The Crimson Dance Team holds auditions for the upcoming year during the first weekend of Freshmen Week each fall. All returning team members, with the exception of the captains, audition along with the prospective new members.
Auditions take place over a span of three days on a callback basis.
After each day, a certain number of dancers are selected to return for the next round of tryouts and are notified through a list posted at the audition location. The first day of auditions involves performing basic technical skills and learning a brief combination that incorporates funk and pom styles. All dancers are taught the combination together and then asked to perform it in groups. On the second day of auditions, dancers are called back to dance in smaller groups, usually in pairs. While the combination from the previous day will be performed again, the main focus of this audition is technique.