Behind the Scenes: Rehearsal with the NY Jets Flight Crew
In the six-plus years since I’ve started this site, I’ve been privileged to be cover cheerleaders and dancers on fields and courts, at auditions and boot camps, and even during the making of a swimsuit calendar. But I never had a chance to attend an actual professional rehearsal…
Until last week, when Denise Garvey, Director of the New York Jets Flight Crew, and her squad graciously allowed me to attend their Wednesday night rehearsal at the Atlantic Health Jets Practice Facility in Florham Park, NJ.
Denise Garvey: Jets Flight Crew Director, Former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, Nets Dancer, Knicks City Dancer, and new mom!
The rehearsal was on the same field that the players practice on. It’s massive with enough space to attempt field goals under game conditions. Unfortunately, heating a “room” this size is not really an option…
So it was really cold! That’s why the Flight Crew are decked out in their adorable Reebok jackets and long pants. And in some case gloves!
This is Lauren Z.’s second year with the Flight Crew. She lives in Connecticut, so her commute to Florham Park clocks in at about an hour and forty-five minutes. When she’s not cheering she’s a dance and gym instructor working with kids from two years of age all the way up to high school.
Ryann with a candy cane. The performance the squad is working on is a nine(!) minute holiday half-time show for the last game of the season (this past Sunday). With so many formation changes to keep track of…
The Cheerleaders have pinned a note to themselves reminding them where they need to be. Here are 2011 Pro Bowl Cheerleader Mandisa (left, wearing the note) and Christie.
This is Krista’s first-year on the squad. She earned her Bachelor’s from St. John’s where she studied Speech Pathology and now she’s working on her masters. She grew up on Staten Island where she was captain of her high school cheerleading team.
Third-year veteran Lauren P. is quite busy. She’s a retail store manager, a cake decorator, a nanny and teaches dance on the side.
It was a real thrill to see how a big performance gets put together. And I want to give a big “Thanks!” to Denise and her squad for giving me the chance to watch and share these photos.
