Andrea Carney shouted directions over a rap song as she taught a hip-hop routine to about a dozen students auditioning to join the Urban Dance Troupe.
On Wednesday night, the Urban Dance Troupe held “part two” of their auditions in the Theatre Building. The group is a hip-hop-based dance organization made up of students on campus.
Kirk Delacruz , the group’s president, said the dance troupe originated at Penn State Altoona in 2005.
Carney, a second year member, said the Urban Dance Troupe is distinct from other dance groups on campus.
“We have a special bond and we are all creative,” Carney (sophomore-public relations) said. “Actually, all the performances are made up by the members.”
Delacruz said the Urban Dance Troupe is the only hip-hop group on campus to hold auditions. Unlike other dance groups on campus, the dance troupe does not have showcases — they only perform at events.
Wednesday night’s auditions began with Delacruz, Carney and two other group members performing a 45-second dance to those auditioning. Following the performance, Carney broke the dance down into segments to teach the routine.
Cristina Gonzalez was among those auditioning. She said the Urban Dance Troupe caught her eye at homecoming.
“They are very uniform, fluid and seem to be having a good time,” Gonzalez (junior-bio-behavioral health) said.
Gonzalez and others who auditioned will know if they made the cut by Sunday evening.
Delacruz says the Urban Dance Troupe is not looking for a set number of people, but strong dancers who will blend in well with the other members. The Urban Dance Troupe currently has 12 members.
Mikal Nelson, an Urban Dance Troupe member, said he enjoys being a part of the dance group because it is different compared to other clubs on campus.
“I can be active and move my body unlike other clubs where everyone is just sitting,” Nelson (sophomore-industrial engineering) said.
Delacruz (senior-secondary English education) encourages other dancers to try out in the future.
“We are all really close,” he said. “This is going to sound cliché, but we really are a family.”
