What was the experience like dancing in the playoffs? BethAnn: I dance for the Phoenix Mercury as well so I practice every day Monday through Thursday. I get pretty exhausted after the games. This was my first year in the playoffs and it was different from the regular season. You switch into playoff mode and do two to three dances a game and the fans are so much more excited. The energy is definitely different and we prepare a lot more.
What do you do on off-days? BethAnn: I've been a Suns fan since I was like three so I've followed them throughout my life and I watch them when they're away.
Who have been some of your favorite all-time Suns? BethAnn: I loved Raja Bell. The Charles Barkley and Dan Majerle years were when I decided I wanted to be a part of the Suns organization as a dancer. My favorites are the players from that era.
What was your reaction when you were able to fulfill that dream? BethAnn: I tried out last year not knowing anything or anybody and I made the Sunsationals, which are the 200-level dance team in the arena. When the opportunity came this year to tryout I was a little more prepared. We had a three to four day audition this year learning three different routines and then we had a boot camp. It was probably the most intense week of my life. It was an unreal feeling when I made the team. They had a "Making the Suns Dancers" video prepared, and after that you had to go online to see if you made it, and they had taped everyone getting out of a limo and there were 16 members for the team and I was the 15th. I accomplished something I wanted to do since I was five. It was an experience I'll never forget.
What has been your most memorable moment as a dancer? BethAnn: You're with the girls so much that you make memories when you're with them all the time, and then there are game memories when you meet different fans. There's a woman who comes to every game and she asked us to sign this card because her son is in the military and in Iraq. So we signed a card and our calendar and we took pictures, and we received a letter from him thanking us for everything. It was insane because he said how the cards and letters keep him going and reminds him of home. It was a real goosebump moment.
What advice would you give for a young dancer who has aspirations to be in your position? BethAnn: I would tell them to never give up or doubt themselves. There are so many amazing dancers and it's easy to get intimidated and to give up. But it's not impossible and it's so exciting and worth it when you make it. I never took any kind of studio dance or technical training and most people didn't think I could make it, but you can't give up because somebody else says you can't.
Do you think there are too many days off during the playoffs? BethAnn: At first I did, but now that I have experienced a playoff schedule I think it's good the way it is now. I can't imagine being a player and playing back-to-back games. It gives the players and other people a chance to breatheÑlike the dancers. [laughs] But there are also so many people behind the scenes that make the NBA experience one you can't forget. By splitting the games up it gives the players a chance to view tape and make adjustments for the next game.
Dance Life
