Do I have to be able to dance well to participate in Shirttails?
Of course not. Absolutely no dance experience or skill is needed to participate in Shirttails. Over the summer, your residence hall's team of two or three choreographers works hard to create a dance for students of all skill levels. At practices, your choreographers will help you along the way, and if any dance moves make you uncomfortable, they will be altered. Just let your choreographer or a representative of the Shirttails Serenade Committee know! We want to make sure that this experience is comfortable and enjoyable for you.
What will I wear?
Students wear a white Oxford button-down shirt and tennis shoes. Men wear boxers and women wear shorts. Men are required to wear a second pair of underwear under their boxers. Additionally, many residence halls add their own style with a certain color of tie or certain type of shorts.
What are "Teasers?"
In the middle of the rehearsal week, students are given a break from practice. Instead, men from Martin, Hardin, and Couch rotate around to the women's dorms, usually to sing a song or give a preview of their dance. Teasers are not mandatory, and they are done in the spirit of the history of Shirttails. At one point in time, Shirttails was primarily an event in which the men of Hendrix serenaded female students. Inspired by the past, many students have a lot of fun with Teasers.
Will practices conflict with my schoolwork?
Practices are only 2 hours a night during the school week. Most students find that Shirttails practice is a good break from school. Rarely is there ever an issue with Shirttails practice interfering with schoolwork. If there is an issue, your choreographers will be happy to work around your school work so you are caught up on the dances.
I play a sport, what if practice times conflict?
It is rare that a sport will have practice during the entire Shirttails rehearsal, especially during Welcome Week. If you play a sport, arriving late to Shirttails practice is also acceptable. Our goal is to provide you with as many opportunities as possible to participate in this great tradition.
How many hours is Shirttails practice a night?
We know you need to study, so we limit practices to allow you to balance your academic work and your social time. The Shirttails practice schedule for the entire week is as follows:
Who will my dorm be competing against?
Your dorm will be competing against other dorms of the same sex. For example: Martin, Hardin, and Couch Men all compete against one another. Veasey, Rainey, Galloway, and Couch Girls are in competition.
What happens after the competition?
After the winners are selected and the trophies are presented, the fun doesn't end. Our radio station, KHDX, presents a post-Shirttails concert. This year, KHDX scored with Chiddy Bang!
Can I quit Shirttails if I decide it’s not for me?
Absolutely. We will be sorry to see you go, but participation in Shirttails is purely voluntary. If at any point you decide it's not for you, that's okay. Just let someone with the Shirttails Serenade Committee know, and we'll make sure that we accommodate you.
Can my family and friends come to watch my performance on August 25th?
Everyone is welcome on Shirttails night! It is a night full of tradition and tons of fun. Why would we want anyone to miss this?
Questions still unanswered? Please e-mail our Shirttails Co-Chairs: Logan Rice (RiceLG@hendrix.edu) and Neelam Vyas (VyasNH@Hendrix.edu).