2024 Detroit Lions Cheerleaders Auditions, Master Classes, and Pre-Audition Clinic
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Detroit Lions Cheerleader for the 2024-2025 season! As we continue into the ninth year of this program, there are hundreds of dancers who audition and train in hopes of securing a coveted spot on the team.
Auditions are held annually in the spring, typically in May, and training opportunities, including Master Classes and a Pre-Audition Clinic, are offered to candidates ahead of auditions. However, the city of Detroit is hosting the NFL Draft in late April which may impact our standard audition timeline. As soon as audition and training dates are available, we will post the information on our website and social media. To receive an email notification when information is available, please register your email address at the bottom of this page.
Audition Information & Requirements
We are looking for professional, technically trained dancers who will become high-profile ambassadors in the community representing the Detroit Lions brand. The Detroit Lions Cheerleaders perform at Ford Field for all Detroit Lions home games and lead fans with enthusiasm to create an energetic and exciting game day atmosphere. They also attend appearances in the community and act as role models within the city.
Auditions are held at Ford Field and the audition process will consist of a preliminary round, semi-final round, interview, final round, and a 'final look' rehearsal. Auditions are an elimination process, and cuts by round will be released throughout the day. Additionally, auditions are designed to provide equal consideration for all the candidates.
Auditions are free of charge and closed to the public, and walk-ups are not permitted – candidates must register in advance. On the first day of auditions, candidates must bring their completed audition application, a 4x6 vertical recent headshot, and you may also bring a business/entertainment resume if you wish.
Requirements
- Candidates must be age 21 by July 1, 2024 – NO EXCEPTIONS
- Must bring proof of identification and age (birth certificate or driver's license)
- Must be a high school graduate or have a GED
- Must be eligible to work in the United States. The Detroit Lions do not sponsor international candidates
- Must sign liability waiver and publicity release form at registration
- A valid passport is highly recommended. Please note, passports are not considered valid for international travel within 6 months of expiration date.
The Director and judges will look for dance technique and enthusiasm, showmanship, performance execution, ability to handle pressure in a large-scale capacity, overall poise and maturity, and professional business skills including public speaking.
NOTE: This may be your first time attending an audition of this nature and with anything new, there is a lot to learn. With that, it may take multiple times to audition before making a team of this caliber. Continuous training is recommended. If offered the job, be prepared to commit to a full-year contract.
Master Classes
Master Classes provide audition candidates an opportunity to train in a variety of styles of dance, and the classes are designed for the dancer to focus on refreshing and mastering basic skills for success as a professional dancer. These are dance classes only and audition choreography is not taught during these sessions.
Master Classes are offered in a variety of styles including jazz, pom, leaps & turns, sidelines, and hip hop and are taught at an intermediate-advanced level. These classes are instructed by industry professionals, Detroit Lions Cheerleaders alumni and staff, and current DLC captains. All classes will include a warm-up, applicable technique, and dance combinations taught at a rapid speed to mimic the fast-paced nature of DLC rehearsals.
Last audition season, 22 master classes were offered for training to provide candidates multiple opportunities to train.
Pre-Audition Clinic
The Pre-Audition Clinic offers an opportunity for candidates to learn employment information and audition tips to become a Detroit Lions Cheerleader. The clinic will provide a comprehensive look about what it means to be employed as a member of this elite program, on and off the field. Candidates are encouraged to participate to learn first-hand information and to meet the director.
At the Pre-Audition Clinic held at Ford Field, candidates will focus on technique, learn choreography (across the floor sequence and jazz combination), receive critiques, discuss the audition process and job expectations, and the session will end with a Q&A with the Director, alumni, and industry experts.
NOTE: attendance at the Pre-Audition Clinic and Master Classes is NOT required to be considered at the audition. The audition choreography is not taught in advance at either of these offered training opportunities. Attendance in the classes and at the clinic does not guarantee that candidates will make the team.
Email Registration
If you are interested in receiving communication via email when audition dates are announced, please register below:
