Behind the Scenes at Sacramento Kings Dance Auditions

Today I auditioned for the Sacramento Kings Dance Team (SKD) after a long hiatus as a professional dancer. Unfortunately, it did not go as well as I had hoped (meaning I did not make the cut). However, I’m still proud of myself for auditioning in the first place. I can’t say this for certain, but I’m probably the first cancer patient to audition for a NBA dance team. In my own ways, I’m still pushing boundaries. Let’s consider some perspective and positive outcomes that occurred regardless.

Perspective

Before the last few weeks, it has been several years since I seriously trained as a dancer. In those years, I’ve been through *a lot* of cancer treatment including surgeries, multiple chemo medications (including the one I’m still on), and radiation. These have obvious physical implications I’ve had to recover from, but also less obvious side affects like short-term memory issues which makes learning and retaining choreography extra challenging for me. As if this wasn’t enough working against me, I’m fairly old for a NBA dancer at my ripe ‘ol 32. Most who make SKD are in their early to mid 20’s and some of the other candidates are over a decade younger than me. But you know what: as I looked around the room I felt good. I’ve worked hard for my physical fitness and I was appropriately in-shape, dressed, and ready to dance. All considered, I’m willing to call putting myself out there and looking like a contender a win!

The audition process for every professional dance team is a bit different and changes year to year, as well. This year for SKD there were three parts; technique, choreography, and interview, in that order. Unfortunately, these are in the reverse order of my strengths. I’m well-spoken with a story to tell and can kill an interview, but technique has never been my strong-suit as a dancer. Having rhythm and good showmanship with decent technique has been my winning combo. With approximately 100 other amazing dancers in the room, I was not too offended I did not make the cut. I look forward to seeing the wonderful team they select on the court this year at Kings games!

Positive Outcomes

You didn’t make the team Brandi! What positive outcomes are you talking about? Well, let me tell you. The audition process kicked me into gear to get back to studio dance classes, reconnect to ladies I danced with on former teams, and even make a couple new friends at the dance clinic/audition. While not yet up to par for SKD, I have made improvements in my flexibility and technique that I plan to continue to build on. Only good things came of my participation in the audition.

“I’d rather attempt to do something great and fail than attempt to do nothing and succeed.”

Overall, I try to live my life to the fullest of my ability. For today, I have no regrets.