Riding a new wave of SUCCESS!
Dance Captain for Royal Caribbean
Interview by Chris Duncan
Meet Shannon Waiwiri, a professional dancer with extensive experience on Royal Caribbean Cruise ships as a feature dancer, dance captain, and aerialist. He has worked on multimillion-dollar shows and was recently offered a position as a rehearsal choreographer with Royal Caribbean International in Miami, Florida. Shannon’s training with Dianne Talbot and Debbie Landel on the Gold Coast was instrumental in shaping him into the dancer he is today. With over half of his life devoted to dance, Shannon’s new role is a testament to his talent and dedication to his craft. 
Chris Duncan recently caught up with Shannon to talk about his impressive experience in the performing arts in Australia, and the exciting opportunities the talented artist is being offered worldwide.
Shannon is a talented dancer who has been making waves in the world of dance for years. With half his life spent dancing professionally, Shannon has been performing on Royal Caribbean International ships since 2011, a feat that led him to become one of their featured dancers, dance captain, and eventually, a rehearsal choreographer.
Shannon grew up in the Gold Coast, born in New Zealand, and started dancing at the young age of seven. Like many male dancers, he was dragged into a dance studio by his sister and never looked back. He learned the basics of dancing at a studio called “Kids on the Block” but credits Dianne Talbot and Debbie Landel – both from the Gold Coast – for sculpting him into the dancer he is today.
Unfortunately, Dianne Talbot passed away last year, but her legacy and the legacy of Debbie Landel live on through Shannon.
Before his time with Royal Caribbean International, Shannon did extra work for movies and TV shows, including working at Movie World as a suit character slash dancer and SeaWorld. He also did a lot of amateur and semi-professional musical theatre on the Gold Coast at the Gold Coast Art Centre through his high school. He even danced for Tippi Hendron in a benefit at the casino.
However, Shannon’s most significant achievements came when he started working with Royal Caribbean International. His talent landed him a spot on the Quantum of the Seas, the Mariner of the Seas, and Freedom of the Sea, among others. He even got to work on a multimillion-dollar show called Star Water, Sequins & Feathers, which is one of the company’s branding shows.
It was always going to be Shannon’s hard work and dedication that would eventually pay off, as he was offered the chance to become one of Royal Caribbean International’s rehearsal choreographers in Miami.
“I’ve been dancing professionally probably half my life,” Shannon said.
“I started doing small gigs as a young fella, but now I can move up into teaching what I’ve been doing for 12 years.”
Shannon is now planning to move to Miami after receiving his 01 Visa to legally work from the US. This new opportunity takes with him the knowledge, experience, and skills that he has learned throughout his career. His story is an inspiration to many young dancers out there who dream of achieving their goals and becoming successful artists.
Shannon Waiwiri
Height: 5’9 Ethnicity: Caucasian
Work History
Royal Caribbean International
Immediate supervisor for casts ranging from 12 – 18 people. In charge of scheduling, show notes,
leading rehearsals, re-blocks, completing weekly reports and attending Senior Staff meetings.
Dancer in Production Shows. Two point harness, Human Puppets, Single point Peter Pan Harness
and Hand loop flying.
Rehearsal Choreographer: Virous ships and projects. April 2022 – on going
Quantum of the Seas: Dance Captain/Featured Aerialist/Dancer. April 2021 -Feb 2022
Mariner of the Seas: Dance Captain/Production Show Dancer July 2019-Mar 2020
Vision of the Seas: Production Show Dancer April 2019-June 2019
Quantum of the Seas: Dance Captain/Starwater/Featured Aerialist July 2018-Feb 2019
Freedom of the Seas: Dance Captain/Production Show Dancer/Aerialist Nov 2016-Sept 2017
Explorer of the Seas: Dance Captain/Production Show Dancer Dec 2015-Aug 2016
Jewel of the Seas: Dance Captain/Production Show Dancer Mar-Oct 2015
Radiance of the Seas: Dance Captain/Production Show Dancer May 2014-Feb 2015
Voyage of the Seas: Dance Captain/Production Show Dancer May 2013-Jan 2014
Legend of the Seas: Production Show Dancer Nov 2011-Aug 2012
Enchantment of the Seas: Production Show Dancer Mar-Sept 2011
Musical Theatre
Beauty & The Beast: Gaston 2007
Footloose: Garvin 2007
Joseph & the Amazing: Ensemble 2005
Education
Royal Academy of Dance
Grade 3 – Intermediate Distinction
Dance Tuition
Dianne Talbot 2004 – 2011
Debbie Landel 2001 – 2011
Vocal Tuition
Matthew Ward 2015
Patricia White 2006 – 2007
Skills
Dance Styles: Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Ballroom, Contemporary.
Aerial: Peter Pan Harness, Hand loop, Silk Training
