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 "Serenades?"
In the middle of the rehearsal week, students are given a break from
practice. Instead, students from Martin, Hardin, and Couch rotate around to
the students of Creative Quad, Raney, Galloway, and Veasey and serenade them.
The reverse also occurs. Serenades are not mandatory, and they are done to
celebrate an earlier time in Hendrix history when Shirttails was an event for
the male students to serenade their female peers. This year, all students will
get to serenade each other, in hopes fallowing freshman to interact with those
from other halls.Inspired by the past, many students have a lot of fun with
Serenades.
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 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?
Athletic practices take priority over Shirttails practices, but 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 acceptable. If you miss a practice entirely, find a
roommate or neighbor to catch you up on the moves. Our goal is to provide you
with as many opportunities as possible to participate in this great tradition.
Who will my dorm be competing against?
Your dorm will be competing against all the other dorms for one title.
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.
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.
Questions still unanswered? Please e-mail our Shirttails Co-Chairs: Emilie
Cassar (CassarEJ@Hendrix.edu) and
Monique Williams (WilliamsMM@Hendrix.edu).