SYTYCD SEASON 6 EPISODE 4
The next stop for So You Think You Can Dance auditions was Atlanta, Georgia. Would the dancing be sizzling in Hotlanta? Joining Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy in the south was master krumper and vocabulary aficionado, Lil C.
The first dancer to take the stage in Atlanta was Billy Bell. This young man started dancing only 5 years ago, after being inspired by a hip hop show. Billy instantly enrolled in hip hop classes, but was awful at that style of dance. Determined to become a dancer at 14 years old, Billy enrolled in ballet, tap, and several other styles of dance. The classes, paired with Billy’s persistence, seemed to have paid off. Nigel thought Billy had great legs and technique, except that he needs to watch his arched back and hands during pirouettes. The judges decided that it’s a “no for choreography [a pause long enough to worry Billy], you’re going straight to Vegas!” And with that, Atlanta auditions were off to a positive start.
Amber Jackson is an 18 year old with a petite, yet muscular, body that supports her strong arabesques. Nigel said her technique is tremendous, but she doesn’t have a good performance quality – she stared out into space instead of connecting with the audience. Lil C said it’s a shame she can dance so well yet manage to bore the audience with her performance. Since her gorgeous technique can’t be denied, Amber is going to choreography, where she will have a second chance to show her personality.
There was a trend of a lack of performance from the dancers that followed Amber. As Nigel said in a recent press call, he’s looking for personality and technique.
Travis Dennison was the microphone man for the Georgia Bulldogs, so he probably has a lot of spirit and personality. He auditioned for The Wade Robson Project and planned on showing what Wade taught him during his SYTYCD audition. Travis is 30 yeas old, so this is his last chance to make the show before he’s too old. He performed a quick hip hop routine and reminded me of what it would look like if Adam Shankman performed hip hop. When Travis went over to the judges after his performance, Nigel asked Travis if he’s related to Adam Shankman. Haha! Nigel called the routine “social fun” and Mary and Lil C were entertained, but it’s not good enough for him to advance in the competition.
Jamal Jackson impressed the judges with his lyrical routine that had elements of African dance. He did a great job showing off his strength. Victor Smalley’s contemporary routine wowed the judges, and Mary described his dance as “explosive, dynamic, and controlled.” Victor and Jamal each got a plane ticket to Vegas.
The last people to audition on day one in Atlanta are Anthony and Antwain Hart. These twins auditioned for Season 4 of SYTYCD. At that audition, Antwain was better than Anthony, who was originally dismissed. However, Antwain stood up for Anthony and the two ultimately made it to Vegas. The twins traded in their dress shirts and sweater vests of 2008 for t-shirts and dressy vests in 2009. Since the brothers shined when they auditioned together for Season 4 more than when they auditioned separately, the brothers auditioned together for Season 6 with a hip hop routine that included some pop locking. Nigel said that Antwain threw in stuff he’s never seen before. Nigel, Mary, and Lil C saw improvement in the Hart brothers and also said they’re likable. The judges agreed that choreography would be a good way to find out what else the Hart brothers can bring to the table.
After an hour of choreography with Season 3’s Anya and Pasha, the Season 6 hopefuls performed for the judges. Amber showed more personality, so she is going to Vegas. Anthony is headed to Vegas, but surprisingly, Antwain is not. In total, 14 people from day one in Atlanta are going to roll the dice in Vegas.
On day two of Atlanta auditions we met Matthew “Boogie Links” Pollard. He spent his time waiting for his turn to audition by sweet talking the ladies and flirting with Cat. Boogie Links is a pop locker who does some crazy contortionist moves that are sure to send chills up your spine and make you wince. Nigel said he knows Boogie Links has great rhythm and musicality, but can he dance? And can he dance with a partner? Lil C and Mary were entertained and want to see him in choreography, which is where Boogie is headed.
Jessica Jensen is a sweet 25 year old who has recently overcome a really rare form of cancer in the palm of her hand. She had five surgeries in six weeks, and during the last surgery the choice was “keep your hand and die, or lose your hand and live.” She’s very upbeat and so happy to be alive. During her contemporary routine, Jessica had a great performance quality and ability to connect. It will be interesting to see if she can pull off partner work and genres such as Bollywood with only one hand, but she didn’t seem to be hindered during her solo. When she spoke with the judges, Jessica mentioned that she was back in the studio two weeks after losing her hand. Nigel said she did a great job positioning her arm in ways that seemed really well thought out. Lil C told Jessica, “You represent passion, strength, and acceptance…I couldn’t ask for anything more for a dancer.” The judges sent Jessica to choreography, and Jessica said she’s done partner work post amputation.
Jonathan Bryant admitted that he has a big personality. He promised us a “dope solo.” His solo seemed like a cross between contemporary and hip hop. Lil C told Jonathan, “You have a lot of emotion, but you need to learn to control it.” Mary noticed his talent and energy, but thought that Jonathan wasn’t funneling it in the right way. Nigel commented on his cocky smile, and Jonathan broke down because he did not intend to be rude. Jonathan is going home.
Jonathan’s dismissal segued into clips of several other dancers that left Atlanta defeated.
Thomas Hamilton opened up to the cameras and said that he was a crack baby and was put in special education classes. Luckily, Thomas was adopted by his aunt, who he now calls “Mom,” because his birth mother was a drug addict. Thomas said that he just needs a radio and he can dance, which has been his way to escape and express himself during his tough life. His goal is to get out of his hometown because it’s not safe. Thomas took the stage and danced with a lot of emotion. Nigel read in Thomas’s paperwork that he hated contemporary dancing until he took a dance class with Mia Michaels, which inspired him to pursue contemporary dance. Nigel said that Thomas has to be careful with “praise dancing,” but saw enough from him to know he’s good. Mary called him talented and gifted. Lil C said that Mia can have that effect on people. The judges wanted to see what else Thomas has in him, so they sent him to choreography.
After learning choreography with Anya and Pasha, Boogie Links didn’t pull off a strong enough performance, so he’s going home. He said his “salsa was more like guacamole.” Jessica was another dancer who was not strong enough during the choreography round. She reflected on this experience as being a very cool one. Thomas’ dancing had moments where he had it together and moments where he didn’t, but it was enough to send him to Vegas along with seven other dancers.
WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS OF EPISODE 4:
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