NY Liberty - Director of Dance Entertainment


		Little Torches
		The Torch Patrol
		Liberty Torch Patrol

When the whistle blows and there's a time-out at a Liberty or Knicks game, the music plays and the dancers hit the court with some first-rate moves. Someone is in charge of assembling the dance troupe and working with choreographers to get all of those moves down just right. That is part of the job of the Director of Entertainment Marketing, who also helps decide on costumes for the dancers and sets up rehearsals.

Petra Pope handles the Director of Entertainment Marketing for the Liberty and the Knicks. She works with the dancers for each team, deciding what music and routines they are going to do and what they will wear. "The dancers rehearse twice a week for six hours" explains Pope. "I make sure everyone performs to the best of their ability. It is important that everyone is full of energy and gives the audience their best."

Pope often gathers with the dancers in a restaurant after the game to discuss the game and the performances. This serves as a great opportunity for bonding and enhances the team atmosphere of the dance troupe.

After graduating from junior college as a Marketing major, Pope, who always enjoyed putting together shows and coming up with creative ideas, joined the Lakers. After six years, she heard that the Knicks were looking to form a dance team so she came to New York to take the job. She helped establish the Knicks City Dancers and has worked with them ever since. She also works hard setting up charitable appearances for the dancers, who enjoy delighting audience members who may not be able to get to the Garden to see a game.

To work in this type of creative, entertainment position, Pope says it helps to have the ability to adjust to change. "Flexibility and knowledge of dance and what's hot and what's not in music and fashion are important. Always find new and better ways to put on a show." If you've ever seen the dancers at Madison Square Garden, you'll know that they work very hard, are in marvelous physical shape and do new and exciting routines nearly every night.