Who Wants To Be A Rainbow Dancer?

Being a Rainbow Dancer is a glam gig, and better yet includes a tuition waiver. So the competition was fierce when 41 women auditioned for just 22 positions

University of Hawaii sports team and their fans may bring their indomitable spirit to the games, but it’s the Rainbow Dancer squad that adds the razzle-dazzle. Not to mention sizzle.

Forty-three aspiring dancers recently auditioned for a piece of that magic as 22-plus spots on the 2007-2008 Rainbow Dancer squad were up for grabs - 22-plus because two guys also tried out.

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“Everyone was really pushing and showing that they wanted it,” said last year’s captain Jonelle Layfield, a senior, who like everyone else must try out every year. “It made the competition that much harder.”

Lauren Luna, Jacelyn Oshiro and Matt Malufau

Returning dancer Meg Southcott, a sophomore, agreed, saying she had to “step it up” after seeing the competition.

And there’s more at stake than just being a part of the glam girls. Dancers who make the squad receive a tuition waiver.

So the pressure was on when 19 returnees and a slew of other hopefuls, including two men, auditioned over three hours on a recent Sunday. They performed a cheering routine - the squad added cheering about two years ago - and strutted their stuff to the Pussycat Dolls’ Don’t Cha and Rihanna’s SOS in tryouts that emphasized technique over style.

“Make sure you don’t rush your jump - it’s about landing too,” instructed Yoori Kim, who choreographed a 30-second dance routine, which the auditioners learned on the spot and later performed in groups of five for the judges. “Don’t let your vees get too small,” the 24/7 DanceForce dancer added, referring to outstretched arms held high in the shape of a V. “They look a lot bigger when they’re wider.”

Led by director Marcelo Pacleb, the Rainbow Dancer squad is part of the UH band program and is to UH what the Laker girls are to the NBA team. They pump up the crowd during down times at all home football and men’s basketball games with sexy dance routines and cheers. They also get TV exposure during broadcasts and a yearly trip to the WAC basketball tournament, where the squad is always a favorite.

Jen Kim and Chenoa Gomes

“We were like celebrities up there,” Layfield said of last month’s tournament at New Mexico State. “People just respond well to the Hawaii dance team ... they asked us (to perform) for teams that didn’t have dancers there.”

They’ve also performed for the Pro Bowl, and at games in Hawaii and on the Mainland for the NBA’s L.A. Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks.

They also practice three times a week for two hours, run a mile to a mile-and-a-half every other day and do all their own fundraisers for trips.

Halfway through the auditions, six dancers were cut, including senior Leah Sewitch, a San Diego native who’s been dancing since she was 5. “I kind of messed up on my turns, which is what hurt me in the end,” the 26-year-old said. She said she had auditioned last year and returned once more because “I love being in front of a crowd, showing my passion and also representing UH.” And even if she was leaving without the desired result, she left feeling positive. “I keep trying. I try and have fun.”

Results of the audition were still unknown as MidWeek went to press last Friday.

“We are still deciding on the new team because there were so many good dancers,” said Gwen Nakamura, assistant band director. Following the audition, judges still had to review audition tapes sent in by dancers who were unable to make the tryouts.

Kelsey Park, a 17-year-old Castle High School senior, who dances for Pacleb’s 24/7 DanceForce, auditioned as an incoming freshman.

“I’d be so excited if I get that call,” said Park, referring to possibly receiving good news by phone. “I’d be ‘Yes!’ and getting myself ready.”

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