Beauty and Talent Shine: Part 1 of 3
Mary-Ann Williams
Monday February 12, 2001
Next door, others prepared. A long table crossed the large conference room, separating the judges from the judged. Familiar faces and unknowns sat together, ready to inspect, critique, and decide the futures of the competitors. Sports anchor Jim Rose of Channel 7 news settled in between Rush Director of Marketing Kevin McDonald and Steve Rifkin of Riffco Advertising. Beside Steve sat local man Joe Mascenic, winner of The Score’s radio contest, and next to him was WGN Radio’s David Kaplan. Channel 5’s Amy Jacobson, a veteran dance team judge came next, while Rush owner and general manager Alan Levin finished off the panel. Dance team choreographer Kim Keller and HoneyBear founder and Luvabull director Cathy Core paced the floor behind the table, holding their clipboards in front of them.
 Judges Steve Rifkin, Joe Mascenic, Dave Kaplan, Amy Jacobson and Alan Levin are guided by Cathy Core, clapping behind. Image courtesy of Drew Kennedy |
“I’m looking for a total package,” said the premier dance guru of Chicago. “I want a personality, a sense of humor. They need to speak well, be articulate. These girls will be representatives of the Chicago Rush. Height and weight must be proportionate. Concentrate on the way they dance, rather than how they look. Beauty is important, but we can work with looks.
“These girls take this very seriously. No matter what happens out there, you cannot laugh. There are times when it’s tough, but you cannot laugh.”
The nine judges settled into their task, keeping copious notes and studying each lady carefully. The dancers all came in together, a room full of beautiful, scantily clad women jumping and bouncing to the beat of the music, paper numbers pinned to their waists or chests. No sweats adorned this crowd. They wore shiny sports bras, flashy, colorful shorts, and came ready to move. As a group, they set out to impress, making eye contact with the judges, grinning, occasional yells escaping painted lips. When the music stopped, they lined up in rows of 10, 46 women in all.
Cathy addressed them with a smile and a brief overview of what the day would entail.
In round one of the judging, the women would compete in groups of 10, coming into the room to stand before the judges and introduce themselves. They would then have an interview session, each lady asked at least one question; some asked more. And last, they would have to show their flexibility with a kick-line and the splits.
 Choreographer Kim Keller sets the standard for the competitors. Image courtesy of Drew Kennedy |
The judges would then face the daunting task of winnowing the list of applications down to less than 25. Some would be definite yeses, others would be strong maybes, and the rest would go home. The maybes would get another chance to impress, refreshing the memories of the judges to their style, their abilities, and their physiques. And finally, the 18 would be selected.
The music started and the women filed out, dancing as they went, maintaining eye contact with the judges until they had no choice but to turn away.
A deep sigh escaped the judges in the quiet. The dancers had impressed. Not one lady seemed inadequate, incapable of the job at hand. All gorgeous, well-built, deserving of a spot on the squad. This was not to be an easy job.
Time to start.
The first 10 women pranced in, spinning, twirling, kicking and clapping their hands to the deep base of the music. Cathy welcomed them back and explained how the interview process would take place. In numerical order, the women were to step forward, state their names, where they’re from, their dance experience, and their occupations. Then, they were to turn and walk back to their places.
Knowing that the judges were looking for character as well as looks, the competitors turned on the charm. Bright smiles, bouncy steps forward, an occasional giggle here or there, they presented themselves before the table. Nanette was a professional dance instructor; Rebecca was a mom of two. One from as close as the south side; another from as far away as Poland, now living in Chicago. Some had taken classes since childhood; others had only practiced at a local club. All of them wanted a coveted spot on the squad.
 Nanette faces the panel, telling about herself, her dance experience and how she came to be there. Image courtesy of Drew Kennedy |
Cathy: #1, what is your dance background?
#1: I danced in high school.
Cathy: #9, how did you hear about the try-outs?
#9: A friend of mine. She`s here with me, but in another group.
Cathy: #5, what did you learn about Arena Football from the fact sheet I gave you?
#5: Oh, no! Um, I learned that the field is 50 yards long, that there are only 8 players on the field instead of 11, and that the players play both offense and defense?
Cathy: Very good.
Cathy questioned; the women answered; and the judges took notes. When everyone had a chance to answer, Kim stepped forward. Time to show how limber and adaptable they could be.
Tall, thin, dressed in black, the beautiful choreographer stood before the line, facing the judges. Counting in a quick eight-count, she showed the ladies what she wanted.
“Okay, this is it. Hold, 1-2-3-4, and bounce, 5-6-7-8. Prep on 1 and kick front on 2, kick 3, kick 4, kick 5, kick 6, kick 7, kick 8. And to the right, kick 1, center 2, left 3, center 4, right 5, center 6, left 7, center 8. To the middle, 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 & 7 & 8…”
The competitors watched intently, knowing they only had one chance to get this right. Kim rushed through, kicking high to the beat of the music. The judges sat back in their seats, enjoying Kim’s precision. So this was what they were looking for.
Done instructing, Kim stepped aside, nodding to her assistant to start the music. The line moved to the beat, most of them getting every bounce, kick and hold perfectly. The toes pointed straight out, the legs rose in the air, and the smiles stayed firmly in place. When they were done, Kim curtly called out, “Again!” And they did it again, though some breathed hard through the routine.
“Now, arms out, right leg forward, do the splits.” With practiced ease, the ladies slid to the floor, arms held out at the sides offering no support. Still, the smiles remained.
“Okay, up. Other leg. Arms out, left leg forward, down.” Again, down they went, unsupported except by the strength of their legs and determination not to fail. This time two of the women couldn’t make it, putting their hands to the floor on either side to balance themselves. Still they smiled.
“Thank you, ladies,” said Cathy. “You all did very well. You can go now.”
The music started again, and again the ladies jiggled and shook to the beat as they danced out of the room.
The other groups came in and performed the same tasks. Some did exceptionally well, others did not. One veteran dancer entered the try-out room with a series of somersaults and flips, garnishing the respect of the judges. For over two hours the women presented themselves before the judges and the judges listened, took notes, watched and wished that their job would be easier.
When they were done, there were no cuts. Everyone would be called back for round two.
Mary-Ann Williams lives in Chicagoland with her four children, Carter, Jackson, Jeremy, and Riley Jade. As a freelance writer, she`s written articles for the Associated Press, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and the Daily Herald. She also serves as editor of the AFL-side of Arenafan Online, and covers the Chicago Rush.
