Photos: Camp for new Milwaukee Bucks dancers draws hopefuls for the fall

James B. Nelson | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

GLENDALE - More than 80 women who want to be Milwaukee Bucks Dancers worked hard to learn new choreography and make a strong first impression at a "pre-audition" camp Tuesday night.

The turnout at the Elite Sports Club-North Shore surprised the Bucks and was far more than that seen at similar camps in the past, said Johnny Watson, the team's director of live programming and entertainment.

Chris Kohley / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

It's an early indication that the revamped Bucks Dancer program is connecting with women who want to be a part of the squad of 18 to 20 performers. This fall, the Bucks begin their first season at their new $524 million home, Fiserv Forum.

The Bucks say the dancers will show less skin and perform routines that are entertaining to all fans, changes brought about by the "Me Too" movement and abuse allegations raised by NFL cheerleaders.

The camp, led by Latrice Gregory, a former NBA dancer with a lengthy dance résumé, attracted a variety of participants ranging from teenagers to women well into their 20s. Participants paid $15 to attend. Attendance wasn't required for auditions but it provided a three-hour preview of what's to come.

Skills varied. A number of women crisply executed just-learned steps and looked ready for prime time. Others struggled, and more than one tumbled to the gym floor.

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The women applauded each other at every opportunity, and Gregory gave every participant upbeat feedback.

Some of those at the camp have no formal training, while others have spent years in dance classes and are experienced performers, said Petra Pope, the consultant overseeing the revamped dance program.

Many have experience with hip-hop, but not with ballet or jazz dancing, which emphasize precise turns such as pirouettes, she said.

"Those turns are key" for performers working together in a large group, she said.

With more than three decades of experience in the NBA dance world, Pope on Tuesday spotted some dancers she loved as they cruised across the floor to Prince's hit "Kiss."

Others, she politely noted, have raw talent and enthusiasm.

"She's doing a great job at faking it," Pope said as one woman completed an across-the-floor routine. "She just needs to go to a class."

Pope and Gregory were featured in a 2016 reality show on E! Entertainment about the dance program for the Los Angeles Clippers. The series hyped the drama baked into the audition process.

The camp attracted about a half-dozen women who were part of the 2017-'18 Bucks dance squad. Among them was Taisa Carr, 23, of Racine, who gave a thumbs-up to the new approach.

"We're going to be more covered up and that's going to give me more of a chance to focus on my dancing," Carr said. "This also will give the fans an appreciation of what we do and how hard we work."

Chris Kohley / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Carr said she and others at the tryout had watched the E! series on the dancers and were aware of Pope's no-nonsense, professional approach.

"I'm excited about how tough they are so they can make us better."

The camp also attracted Rachel Oasan, 28, who's lived in Milwaukee for about a year and was turning heads with her effort and presence.

Oasan said she had danced professionally in Los Angeles and was excited to be preparing for an audition.

"I like what the Bucks are doing," Oasan said. "I'd love to be a part of that."