IN A GROOVE
Newser falls short as Nets dancer
I AUDITIONED for the Brooklyn Nets dance team on Sunday — and managed to bust every move but the right one.
When my editor asked me, “Want to try out for the Brooklynettes?” I jumped at the opportunity as visions of jazz hands and kick lines danced through my head.
It wasn’t long until I regretted my decision. The Brooklynettes are an NBA professional dance team, so their standards are high.
As I walked into the Long Island University gymnasium, I was surrounded by 300 beautiful women in colorful crop tops and spandex booty shorts.
Only 16 spots were available on the team of 18, and two were reserved for the captains. The auditions are a grueling three-day process. The first day of auditions includes two elimination rounds, which are crucial in bringing the competition down to 70 women. During the first round, we learned a four-move combination, which included pirouettes, leaps and kicks.
I danced for 12 years, but it's been a while since I stepped foot on a stage. My goal was simply to make it across the floor without falling flat on my face.
The pressure was on, and trails of sweat trickled down my back. Two lines of dancers effortlessly leaped across the floor at a time. My turn was coming up, and I had only 20 seconds to flaunt my inner diva.
I took a deep breath and remembered what Luam Keflezgy, celebrity choreographer and guest judge, told me before I hit the court: "Go for the gold. Give it everything you got. This moment is all you have."
I put on my brightest smile and launched into a series of hip shakes, leaps, pirouettes and high kicks — and amazingly landed on two feet.
Then my mind blanked. My face turned the same shade as my bright pink shirt. I broke into nervous giggles. Not knowing what to do next, I shook my hips and leaped in the air — over and over again. Needless to say I was kicked out after the first round.
Adar Wellington, the dance coach who’s been with the team since they were the New Jersey Nets, said she’s looking for women who exhibit dance versatility, athleticism, confidence and have an interesting story.
“We’re looking for stars. It’s like putting together a girl group,” Wellington said. “You just have to have that ‘'IT’ factor. It’s something that’s not taught. I think everybody has it. It’s just pulling it out of yourself."
I may have failed to conjure up my inner IT factor during my 20-second number, but 70 other women exuded enough Brooklynette star quality to advance into the second day of auditions.
Katie Latkotko, 23, a professional dancer from Connecticut, said she made it to the semifinals for the second time. Last year she made it to the final round, but failed to make the cut.
“I feel like I’ve grown a lot in the past year, so I wanted to give it another go,” said Latkotko. “This year I can see it. I can see myself on the team.” As for me, it looks like the only place I’ll be shaking my groove thang will be in the clubs. The new team will be announced Tuesday.