The Louisiana State University (LSU) Tiger Girls dance team has once again solidified their place in the university’s history books by securing their fourth national title in hip hop at the UDA National Dance Competition in Orlando, Florida. This victory at the 2024 competition marks another milestone for the acclaimed dance program.
Dressed in striking white satin suits, complete with sparkly ties and fedoras, the Tiger Girls delivered a performance reminiscent of a Michael Jackson music video. Their routine, set to “Smooth Criminal,” paid a vibrant homage to the King of Pop, captivating the audience and judges alike.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/smoothcriminal-a6c80c7b8ef14cb9a95fb244f6042f66.jpg)
The concept of a Michael Jackson-inspired routine was brought to life by choreographers Carsen Lowe and Sammy McFadden. Head coach Kandace Hale embraced the idea enthusiastically. “It’s a classic,” Hale explained to Southern Living, emphasizing the timeless appeal and originality of the concept. “And no one has done it.” Adding to the perfect fit, Hale revealed the team’s deep admiration for Michael Jackson, whose music frequently energizes their practices and pre-competition moments.
Selecting “Smooth Criminal” was also a strategic decision to push the team’s boundaries and foster growth. Building on their previous year’s hip hop win, performed in high heels to Beyonce, the 2024 routine saw the Tiger Girls in Nike sneakers, incorporating the hip hop style of locking. This technique, characterized by sharp freezes and sudden bursts of movement, was a new challenge for the team. Coach Hale highlighted the educational aspect, noting that choreographers Nathan Cherry and Geovanna Bortoleto introduced the dancers to a fresh hip hop style, expanding their dance vocabulary significantly.
Further showcasing their versatility and talent, the LSU Tiger Girls achieved another landmark at the competition, earning their first-ever medal in the jazz category. For this performance, the team donned elegant purple velvet costumes, presenting a routine to Aaliyah’s “Are you that somebody?” that emphasized impeccable technique and demonstrated their wide-ranging dance capabilities.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/IMG_8637-19f1663d8bb74902b9fc10e46bd6a2e5.jpg)
According to Hale, the team’s performances were met with enthusiastic crowd responses each time they took the stage. Despite the positive energy, Hale admitted to pre-award ceremony jitters. However, her concerns were unfounded as LSU not only defended their hip hop title but also claimed third place in jazz, exceeding their goals for the event.
Reflecting on the team’s success, Hale shared their guiding philosophy for the year: “Our theme this year was being ‘undeniably us.’ In today’s world, it’s like everybody wants to be everybody else,” Hale stated. “We wanted to try to do what we do best.” This focus on authenticity and embracing their unique strengths clearly resonated, culminating in a double victory for the LSU Dance Team in 2024.
