Rockettes cheerleader try-outs planned for May.

Apr 29 2010 by Sandra Walls, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON student Allana Paterson is hoping to gain a place in the Scottish Rockettes for the sixth season in a row.

Allana (24), currently in her fourth year of study for a BA (Hons) in Psychology at the University of West of Scotland, plans a future career as a forensic psychologist based in Scottish prisons.

She has danced and cheered her way to the top as one of the most popular cheerleaders in the Scottish Rockettes, the official dance team for the Scottish Rocks, Scotland’s only professional basketball team.

Allana, of Bellshill, began with the Rockettes in 2005, and has committed herself to their demanding expectations.

She said: “I plan to become a forensic psychologist in a Scottish prison and hope to work with the prisoners.

“It’s a far cry from dancing and cheerleading, but I know I won’t be able to be a cheerleader forever.

“However, until I’m refused a place in the team, I will continue to dance and train hard as I love being in the Rockettes.”

Allana now helps the auditionees get ready and gives them advice on how to stay focussed.

The Rockettes Pro Dance Team are hosting open auditions at D W Sports Fitness, Glasgow Fort, Auchenlea, Junction 10 off the M8 motorway, on May 9, at 12.30pm.

They are auditioning for girls aged 18-35-years-old, who have a dance training and/or gymnast background to join their spectacular cheerleading force.

Allana, who attended Noble Primary and Bellshill Academy, has turned into one of the Rockettes’ most valued members. However, she will also have to audition to keep her place on the pro team.

She said: “The auditions are fun but they are gruelling and will make you work to your full capacity.

“The Rockettes have no place for girls who just want to shake their pom-poms and pose a little. The dance routines and workouts, as well as the other test, are all extremely demanding a difficult.

“The standards for getting through to the final stages are gruelling.

“Girls coming to audition should expect and be prepared to work hard.

“The auditions are held over a two-week period. In the first week, there is a full warm-up with D W Sports Fitness instructors, then onto fitness classes like body attack and kickboxing.

Dance squad manager Carole Anne Deeney oversees everything the girls are doing, as well as taking them through their flexibility tests, splits measured, and an endurance test with the heart monitor.

During the first week, the girls also learn the first part of a dance choreography.

If they are good enough to get through to the second week, they will do more fitness tests and learn the second part of the routine, which they will perform in front of Carole Anne and other specialised judges.

Judges look for other traits like looks, posture, appearance, gym work, flexibility and dance ability.

Allana added: “I have been with the Scottish Rockettes for five years but I will still have to do all the rigorous tests that the new girls will be doing.”

The final part of the auditions is that the girls will perform their full dance routine and then answer a series of questions on why they want to be a Rockette.”

For an application form call 0141 334 4600 or visit www.scottishrockettes.com/tryouts