,” Chenise said. “It's just been fun getting to see everyone’s personality come out.”
 

“Photo shoot is such an awesome day,” Nicole added. “It’s just one of those days we get to hang out, have fun. We all have a lot of small talk on the side so we actually get to bond and get to know each other.”
 

While for the rookies every moment will be fresh and exhilarating, the veterans also look forward to creating new and exciting memories as this season evolves.
 

“This year I’m looking forward to being a more seasoned vet and to really be able to be there for a lot of the new girls and to have the experience and ability to pass down what I’ve learned,” Cierra said.

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Orlando Magic Dancers Start Season With Costume Photo Shoot

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2017-18 Orlando Magic Dancers Dress Portraits

2017-18-orlando-magic-dancers-costume-portraits

2017-18 Orlando Magic Dancers Costume Portraits

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We appreciate your understanding and flexibility.

Due to Tropical Storm Nicole, the NBA has announced that the Dallas Mavericks at Orlando Magic game on Wednesday, November 9 will tip-off at 5:30 PM. Amway Center doors open at 4:30 PM.