FAQ, Expectations, and Assertions

Demo Team Captains:
Sam Sy, Mac Mack

What is Demo Team?
Demonstration Team is the performative branch of the Illini World Taekwondo instruction apparatus and represents IWT at university- and community-wide events. The team emphasizes opportunities to show off Taekwondo techniques through performance of recognized and freestyle poomsae, aerial acrobatics, choreographed sparring, dances, and breaking. Demo meets on Thursdays and Sundays after main practice.

What is the tone of this Team?
Demo Team consists of twice-a-week rehearsals leading up to the various performances that IWT is invited to throughout the year. Due to the lead time and frequency of performances, captains hold members to a high standard of discipline, dedication, and understanding of performance norms.

Who can join? How do they join?
The Special Teams are structured with the assumption that members already have a grasp of intermediate taekwondo techniques, procedures, and customs. The Demo Team tryouts are open to anyone with some degree of musicality/tempo and a strong determination and enthusiasm to learn, although captains expect prior knowledge of any rank-required poomsae.

Tryouts occur twice a year, once per semester, and are conducted under a two-part system. First, a sign-up/interest form is released. All who signed up will audition on Day 1 of tryouts. Captains will then make cuts and contact those who passed to audition again on Day 2 (callbacks, which has an additional form). FYI: Fall auditions will be much more strict than spring auditions, due to some early-semester performances. Once these performances are over, fall practices will open up to any interested IWT member, regardless of audition outcome. FA23 Demo Tryouts will occur on September 5th (Day 1) and 7th (Day 2).

Discipline – members realize that Demo Team practice times are times that members must dedicate to practice, be attentive, and commit to focusing on their instructions.
Practice etiquette is imperative. Repeated violations of this expectation will result in dismissal from the team.
Semester-long commitment. Members of demo teams should expect to be a part of the team for the whole semester.
Attendance is mandatory! 2 practices can be excused if a captain is contacted.
3+ unexcused absences will result in dismissal from the team (injured or sick does not count as unexcused)
Practices leading up to a performance (2 weeks out) cannot be missed unless specific circumstances are communicated week(s) in advance
Missing a lead-up practice without notice will result in dismissal from the team
Review choreo, reviewing choreography from previous practice in your own time, such that past material does not have to be retaught during practice.
Decorum – whenever possible, at least TKD-specific pants and belt (and some form of shirt!) must be worn at practice. Club merchandise is also acceptable. 
Deviation from club standard at demos is inexcusable.
Safety – Demonstration, as a highly involved, intense activity, can be dangerous. All team members are expected to know their boundaries, and act accordingly.

Assertions

All members of the Demo Team are required to be a member of Illini World Taekwondo. This includes paying dues, filling out the club sports injury waiver, and any other IWT sub-waivers.
Illini World Taekwondo is an organization open to all levels of taekwondo experience. However, the Demo Team, as a subset of the IWT instructional apparatus, focuses on higher-order specialization.
 As performances can be physically intensive, injuries are prone to happen- members should be mentally and physically prepared for such occurrences. Demo Team Captains will do their best to prevent injuries by letting members know of the possible dangers associated with certain techniques, but it is up to the performer to ultimately decide whether they feel safe doing it. The club will not be held liable for personal injuries.