A lot is at stake here for six Cuban dancers, auditioning for The Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami.<br /> <br />They defected last month from the National Ballet of Cuba - one of the island country's proudest and most prestigious institutions.<br /> <br />Abandoning their group while touring Mexico, the dancers made their way to the U.S. border.<br /> <br />Cuban exiles are afforded special immigration privileges in the U.S. as well as financial benefits to help them get on their feet.<br /> <br />The Miami company will act as a support base, a platform to get the dancers started - if they make the cut.<br /> <br />Talking after an intense two-hour workout, the dancers said they left Cuba in search of better opportunities.<br /> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARIANNI MARTIN CABRALES, CUBAN BALLET DANCER WHO DEFECTED, SAYING:<br /> <br />"We are in the prime of our youth and we can do anything. This is a country where we can have opportunities and we are going to take them, so we can prosper and become what I want to become."
