Seven Questions with Sheena Shive

Growing up Sheena Shive was a soccer player. A one year detour into cheerleading led her to discover she preferred the dance aspect of cheerleadering rather than cheer.

In high school she continued to play soccer and was certain she would continue in college. But when she could find, she would take hip hop classes at the local studio. In her senior year of high school, the studio asked her to start teaching hip hop classes. That’s when she started to decided she was looking forward to a future in dance, rather than playing soccer.

During Sheena’s freshmen year of college at Arizona State University, she danced for the ASU Hip Hop Coalition. The HHC would perform at various ASU events, basketball games, etc. She then decided to move back to Seattle to be closer to her family and transferred to Seattle University.

That spring Sheena auditioned for an adult hip hop group that performed at the WNBA Storm games. Susan Hovey, the Dance Director for the Storm and Sonics (and now director of the Golden State Warrior Girls), cut her. Susan told her that she would prefer to have Sheena come back and try out for the Sonics Dance Team.

Sheena had never been to a Sonics game before, but decided she wanted to try out. And Sheena was a bit nervous, because she had no formal training in jazz, only hip hop. But she made the squad the first year she auditioned, and danced for the Sonics her sophomore, junior and senior years of college.

The Sonics was a place where Sheena could dance, learn, and perform all in one. She also secretly hoped to one day work for the team, possibly with their PR team or in Events and Entertainment, or perhaps Gameday Operations. She ended up doing her Senior Project in college on the Sonics and graduated in the Spring of 2008 from SU with a degree in Mass Communications and Journalism.

While dancing for the Sonics, Sheena began assisting the Sonics/Storm Director Sabrina Ellison with the Storm Dance Troupe (a kids hip hop dance team). She would choreograph and help out at auditions, practices, events and games. When Sabrina left with the Sonics for Oklahoma, Sheena was offered the director’s position.

Last year the National Lacrosse League San Jose Stealth moved to Washington state. Sheena received an email from the Audrea Harris, Director of the NBA Clippers Spirit Squad and former Sonics Dance Team Coach. She was trying to help her friend and former Stealth Bombshells Director, Teri Schafer, recruit for a new director for the Stealth’s Dance Team. Audrea had heard Sheena had danced in the NBA and was the current director for the Storm Dance Troupe. An e-mailed resume led to an interview, and eventually Sheena became the Bombshells’ new Director.

When she’s not directing the Stealth Bombshells or the Storm Troupe, Sheena works  for an internet advertising agency with demanding travel requirements.

1. What’s your fondest memory from the Sonics?

I have so many memories dancing for the Sonics. I think the one that sticks out the most for me is stepping onto the court for the first time on opening night, where the lights were out, and we were waiting for our music to turn on for intros and perform for the first time! To stare into a crowd of 17,000 people, was amazing. I think it hit me that night that I was dancing in the NBA. My other favorite memory is the girls I have met. A couple of the girls I have met from the Sonics are my best friends, without that experience I would be missing some amazing people in my life.

Sheena danced for the Seattle Sonics three seasons and has directed the Storm Troupe for 2 years and was the Assistant Director the prior 2 years. She is directing the Stealth Bombshells in their inaugural season.

2. How much do you miss dancing for the Sonics?

Oh man, you have no idea. I don’t really think you realize how much you loved something until its gone. Or how lucky you are to of had that opportunity. I miss practicing 3 times a week, I miss getting to the arena early to eat dinner with the girls, I miss getting ready in the locker room and singing along to our favorite pre-game music and most of all performing. I also miss interacting with our fans, the good people who worked within the organization and entertaining the crowds at Key Arena. I could go on forever….

3. What’s it like working with young dancers?

I love it! My kids teach me something new everyday. I have never met so many young, motivated and talented dancers. Most of my kids are studio trained, and dance the same or better as your average 18 year old.  I have been working with some of them for over 4 years, I just wrote one of them a letter of recommendation to a prestigious dance college program, to have the opportunity to teach these kids not only dance, but to help them mature into young adults has been an amazing experience.

4. What’s the toughest part of your job with the Stealth?

I don’t know if there is necessarily a tough part about my job with the Stealth. The owner and staff of the Stealth have been so amazing to work for. But if I had to choose I think the toughest part was marketing the new dance team for auditions. Its tough for talented dancers to take a chance on a new team. There were only 2 professional teams to dance for in the Seattle area, the Sonics and the Seahawks, so I had to make sure the Stealth would be put on that same level of professionalism. But fortunately for me, coming from the Sonics I was able to recruit many of the girls who were former Sonic’s dancers. Eventually after the word did get out, I had some great talent show at auditions. I have 2 former Sea Gals, 1 former Spokane Shock Dancer and 8 former Sonics Dancers! We have a pretty talented team.

5. What was it like putting together a team from scratch?

It was so much fun! I have developed some great relationships through out the industry and was able to get a lot of them involved with the new team. I was able to develop a hair sponsor, gym/practice facility sponsor in a fairly quick amount of time. Dancing for the Sonics and coaching the Storm, I finally had the chance to take all the things I have learned, experienced and wanted and put them all into building this team. I think designing the uniforms was my favorite! My captain, Jillian, and I also flew down to the NBA Warriors Dance Clinic, to learn some fresh new choreography from our old director Susan Hovey and some choreographers we used to work with for the Sonics. I have learned from some amazing women, who have taught me how to become a great coach.

Washington Stealth Bombshells Auditions

6. Your career requires you to travel. How does that affect your job as Director?

It’s been hard on me in the sense, that I am not able to be at the games to see all the hard work we have put into the team, as well as all the hard work my dancers have put into their performances. Luckily for me, one of my dearest friend dances for the Stealth. She and I made Sonics together as rookies and continued 3 seasons together. She has taken on the assistant director role for me on the Stealth. She is an amazing leader and talented dancer and choreographer. She has been great working with me and helping with practice and games.

Jillian and Sheena

7. What’s one thing you’d like fans to know about your squad?

That they are an extremely talented group of women and I am so thankful they took a chance with the Stealth Organization. They work so hard and everyone of them is special and unique. Not only are they talented dancers, but many are working professionals, college students and MBA students. I definitely think the Washington Stealth Bombshells are making a lasting impression in the NLL and professional dance community.

Bonus. Do you hope the NBA puts another team in Seattle?

I do hope the NBA puts another team in Seattle, but then I would face the challenge of deciding if I would want to dance for the team or go out for the director position. But I can tell you there is a very talented group of women just waiting for this to happen.

[Washington Stealth Bombshells]

[Seattle Storm Dance Troupe]