Take 16: The Truth About Being a 76ers Dancer (ft. Sara June)

Mia and Sara didn’t grow up with industry parents or perfect plans — they were Philly studio kids who loved hip hop, went to Sixers games, and suddenly found themselves on center court as NBA dancers balancing college, barista shifts, and a “dream job” that didn’t always feel like a dream.In this episode of Call Sheet Confessions, Sara and I unpack the real story behind making (and leaving) an NBA dance team: auditioning last-minute vs. prepping for months, getting judged on tricks like kip-ups and headsprings, learning to perform for a 360° arena, and navigating the gray-area politics of corporate sports entertainment.We get into:How we actually made the Philadelphia 76ers dance team: materials, interviews, athletic combos, and freestyle strategy (including what NOT to do)What NBA teams really look for: individuality, brand alignment, and why your IG stalking (outfits, hair, makeup, team “vibe”) matters more than you thinkThe reality of the job: 3-hour rehearsals, 7pm games that run till 10:30, promos every quarter, t-shirt tosses, Chick-fil-A timeouts, and being “on” for 20,000 peopleThe truth about pay: why almost everyone needs a second job, how “dream job” can still mean part-time wages, and what that looks like in real lifeTeam culture & mental health: being the younger rookies, feeling excluded in the locker room, mixed signals from leadership, and learning to keep your identity in a corporate systemFreestyle vs. “freestyle”: how some circles were secretly choreographed, why Sara’s real freestyle was constantly policed, and what that says about authenticity in pro teamsThe gray area with players: weird unspoken rules, Mia’s talk-show “scandal” about Tyrese Maxey, and how tightly the organization tried to control our personalities and platformsAppearances & community work: school events, watch parties, Junior 76ers, and the full-circle moments of being the dancers we used to look up to as kidsKnowing when to walk away: realizing the job didn’t fully align with our values, finishing out the season anyway, and choosing long-term dreams over short-term statusIf you’re curious what it actually looks like to make an NBA dance team — the auditions, the politics, the low pay, the pressure, and the parts that still make it worth it — this episode breaks it down.🔔 Subscribe for more raw conversations about pro dance teams, the LA dance industry, and building a creative career without losing who you are in the process.