Spirit Squads

Virginia Tech HighTechs
Tryouts

Thank you for your interest in the Virginia Tech HighTechs Dance Team. We are looking for well-rounded dancers who are confident, coachable, dedicated, driven, and passionate! Not only should you be committed to dance, but we are seeking members who are committed to being Ambassadors for Virginia Tech and the VT Spirit Program. 

2025-2026 Season
Audition Dates: April 25th & 26th

Location:  Cassell Coliseum VT Blacksburg Campus

  • April 25th is round 1and will begin at 5:00PM
    • Progression to round 2 will be emailed by 10:00PM
  • April 26th is round 2 and will begin at 9:00AM
    • New team announcement will be made by 10:00PM
      • Upon invitation to the team, you will be required to complete a VT Sports Medicine physical here on campus with our team physicians before the end of the weekend. They will be arranged after the tryout portion has been completed.

Tryout Application Submission:

  • By Friday, April 18that 6:00 PM.   No late applications will be accepted. 
  • Link below

Audition Requirements:

  • All graduating High School students need to bring a current copy of a physical (must be done within the last year prior to auditions). 
  • Dancers will demonstrate across the floor patterns, combinations (jazz and hip hop),
  • Sideline - VPI
  • VT fight song- “Tech Triumph” (you must know the words)
    • Mandatory skill list:
    • Triple & Quad Pirouettes
    • Two 8-Counts of Turns in Second/Advanced Turns/Reverse Directional Turns
    • Toe Touch
    • Calypso
    • Right & Left Tilt Jumps/Switch Tilts/Switch Arabesque 
    • Turning Disc
    • Headspring
    • Front Handspring 
    • Kip-up
    • Aerial (either side)
    • Overall Flexibility/Technique/Acro skills
    • You will have an opportunity to show skills not on the list

Audition Structure: 

  • Round 1 (Friday April 25, 2025: 5pm-9pm)
  • Across the floor
  • Jazz combination
  • Hip Hop combination
  • Fight Song
  • Round 2 (Saturday April 26, 2025: 9am-6pm)
  • Across the floor
  • Jazz combination
  • Hip Hop combination
  • Sidelines

Audition Attire: 

  • All clothing should be black for the duration of auditions.
  • Black tank top or sports bra
  • Black hot shorts/dance shorts, or black leggings
  • Black Joggers or sweatpants (optional for Hip Hop)
  • Jazz shoes or turners (any color)
  • Tennis shoes
  • Hair
  • Round 1 (April 25): secured away from face
  • Round 2 (April 26): down and curled to begin the day, we will secure it back as the day progresses
  • Performance/Game Day Makeup
  • NO extra jewelry permitted (studs are acceptable)

    Video Auditions Submission:
  • By 6:00 PM on Friday, April 18th.  
    • Note: you must still fill out the tryout application.
  • If you cannot attend in-person auditions, you may submit a video. Videos must include the following:
    • Brief introduction of yourself (not to exceed 30 seconds).
    • A demonstration of ALL technical skills listed under “skill requirements”.
    • You must perform our band sideline, VPI (Dropbox link)
    • You must speak the words to the fight song to the music (Dropbox link)
    • You must perform a jazz combination (45 seconds to 1 minute)
    • You must perform a Hip Hop Combination (45 seconds to 1 minute)
  • You must follow the attire protocol listed for in-person auditions for round 1.

ALL VIDEO SUBMISSIONS MUST BE RECORDED AND SUBMITTED IN A SINGLE TAKE. Edits may only be used when labeling each section, or between genres. All videos will be judged prior to the start of auditions by the same judging panel. Results for video auditions will be sent on the same day as in-person audition. 

OPEN PRACTICE DATES:

Open practices are an opportunity for all interested dancers to train with the coaches and current team members. 

Thursday April 3 (6:30-8:30pm)
Thursday April 17 (6:30-8:30pm)

Open practices will be held on the Main Court of Cassell Coliseum. You must see our athletic trainer, Maddie Dobscha, before participating in the open practices. The athletic training room is located on the first floor of Cassell Coliseum. You will need to bring your insurance card and allow 10-15 minutes to see her to be cleared before practicing. High school athletes will need a copy of their high school physical in order to participate in open practices. When seeing our athletic trainer, expect to fill out several forms regarding your medical history and emergency contact info.  If you are unable to come to the training room between 4:30 PM-6:00 PM, email Maddie Dobscha directly (mdobscha@vt.edu) at least 24 hours prior to attending.

Important Dates if you Make the Team:

  • April 27th: First practice of the season 10:00 AM-2:00 PM in Blacksburg
    • Upon invitation to the team, you will be required to complete a VT Sports Medicine physical here on campus with our team physicians before the end of the weekend. They will be arranged after the tryout portion has been completed.
  • June 20th -22nd: Summer Practice weekend in Blacksburg
  • July 17th-20th: In-House Camp in Blacksburg
  • August 16th: Report Date for Preseason 2-a-day practices (Will lead into first day of class)

Links for tryout application, forms, and Dropbox files
The medical form and the athlete information sheet can be found in the Dropbox folder and must be completed and uploaded to your application.  The parental consent form must be completed BY YOUR PARENT and uploaded to the application.