"On August 15th, Bay Area news outlets announced that the Warriors would be hosting an audition for a fourth dance team. Only this time, it would be open to both men and women age 55 and up—no experience needed. It was a no-brainer that my grandmother, a 65 year old ballerina and seasoned praise dancer, would audition" -- Sunari Weaver-Anderson
It is the first Monday of September, and my grandparents interrupt my last minute effort to complete homework, proclaiming a crisis. My grandmother is aggressively scrolling through Amazon, mulling over shoe options for her upcoming Warrior’s Dance Team audition. I advise her to go with ombre yellow sneakers or a snazzy pair of glittery Skechers. Yet, for the possibility of a mid-audition outfit change I suspect, Loretta orders both.
On August 15th, Bay Area news outlets announced that the Warriors would be hosting an audition for a fourth dance team. Only this time, it would be open to both men and women age 55 and up—no experience needed. It was a no-brainer that my grandmother, a 65 year old ballerina and seasoned praise dancer, would audition. She was the perfect candidate. The week leading up to the September 8th audition was one filled with excitement, worry and the occasional bout of regret. Watching the week, and the audition itself unfold, I thought it would be interesting to get into the mind and perspective one of these participants.
As her granddaughter, I have gotten to watch Loretta McFarland perform, practice and dance for most of my life. I grew up going to church, and with my grandmother, performing whenever the occasion called for it. From Easter service performances to Valley Bible’s annual Christmas pageant, I have gotten to witness my grandmother in all of her grace and glory, as her number one fan. So naturally, when Kron 4 announced the auditions on a Wednesday night, I knew this would be something I would be eager to share with the people around me.
Sunari Weaver-Anderson: How did you come across the audition, and what made you go for it?
Loretta McFarland: I. . . saw it on the news. And I thought it would be a fun thing to do. I love to dance, I love the Warriors; what’s not to do?
SW: I remember it taking you about a week to decide that you were going to follow through. What ultimately made you want to audition?
LM: Well, I mean, I just thought: “What’s the worst that could happen, I don’t make the team.” So, there was no downside to it. I thought I might meet some new people, it would be a fun day. I mean, there was just no down side. [chuckles] They couldn’t kill me.
SW: The week before the audition, I know you had some things to get in order (i.e. an outfit, registration). Can you walk me through some of those preparations?
LM: Well, I wanted to represent, so I got myself a Warriors tee-shirt. And I wanted to have Warrior colors. I really didn’t have to do much. I already work out 2 times a week, I dance, so I was ready. Just wanted to look the part. . . you know I have a thing about clothes anyway, so. All that extra Warriors gear? I’m gonna wear it on Warrior days [laughs] I thought I would send it back, but I’m keeping it!
On August 15th, Bay Area news outlets announced that the Warriors would be hosting an audition for a fourth dance team. Only this time, it would be open to both men and women age 55 and up—no experience needed. It was a no-brainer that my grandmother, a 65 year old ballerina and seasoned praise dancer, would audition. She was the perfect candidate. The week leading up to the September 8th audition was one filled with excitement, worry and the occasional bout of regret. Watching the week, and the audition itself unfold, I thought it would be interesting to get into the mind and perspective one of these participants.
As her granddaughter, I have gotten to watch Loretta McFarland perform, practice and dance for most of my life. I grew up going to church, and with my grandmother, performing whenever the occasion called for it. From Easter service performances to Valley Bible’s annual Christmas pageant, I have gotten to witness my grandmother in all of her grace and glory, as her number one fan. So naturally, when Kron 4 announced the auditions on a Wednesday night, I knew this would be something I would be eager to share with the people around me.
Sunari Weaver-Anderson: How did you come across the audition, and what made you go for it?
Loretta McFarland: I. . . saw it on the news. And I thought it would be a fun thing to do. I love to dance, I love the Warriors; what’s not to do?
SW: I remember it taking you about a week to decide that you were going to follow through. What ultimately made you want to audition?
LM: Well, I mean, I just thought: “What’s the worst that could happen, I don’t make the team.” So, there was no downside to it. I thought I might meet some new people, it would be a fun day. I mean, there was just no down side. [chuckles] They couldn’t kill me.
SW: The week before the audition, I know you had some things to get in order (i.e. an outfit, registration). Can you walk me through some of those preparations?
LM: Well, I wanted to represent, so I got myself a Warriors tee-shirt. And I wanted to have Warrior colors. I really didn’t have to do much. I already work out 2 times a week, I dance, so I was ready. Just wanted to look the part. . . you know I have a thing about clothes anyway, so. All that extra Warriors gear? I’m gonna wear it on Warrior days [laughs] I thought I would send it back, but I’m keeping it!
SW: It’s September 8th, the morning of the audition. Can you walk me through what that morning entailed—how were you feeling?
LM: I got up at 5 o’clock, I took a shower, I could not eat because I was very nervous. I put on my makeup, and I got dressed. I let my husband come, but he stayed in the car because it was a closed audition.
SW: The audition starts about an hour later than expected, there’s a huge crowd. How does the audition function, are there any surprises?
LM: It started much later than that. It was supposed to be registration at 9, and the audition from 10 to 1pm. We got there at 7:40, I was the first person there. You know, if you’re not 15 minutes early, you’re later. I don’t know where my head was, but I sat in the car with [your grandfather] and people started to get in line. Once there were about 8 or 9 people, I decided I should go get in line. And I did.
SW: It later came out that a cheerleader from the inaugural Warrior’s dance team was there. What was the crowd and the energy there like?
LM: Oh, there were alot of old cheerleaders, “has beens” there. It was some of everybody. There were people who had obviously been cheerleaders. You had people who were obviously dancers. You had the gamut. There was one lady there who had to be at least 90 years-old, but she got in front of the camera, and she had a good time! It was an amazing crowd. And there were some men too, about 6 men.
SW: So they have you stay once everyone is auditioned, about 40 groups in total, way more than expected. . .
LM: Well we learned a routine, as a group. It was like three to four hundred people there, they said. And it was really hard because you could hardly hear the people that were couching you, you could hardly see them. Unless you were right in front, which I wasn’t. So it was really hard. They weren't prepared for the big crowd. And they said that, they had no idea they would have that sort of turn out.
LM: I got up at 5 o’clock, I took a shower, I could not eat because I was very nervous. I put on my makeup, and I got dressed. I let my husband come, but he stayed in the car because it was a closed audition.
SW: The audition starts about an hour later than expected, there’s a huge crowd. How does the audition function, are there any surprises?
LM: It started much later than that. It was supposed to be registration at 9, and the audition from 10 to 1pm. We got there at 7:40, I was the first person there. You know, if you’re not 15 minutes early, you’re later. I don’t know where my head was, but I sat in the car with [your grandfather] and people started to get in line. Once there were about 8 or 9 people, I decided I should go get in line. And I did.
SW: It later came out that a cheerleader from the inaugural Warrior’s dance team was there. What was the crowd and the energy there like?
LM: Oh, there were alot of old cheerleaders, “has beens” there. It was some of everybody. There were people who had obviously been cheerleaders. You had people who were obviously dancers. You had the gamut. There was one lady there who had to be at least 90 years-old, but she got in front of the camera, and she had a good time! It was an amazing crowd. And there were some men too, about 6 men.
SW: So they have you stay once everyone is auditioned, about 40 groups in total, way more than expected. . .
LM: Well we learned a routine, as a group. It was like three to four hundred people there, they said. And it was really hard because you could hardly hear the people that were couching you, you could hardly see them. Unless you were right in front, which I wasn’t. So it was really hard. They weren't prepared for the big crowd. And they said that, they had no idea they would have that sort of turn out.
SW: The numbers are announced, do you feel the disorganization of the audition had any bearing on the outcome; on you not making the final cut.
LM: No, there were alot of people who I would consider “characters” there. People that, when ever there was a camera rolling, they would step in front of the camera, doing something. No, I would imagine they were looking for a “type;” characters. I saw a couple of the people who were picked to re-audition. There were some “used to be cheerleaders”. . . and they were, well, actin’ like cheerleaders. But I don’t know, I’m curious to see what the final team looks like.
SW: So they have you stay once everyone is auditioned, about 40 groups in total. The number of those accepted are announced. How are you feeling, what’s going through your head?
LM: First of all, I was number 10. I was in the second group to perform, to audition. The next time I go, I’ll be number 200. As every group is performing, the people in line are still learning the dance. It’s about memory, it’s all that stuff. I’m 65 years old, I need longer than an hour. Next time, I wouldn’t be the first person there. That way, maybe I’ll be number 90.
SW: That brings me to my next question, what lessons did you learn from this audition? In hindsight, what would you have done differently.
LM: I won’t be in such a hurry to get there. I learned lessons from this one. Then, I’ll still have time to perfect the routine. But I had fun, I met interesting people. I-I met someone whose name is Denise [laughs] my sister’s name. She was ahead of me in the line. A couple people from church were there, which was pretty amazing. You know Angelina the singer? Her mother was there. She didn’t make it either. I mean, I wanted to make it, and when they were calling the numbers, I wanted number 10 to be called. But, it wasn’t. I considered it a good day, I had fun, I was exhausted. We danced for three hours. I don’t even know if I could have danced again if they had called me, ‘cause I was done! They just weren’t prepared, but I didn’t consider it a loss, it was a great day.
SW: So, final question--
LM: —would I do it again? Yes I would. I’m gonna do it next year. Lord willing, and my health holds out, and my strength holds out, I’m gonna do it next year. It was great fun, I enjoyed it.
LM: No, there were alot of people who I would consider “characters” there. People that, when ever there was a camera rolling, they would step in front of the camera, doing something. No, I would imagine they were looking for a “type;” characters. I saw a couple of the people who were picked to re-audition. There were some “used to be cheerleaders”. . . and they were, well, actin’ like cheerleaders. But I don’t know, I’m curious to see what the final team looks like.
SW: So they have you stay once everyone is auditioned, about 40 groups in total. The number of those accepted are announced. How are you feeling, what’s going through your head?
LM: First of all, I was number 10. I was in the second group to perform, to audition. The next time I go, I’ll be number 200. As every group is performing, the people in line are still learning the dance. It’s about memory, it’s all that stuff. I’m 65 years old, I need longer than an hour. Next time, I wouldn’t be the first person there. That way, maybe I’ll be number 90.
SW: That brings me to my next question, what lessons did you learn from this audition? In hindsight, what would you have done differently.
LM: I won’t be in such a hurry to get there. I learned lessons from this one. Then, I’ll still have time to perfect the routine. But I had fun, I met interesting people. I-I met someone whose name is Denise [laughs] my sister’s name. She was ahead of me in the line. A couple people from church were there, which was pretty amazing. You know Angelina the singer? Her mother was there. She didn’t make it either. I mean, I wanted to make it, and when they were calling the numbers, I wanted number 10 to be called. But, it wasn’t. I considered it a good day, I had fun, I was exhausted. We danced for three hours. I don’t even know if I could have danced again if they had called me, ‘cause I was done! They just weren’t prepared, but I didn’t consider it a loss, it was a great day.
SW: So, final question--
LM: —would I do it again? Yes I would. I’m gonna do it next year. Lord willing, and my health holds out, and my strength holds out, I’m gonna do it next year. It was great fun, I enjoyed it.
