TopCats auditions are happening this month. Here’s what to expect if you try out

But I sat down with a woman that tried out years ago and made it to the final stage. Here’s what she had to say.

The women you’re trying out with grew up dancing.

Your competition will be fierce because once a dancer, always a dancer. It’s a part of you.

Some of them are in their 30s with children.

But the younger girls aren’t just waitresses or bartenders – they’re doctors, dentists, attorneys, etc. They have serious career ambitions and just happened to dance their entire lives.

And when you get a chance to continue a passion so deeply embedded, you take it.

Gearing up for the auditions becomes your life – and you’ll get feedback on everything.

It’s not uncommon to, once the goal of trying out is set, to spend up to two and a half hours every day in the gym for about six months. Getting fit enough and back into dancing shape becomes a part-time job.

That part-time job comes with constant feedback on your hair, your wardrobe and your fitness level just to name a few, but it’s crucial because there’s a certain image that a judge needs to see.

The camraderie will blow you away.

Everyone is there for the same reason and everyone is in the trenches together, and it becomes about helping those around you toward the bigger goal. Even the veterans will step up and give you pointers.

Audition clinics happen a week before tryouts and give you a sense of how things will be.

It gives you a chance to be in front of the director and coach and in the stadium. It’s also a nice icebreaker and lets you see how you size up against some of the other women there.

You bring in your own routine set to a pre-determined clip of music the first day of auditions.

Everybody comes in with their version of a routine to the same song that’s a 30-second clip released on the website beforehand. When it’s your turn, you’ll be in a small group of four or five in front of the judges – and all of you will be dancing a different routine to the same song.

You’ll most likely be up against 150 or so women during the first round.

But it’s for general public rather than veterans.

After everyone dances, you’ll be taken into a room with a choreographer who will teach you another dance.

It’s a quick dance, but you have to learn it in about 30 minutes that day and perform it. It’s a test to see how fast you can pick up the TopCats’ style of choreography.

Semi-finalists will be announced the first day. About 100 women will go home.

Hopefuls are brought back to the stadium a few times to learn another set of dances before trying out the second time.

This is when you begin competing with the veterans.

Instead of small groups, you’ll be trying out in pairs in the semifinal round.

You’ll also be hit with one question. It could be something general like, “What kind of animal would you be and why?” or something particular to the Panthers – “Why do you think you’d be a good representative of the Carolina Panthers?”

Make sure your answer is clear and concise, as you’re standing in front of everyone: the others trying out, the HR Director for the Panthers, the DJ, the choreographer, the mascot and TopCats Director and the panel of judges.

Names of those advancing to finals will be posted the next day online.

There will be around 35 women in this stage, including veterans.

The final stage is the most intense and time-consuming.

It lasts three weeks and you’re taught around three more dances, bringing your arsenal up to 5 or 6 dances that you have to know. Practices happen two or three times a week, and it’s common that everyone meets up outside of practices to work together.

But it’s also special – rather than being in the open area around the suites, you’re in the TopCats locker room.

This is how you learn about the day-to-day of being a Topcat.

Before finals night, expect to be interviewed.

It’s like a job interview (interview attire and all) and is conducted by the Director of HR, the Director of TopCats, the Choreographer of TopCats, and someone else that has a high position within the Panthers. The questions vary but most have to do with things like team work, what your ambitions are for your life and how you see yourself as a representative in the community. This helps weed out women that are doing it for the perks and the good times and is a big part of the score.

Finals night is when everyone goes all out.

Show up with your hair and makeup done, and when they press play on the music, you and your small group will pour your hearts into everything you’ve learned, from the first night to semi-final and final routines.

And when you’re not dancing, you’re silent and watching the others try out.

No, you won’t befriend the Panthers players.

If a TopCat interacts with a Panthers player, she’s immediately released from the team because the organization understands how easily it can be scandalized.

It’s a part-time job.

Once you make the team, it’s a job. There are bi-weekly practices, Saturday practices, and Sundays are taken by home games. Three to four days of your week are committed to the TopCats.

There are also rules you have to follow, such as the no-contact-with-Panthers rule and having your social media accounts scrutinized, because after you sign, you are a true representative of Charlotte and the Carolina Panthers.

You’ll find a sisterhood.

The women on the team are tight and stay genuine friends. When you’re trying to cheer and stay happy in the rain or snow, you have to be.

Connect with the TopCats

Audition Information<br/>Twitter

Feature image via Twitter @pantherstopcats