NFL Buffalo Jills Cheerleaders

March 2008 - Audition Information

The NFL Buffalo Jills Cheerleaders hold open auditions for cheerleaders starting Sunday, March 30th, 2008. Auditions will be hosted at:
Carol Joy’s Fusion Dance Studio, 1584 Kenmore Ave. Buffalo, NY 14216
www.fusiondancestudio.org

Click here for the audition application

Jills Director, Stephanie Mateczun and well-known Choreographer, Kelli Wagner, insure that the Jills are in top-notch shape for game day performances as well as appearances. In addition to mandatory practices two times a week (Tues & Thurs, 6:30-10:00pm) and their full time work, school or mom schedules, the Jills participate in a variety of community events that involve the Buffalo Bills, Citadel Broadcasting, numerous charities and area businesses. The Jills also host a popular Jr Jills program for young cheerleaders/dancers, a Jill’s golf tournament and other great events throughout the Western New York area.
The minimum requirement for auditions is that each young lady needs to be at least 18 years old by the first audition date in March. There is no age limit. Formal dance and/or cheerleading experience are not mandatory but extremely helpful.

Being a Buffalo Jill requires a lot of time and dedication. You must have a significant amount of availability in order to fulfill your commitment as an NFL Cheerleader. Cheerleaders do not travel with the team; a Jill is obligated to participate in all 10 home games.

Practices:

Dance squad practices begin immediately following the final audition date.

(Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, 6:30-10pm.)

Ambassador squad meets every other Tuesday evening, 6:30-10pm.

Only a minimum number of absences are permitted throughout the season.

Practices are held at the Buffalo Bills fieldhouse in Orchard Park, NY.

Compensation:
Jills do not get paid for practices, game days or charity events. Jills do receive payment of $35/hr, for paid personal appearances that are typically 2 hours long. Number of paid appearances varies pending each Jill's availability. Each Jill receives one (1) game ticket per home game to give to a guest. Jills also receive commission on individual swimsuit calendar sales.

In addition, Jills receive many complimentary benefits from our annual sponsors such as: gym memberships, tanning, hair salon discounts, laser eye surgery, automotive discounts, dental & plastic surgery, limousine discounts, wireless discounts, photography discounts, numerous outside modeling opportunities, etc.

Travel & Troop visits:
Occasionally, the Jills are called upon by our armed forces to visit troops nationally and internationally. If available and selected, there are opportunities to travel with all expenses paid. Additionally, we are invited to participate in annual TV shows such as the “NFL Cheerleader Playoffs” & “Beauties on the Beach.” We also have the honor of sending one (1) cheerleader to Hawaii each year for the Pro Bowl. There is also our optional calendar shoot at a location TBA in May. We strongly advise obtaining a passport; some travel will not be possible without one.

Uniform Investment:
Upon making the team for the first time, each “Rookie Jill” is responsible for purchasing her own uniform, which will cost approximately $400. There is no refund if you get cut after purchasing your uniform.

Auditions run as follows:
All audition dates are closed to the public. Only young ladies participating in auditions will be permitted in audition area. Videotapes are not accepted for auditions, all candidates must be able to attend all audition dates in person.

There is an open, required workshop for all interested Dancer and Ambassador Jills on Sunday, March 30th, 2008 at 10am. Ending time will be determined by number of attendee’s. Please come early to check-in. The actual audition dance routine will be taught at this workshop as well as learning all the requirements for both the Dance squad AND the Ambassador squad. There is no fee for this 1st workshop. You will not be judged at this workshop however; it is still important that you look your best because video and photos are taken. There will be a short question and answer period during this workshop to help you understand what to expect throughout auditions and what is expected of a Buffalo Jill.

Additional practice workshop-Optional

We offer an optional, additional practice/ informational workshop. The fee for this workshop is $20. It will be held on Thursday, April 3rd, 6:30pm-9:00pm at Carol Joy’s Fusion Dance Studio (see above for address). This is a great opportunity to rehearse with the Jills Choreographer and learn helpful interview, attire and makeup techniques from Jills Captains & Management. This workshop is also very helpful if you’ve missed the first workshop or if you simply would like additional practice time and information. If you know in advance that you are auditioning only for the Ambassador squad, you only need to attend the 2nd half of this workshop at 8:00pm-9:00pm for $10. Many questions and clarifications will be made at this workshop.

Cuts:
1st cuts will be made Sunday, April 6th, starting at 10am-arrive early for check-in. There is a $45 audition fee due at the time of these auditions. Personal checks and Canadian funds are not accepted. You need to come to auditions prepared knowing the routine that was taught the week prior. You will perform that routine with 1 other young lady. (I.e. numbers 1 & 2 will audition together, 3 & 4 and so on.) There are no start-over’s, once the music begins, you must complete the routine. You will be asked if you would like to perform a tumbling pass but it is not required. (Must be at least a back handspring)

Young ladies auditioning for the Ambassador squad will be involved in brief self-introduction/interview with no dancing. Once everyone has completed performing or interviewing, Dance and Ambassador finalists (1st cuts) will be chosen. The number of 1st cut finalists will be determined by how many people audition.

If you are selected as a finalist, you will need to plan on attending 3 additional audition dates on the following Tuesday, April 8th, 8pm-?, Thursday, April 10th, 6:30pm-? and Sunday, April 13th, 10am-?. Additional cuts for both squads (Dance & Ambassador) will be made throughout these dates. If you make it through Tuesday’s cuts, only then, will you attend Thursday’s audition and so on.

Dancers will be judged on: Dance ability, showmanship, overall appearance, physique readiness, interview & presentation skills.
Ambassadors will be judged on: Overall appearance, physique readiness, interview & presentation skills.

Answers to common questions:

The only Jills exempt from auditions are four (4) pre-selected Captains.

There will be approximately 45 Jills selected in total. (Approx. 35 Dance and 10 Ambassador)

Typically, 150-200 young ladies audition.

Although there is no formal judging being done during the learning and practice workshops, it is imperative that you always look your best with proper attire and full hair & make up. Local media may also be present.

Once you make the team & purchase your uniform, there is still a possibility of being cut throughout the season based on performance & attitude. No financial investments will be returned.

The Jills are primarily a dance team with a strong base of Jazz and Hip-Hop styles. We do a minimum amount of stunting and tumbling but the ability to do so is a bonus. You will be asked at auditions if you can demonstrate any unique tumbling skills. I.e. back handsprings.

If you do not make 1st or 2nd cuts of the Dance squad, you can only be invited to continue the audition process for the Ambassador squad.

We welcome our Canadian friends to audition! Please note however; this is basically a volunteer position and border-crossing arrangements are your full responsibility. Employment Visa’s do not apply.

The NFL Buffalo Jills “Ambassador” Squad:
The Buffalo Jills Ambassador Squad is a small group (8-10) of young ladies that are “non-performing” Jills. They are chosen specifically for their specialization and availability for public appearances. You need to be pleasantly outgoing and conversational for this position. An Ambassador Jill is considered an NFL Buffalo Jills Cheerleader and receives a Buffalo Jills uniform and participates in all Buffalo Jills events, home Bills games and projects such as the swimsuit calendar. They attend fewer meetings/practices but are still required to adhere to all BJC rules & regulations. The Ambassador Squad is expected to have a significant amount of availability in order to fulfill their extended requirement of personal appearances. Ambassador Jills must excel at public speaking, presentation skills, confidence and mingling with others. Young ladies auditioning for the Ambassador squad are expected to attend all audition dates. If you do not make a cut, you do not attend the later dates. The final Ambassador squad will be announced the same evening as the Dance squad. If you audition for the Dance squad and do not make 1st or 2nd cuts, you need to be invited to continue the audition process for the Ambassador squad.

Requirements:

Applicants must be at least 18 yrs of age by March 30th, 2008. Absolutely no exceptions.

What to wear for both squads’ auditions:

A two-piece dance outfit in good taste. Sports bra or crop top with briefs or short-shorts; the judges need to evaluate your physique.

Flesh colored tights or pantyhose. We recommend Leggs Pantyhose, Sheer Panty/Sheer Energy/Suntan.

Sneakers or dance shoes. Bare feet or stocking feet are not acceptable.

No jewelry except for 2 small earrings and engagement/wedding rings. No body jewelry. (Includes: belly, nose, tongue, brow rings)

Make-up & hair must be glamorous & classic. Hair must be worn completely down with no clips, nothing trendy.

No visible tattoos. Any tattoos must be covered with make-up. We suggest www.Smartcover.com

If you make it to final cuts, you will need professional interview attire.

Ambassadors will need professional AND work out attire.

Please bring to the workshops and auditions:

Completed audition application to first workshop date.

Legal photo identification; driver license or passport. You will not be permitted to participate in any workshops or auditions unless legal proof of age can be provided.

$45 NON-REFUNDABLE application fee by Sunday, April 6th. Cash or money order only. Pay to: Citadel Broadcasting. (American funds only)

$20 additional workshop fee, due the day of that workshop, 4/3. – Optional

$5 audition music CD fee available at the first workshop date -Optional

NO resumes or photographs please. We will take Polaroid photos during auditions.

Audition applications will be available on our website closer to auditions. You may mail-in your application ahead of time if you prefer a quicker check-in process the day of auditions.

An application must be filed and ID must be shown at the first workshop date, for liability reasons. However, you do not need to pay your fee or make a commitment to audition until the second audition date on April 6th.

For more information, contact Buffalo Jills Director, Stephanie Mateczun at 716-888-9798 or Stephanie.mateczun@citcomm.com
www.buffalojills.net

Swimsuit Calendar Trip Information!

Every year, the Jills travel to an exotic location for our annual swimsuit calendar shoot. In 2008, we will be traveling during, May 19th-25th. Details on the trip will be posted as soon as they become available.

All Jills are invited to attend this trip but it is not mandatory. This trip is not free, however, we are able to negotiate an inexpensive group package. In years past the cost has been APPROXIMATELY $600+. Per cheerleader, for the full week. This includes airfare & hotel. An exact total will be quoted once the team has been selected.

* Passports may be necessary for the trip pending location. The typical time to receive a passport can be at least 8 weeks. You can RUSH a passport in 2 weeks for an additional fee. Passports can be applied for at your local Post Office.

* If you make the team and would like to come on the trip, all monies will be due within 1-2 weeks after auditions.

*Important: Pending arrangements, there may be an option for you to come for a narrowed part of the week (i.e. Wed-Sun) if so, you must book your own airfare and you will still be responsible for the full week financial portion of the hotel.

Coming on the trip does not give Jills preferred status in the calendar. Jills that are unable to come on the trip will have a photo shoot in the Buffalo area. The trip is simply a fun opportunity and unique experience with your fellow teammates.