Dance Review: So You Think You Can Dance Live - Page 2

While on the show, the dancers all had to claim a specific style of dance, but all were quick to point out that a dancer must be versed in several styles to be successful. Chelsea told me, “The thing about dancers is we don't discriminate [against] any kind of dance. I'm just as intrigued watching hip-hop as I am ballet or contemporary. I feel like we're so different, as different as a fingerprint. [Dance] is an expression of yourself. I'm 23, and ten years ago there was no dancing on TV. To turn on the TV and see crews, contemporary dancers - it's just insane."

Jessica pointed out that there was added pressure to go beyond expectations when performing in your declared style. "When we all got ballroom or something, it was like 'OK, we're not ballroom dancers,' but we understand we still had to [do it]. But when we got contemporary - and you call yourself contemporary - but you don't step up to the plate...there's a lot of pressure on you." Joshua agreed, adding, "I think the same thing with hip-hop too, there are so many different styles of hip-hop: lyrical hip-hop, krump, and others. Whatever we do, our main thing is: if we didn't hit it right - perfectly almost - we got creamed. Because that's what you're supposed to be good at."

I wanted to know how they approached styles that weren't as familiar to them. "With an open mind!" Jessica laughed. Chelsea added that the viewer's perception was: “Katee can do anything." Even so, there were times Katee was unsure. "Oh, I would cry even," Katee said, and then pointed out that disco was a hard style for her. From week to week the dancers did not have control over costumes, choreography, partners, or music. As Katee made clear, they "only had control of themselves on the stage."

One common goal among all the contestants was moving to New York or Los Angeles to pursue a career in dance. They all agreed that while other cities had some opportunities, they were limited in what they could achieve. Mark, who was inspired to take up dance after seeing a stage production of The Phantom of the Opera as a youngster, said the only opportunities in Hawaii were to either continue teaching or do community theater. Chelsea, who spent a year dancing for the Dallas Mavericks, felt she had done just about everything there was to do in Dallas. Even though moving to a bigger city would be intimidating, she was willing to take her chances as "the small fish in the big pond."

Article Author: Sherry Lipp

Sherry writes mostly music and DVD reviews, and on occasion she gets to do an interview. She plays the guitar, loves to read, watch movies, and write. Sherry also is a gluten free food blogger, and enjoys coming up with grain and sugar free recipes.

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