The Group Chat: Dancing queens

Professional dance and cheer teams have snagged the spotlight as of late, driven by recent documentaries like “Cheer” and “America’s Sweethearts.” These pros aren’t just a sideshow at sporting events — they’re serious athletes, artists, and liaisons between the team and fans (including new ones).

• So today, we’re chatting with NBA dance team choreographer and coach Mariah Amber and Canadian Football League (CFL) cheerleader Meg S. about what it takes to make it in this competitive industry, plus how they think about their roles in sports culture. Time to boogie.

Being a member of a pro cheer or dance team is hard work. Amber and Sutton both spoke of marathon game days, arriving at the stadium hours before kickoff for rehearsals and fan meet-and-greets, then powering through pregame ceremonies, mid-game routines, and sideline performances. Sutton said, “I always get the comment that we never stop moving — and it’s true.”

• When it comes to the rehearsals, Sutton mentioned challenging (but empowering) three-hour practices, and Amber said they peak at “nine hours worth of dancing per week.” And this is on top of their other jobs, dance classes, and choreo reviews.

Aside from the time and energy commitment, dance and cheer are serious athletic pursuits. “Dancers are athletes, and the amount of recovery needed to ensure you’re keeping your body healthy is important,” said Amber, a former black belt in Taekwondo. “The intensity required to dance on the [biggest] stages is a very hard thing to accomplish.”

• Both Amber and Sutton cross-train for their roles, integrating strength training and conditioning into their routines and focusing on fitness and wellness like it’s their job…because it kind of is.

So what are dancers’ and cheerleaders’ roles in the broader sports ecosystem? Well, it goes way beyond entertainment during timeouts and halftime. “You are the bridge between the fans and the team,” Amber said.

• As highly visible women in sports, they prove that there’s a place for women in the stadium and help to create a more welcoming environment for new fans.

• Furthermore, Sutton noted that her team acts as the face of the franchise: “Sometimes spectators don’t realize…how significant the responsibility is when representing [the team].” Whenever the organization interfaces with the community, from game days to service projects, she’s there.

Dance and cheer teams make sports more inclusive, from drawing in “non-traditional” fans to putting women in the spotlight alongside the players on the court or the field. “I want to encourage young people, specifically BIPOC, queer, and marginalized groups, that we all belong and have a place in sports,” Amber said.

• Despite the long hours and intense grind, Sutton spoke with deep gratitude and passion about her teammates and her job. “The season is long, and the commitment is large,” she said, “but the experience is truly once in a lifetime.”