By Scott Madson
Eighteen women hold the key to making sporting events more energetic, exciting and motivating to fans.
This week, these girls don”t need a game to display their moves, they plan on showcasing their talent at their home court.
The Cougarettes will be in concert Wednesday, March 10, 2004 through Saturday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Dance Studio Theatre at the Richards Building.
“What they bring to the theatre and to the stage is just exciting and it really is thrilling to watch,” said Jodi Maxfield, Cougarette artistic director.
The audience will have an opportunity to see one of the nations top 25 dance teams perform.
“It”s a great way for someone who doesn”t know a lot about dance to come and enjoy and gain an appreciation for the art of dance,” Kelsey Nixon, Cougarette, said.
The Cougarettes usually perform at halftime and other stoppage times at sporting events, where they perform drill team oriented dances that are aimed at motivating the fans. At the concert, the Cougarettes get the opportunity to show their artistic side by performing 16 original dance routines, Maxfield said.
Morgan Smith, Cougarette Secretary, said the concert differs from a halftime show because of the closer proximity of the audience.
“I think the best thing about the audience here as opposed to the halftime audience is that they”re right in your face,” she said. “You can see people”s faces and their expressions as you”re dancing.”
Maxfield said the Cougarettes have a variety of routines prepared for the audience.
“They”re going to see a lot of diversity from the Cougarettes,” she said. “They”re going to see dance styles ranging from hip-hop, to lyrical, to high energy Jazz.”
The Cougartettes have spent a lot of time preparing and choreographing the dances. Some of the dances are choreographed by the Cougarettes themselves. Cicily Gibbs, dance captain, said the audience will enjoy the performance.
“It”s sheer entertainment,” She said. “You are going to laugh and feel and experience emotions through watching the dancing, because we”ve put a lot of time and a lot of hard work into it.”
Maxfield said the Cougarettes have a good team this year including a strong mix of veteran Cougarettes and first year Cougarettes. Veteran Cougarette Smith said you automatically make 18 friends being a Cougarette.
The concert isn”t the only thing the Cougarettes have in mind. Immediately after the Concert the team will have two weeks to create and teach their routines for the Grand National Dance Team Championship in April.
Jenn Hawks, Cougarette president, is excited about the upcoming competition. She said everything they have done in the year builds up to the championships.
“The competition is really exciting,” she said. “We only compete once a year but when we do go, it”s really intense and it”s always the last thing of the year.”
The team has won the title 4 times since 1997 and Maxfield said it is about time they do it again.
“We”re ready to win again,” she said. “It”s been too long. Our last win was in 2001 so we feel like it”s our time.”
Tickets for the Cougarettes in Concert are $8 and can be purchased through the Fine Arts Ticket Office (801) 378- 4322.
