So You Think You Can Dance, broadcast by Fox, recently celebrated the close of its fifth season on August 6th, 2009. This reality dance series fuses together intelligent and creative choreographers with talented dancers and a wide variety of dance styles. This show, which was developed by American Idol's Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe, includes the dance genres of hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, bollywood, ballroom, and many more challenging styles.
History of So You Think You Can Dance
July 20th, 2005 was when this unique series first premiered. It has the same premise as Idol, where national auditions lead to the announcement of "America's favorite dancer." Lauren Sanchez, American news personality, hosted Season 1 of the series, followed by Britain native, Cat Deeley, who still remains the shows hostess. In 2006, So You Think You Can Dance was rated the #1 show of the summer.
It was announced, also in 2006, that the series would expand globally, where the nations of Turkey, New Zealand, Ukraine, Israel, Poland, Germany, Canada, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Malaysia, Australia and South Africa would start producing their own versions of this highly acclaimed series. With over 100 episodes produced and 6.5 million viewers, So You Think You Can Dance has won five Emmy Awards for Outstanding Choreography. Past winners include: Nick Lazzarini (Season One), Benji Schwimmer (Season Two), Sabra Johnson (Season Three), Joshua Allen (Season Four), and Jeanine Mason (Season Five).
Auditions
Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, one guest judge, and hostess Cat Deeley hold auditions every season in major cities in the United States, including but not limited to Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, New York City, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. Thousands of dancers participate in this process and are asked to perform a solo piece in their desired and most experienced style. Everyone who is legally allowed to work in the United States and is between the ages of 18 and 30 is invited to audition, from street dancers to those already working in a professional environment. Those who are great recieve a ticket to callbacks in Las Vegas, while those who need to prove themselves a little more get challenged by a choreography round at the end of the audition day. Only a couple hundred out of the thousands are invited to Las Vegas for callbacks.
Las Vegas Callbacks
Once all the major city auditions are complete, So You Think You Can Dance heads to Las Vegas for their intense round of callbacks. Dancers are quickly cut during this process. They are asked to learn numerous pieces of challenging choreography from some of the shows highly esteemed and professional choreographers, including Mia Michaels and Lil C. Together the choreographers/judges decide who should stay and who does not have what it takes. Once all the choreography has been taught and performed the Top 20 dancers for the season are revealed.
Show Format
The Top 20 dancers begin the competition by being paired up with a partner. Styles of dance for that week are then chosen at random for the couples to perform. These styles include: hip hop, jazz, contemporary, salsa, waltz, disco, bollywood, krump, and more. They are given one week, after working with one of the show's choreographers, to prepare for their performance in front of a live audience. Possible choreographers include: Mia Michaels, Tyce Diorio, Tabitha and Napoleon, Lil C, Wade Robson, Jean Marc Genereaux, Mandy Moore, Dave Scott, Doriana Sanchez, Dan Karaty, Tony and Melanie, Sonya Tayeh, Louis Van Amstel, Alex Da Silva, Travis Wall, and Shane Sparks.
Once the performance episode is complete, the public has the opportunity to call and vote for their favorites. The bottom three boys and girls are revealed the following night. These contestants then "dance for their lives" and the judges decide which guy and which girl will be going home. This format continues for nine grueling weeks until the public chooses a winner on the final episode. The Top 10 tour the United States following the close of the season, performing the most memorable pieces. The winner receives $250,000, numerous performing opportunities, and the title of "America's favorite dancer!"
Coming Soon!
Season Six of So You Think You Can Dance is currently underway, finishing up the audition process and heading to Las Vegas. There is sure to be more surprising and inspiring dancers and choreography in the weeks to come!
Reference
Fox Broadcasting Company at www.fox.com/dance.
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