Episode 1 Taking the Next Step

This is Taking The Next Step,

the show where talented young dancers

compete for an amazing prize -

to guest role on the hit TV dance show The Next Step.

1,300 dancers applied to take part...

I'm going to do my audition for Taking The Next Step.

..and we've travelled the length and breadth of Britain

on a quest to find the best.

Today, we're in Cardiff.

Glasgow. London. Manchester, are you ready?

-ALL:

-Yeah!

-Nervous.

-I've been practising and practising like crazy.

-If I was in The Next Step...

-It would be a dream come true.

Show us what you got.

From ballet to bhangra, performers from every discipline

turned out in a bid to impress our three judges.

We're making dreams come true in here.

They are...

professional dancer and former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt,

star of stage and screen John Partridge,

and director and choreographer Simeon Qsyea.

But which dancer will join these guys and the rest of the cast?

It's Taking The Next Step.

The hunt is on for one dancer who will join the cast of The Next Step.

Been practising for months. Just hope it goes well.

It's the opportunity of a lifetime,

but our judges all need to be convinced.

Only three yeses will guarantee a place in the next round.

I got a ticket to nationals! Whoo!

Lindsey, the judges have been looking for this everywhere.

You did not get three yeses.

OK.

First to audition, it's 14-year-old street dancer Joe.

Dancing is just such a huge part of my life.

It's like I dance nearly every day.

In school I got detention for dancing. It's just what I do.

I just love it.

It's just like when you're on stage, you just feel like

something's inside and you just burst out, come out.

It just makes me want to do dance even more.

Joe, come on over.

-You've got swag, I like that.

-Yeah.

-You seem ready for this audition.

-Feeling good?

-Yeah.

-Good luck.

-Thanks.

Impress those judges. Go for it.

Remember, Joe needs a yes from all three of our judges

if he's to secure a ticket for nationals.

-Hey.

-Hello.

-What's your name?

-My name's Joe.

How long have you been dancing for, Joe?

I've been dancing since I was four.

-The floor is yours.

-Thank you.

-Show me what you got.

MUSIC: Good Feeling by Flo Rida

I just can't help but like you.

You've got serious charisma.

Standing there, talking to us, dancing.

It's just burning off of you and I really like that.

She likes you, Joe.

I do. I like when you get into it.

But it's like you put stank face on, but it's real,

it's not like put-on stank face.

-I'm not a fan of the stank face thing. I don't get it.

-I am.

I find it really distracting.

I'm not sure whether you're in pain...

-No, it's like attitude.

-Yeah, I mean, I get that.

I get that it's that, but what other faces do you have other than stank?

-Angry face, I can do.

-Show me angry face.

Yeah! Now show me happy face.

Yeah!

Now, show me stank face just so I can like...

Yeah. No, I'm not a fan of the stank face.

-But, Joe, I'm a fan of you. Good job.

-Thanks.

So, you need three yeses to go through to nationals. Kim?

I think you're that One Direction character of dance.

-I can't help it, I see it.

-Oh, big compliment.

I think The Next Step might just love you.

-So, yes.

-Thank you.

-It's a yes for me, Joe.

-Thank you.

I do like you.

I do feel like dance-wise you've got some way to go.

You're good, but if you're too overconfident

and not willing to learn, that can be troublesome for you.

No, I am willing to learn. I'm willing to improve.

I'm willing to learn from other people, other teachers.

Who's not going to love that face?

Looks like you're going to nationals then.

Thank you so much.

Well done.

-You have to tank the stank, right?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

He's good, he's got a good character.

From stank face to smiley face, Joe's done it.

-How you feeing?

-So good, so good.

-Oh, my goodness!

What happened in there?

John said I was doing a stank face, he wants me to get rid of it.

Kimberly loved me, she loved me.

She was just like, "You're the 1D of dance."

Ooh! What a compliment from Kimberly as well.

-Go celebrate, Joe.

-Thanks.

Yes!

So, one audition down and one ticket to nationals secured.

Yes, I got through to nationals!

Whoo!

Can any of these other dancers wow the judges

and grab a spot alongside Joe in the next round?

As an overall performance,

I didn't feel like you were telling me anything.

It's a no today, but you keep on dancing, OK?

-Yeah.

-Thanks.

I feel like you're still on your way, still on your journey.

It's a no from myself today.

MUSIC: Shake It Off by Taylor Swift

You've got great energy, great personality,

I just needed a bit more tap.

-It's a no today, Jamie.

-OK.

Winning over our three judges clearly won't be easy.

13-year-old Catherine is no stranger to auditions.

She's previously trained with a Hollywood talent agency,

so today should be a breeze.

I think I'm a little bit more nervous for this audition than

the other ones because it's The Next Step and I love that show

cos it's such a big hit, so I think the pressure's really on,

and I'm just hoping that I can do my best

and hopefully the judges will like it.

Catherine, are you a big fan of the show?

-Yes.

-Oh, you had to think about that one. You were like, uh...

I was going say I'm even bigger fan,

but I couldn't think of a bigger word than big, so...

-That is totally fine.

-Huge, humongous, enormous.

OK, and what are you doing for us today?

-I'm doing contemporary.

-Well, the floor is yours.

-Take it away.

-Thank you.

MUSIC: Skinny Love by Birdy

APPLAUSE

Catherine, I like you, but I'm not so sure I like that dance.

Because it's so slow, you had a lot of time to...

through your port de bras,

and I just wanted you to lift high release through that port de bras.

It just would have given it a little bit more grace.

It was really nice, you've got really great,

lovely qualities about the way that you move.

It just needs more strength behind it.

Just needs a bit more depth to it, a bit more, ough!

Got to give me something!

You have a lovely grace about you and it's really actually

quite mature for such a young dancer, but we just need the kick.

We're going to go to a vote.

You need three yeses to go through to nationals.

I know this means a lot to you.

Catherine, we're all looking for different things.

Simeon is looking choreographically, Kimberly is looking at dance

and I'm looking at personality and character.

And for that, for your character, it's a yes from me.

Thank you.

-Kim?

-Oh, I love you.

That face is gorgeous, you've got a really good facility...

..but you got to work on that strength.

It's a no for now. Keep, keep training.

So, it's a no from myself as well, but keep training,

keep working hard and really listen to all the advice we gave you today.

-Thanks for coming down.

-Thank you.

-Thank you, Catherine.

-Thanks a lot.

So, even though I didn't get through

I'm just really glad I came here today.

I got really good feedback which I can now work on

and I wish good luck to everyone else.

Catherine gave it everything, but the bar is set sky-high.

Will 14-year-old Erin fare any better?

-Hi, Erin.

-Hello.

-How are you?

-Good, thank you.

I'm excited to see you dance. Take the floor.

MUSIC: All Of Me by John Legend

APPLAUSE

What I'm concerned about, Erin, is not your dancing.

We're looking for not just a dancer on this show,

we're looking for a girl that can hold a story arc in a drama.

-Yeah.

-We're looking for an actress as well,

and I'm not sure I'm seeing your personality in you, Erin.

You have a real vision for dance, a real feel for it.

It was really quite effortless and I enjoyed that. Did you do enough?

I think there's some personality maybe

that you just need to be a bit more fearless.

I feel like you are a good, solid dancer.

I didn't feel like you had that edge that I would want.

What would it mean for you to go nationals?

Erm, it would mean a lot.

I think this is sort of what I want to do with my life,

so to be able to have this opportunity,

especially at this age, would open up so much

doors for me and meeting new people.

Even today, I've met so many nice people.

I can see how much this means to you

and I can see that you're a little upset.

We all get noes and we all get rejections, OK?

But I think Kimberly and I both see something in you.

Would this not be a question for a callback?

OK. We'll give her a shot. Callback.

Bring some fire when you come back to this callback, OK?

It's not your dancing, we're not worried about your dancing.

-Bring some fire from you, yeah?

-I will. Thank you.

LINDSEY: So, it's a callback for Erin.

That means she's earned the opportunity to come back

at the end of the day and dance again.

I think if there was ever a case for a callback, really...

that's one.

But she'll need to perform her heart out to stand a chance

of going through to nationals.

Our judges are demanding, but they need to be.

This isn't just any dance contest.

The prize on offer is nothing less than the opportunity of a lifetime -

a guest role on The Next Step.

Being a part of The Next Step,

it's amazing.

It's an amazing feeling.

Especially considering the success of the show.

Now, to see, after four seasons, what it's become, and it's awesome.

So, it's no surprise that our regional auditions were proving

a magnet for Next Step superfans from every corner of the UK.

On a scale of one to ten, how much do you love The Next Step?

20.

Me and my sister are addicted to it.

Would it be quite the dream come true to become part of it?

Yeah.

-Who's your favourite character?

-I think my favourite's Michelle.

I really love Emily.

-Eldon.

-Riley.

-Giselle.

-Daniel.

-Amanda.

It's West, because he's just so funny

and all the tricks he does is amazing.

And when he delivers a dance, he always does the best he can.

Well, this is your chance to take the next step, so take to the floor.

MUSIC: Set Fire To The Rain by Adele

APPLAUSE

I think it was a great piece of choreography.

I really love the fact that you travel and use the space.

I'll say yes.

Thank you.

I think you're a really good little dancer.

-It's a yes from me.

-Thank you.

What would it mean to you to go through?

It would mean the world to me because I love The Next Step

and I watch it all the time and to actually get to go to nationals

would just be a step further.

It's a yes from me.

-See you at nationals.

-Thank you so much.

-Thank you.

-Take care.

Congrats. See you soon, yeah?

One Next Step superfan inches closer to crossing the Atlantic

and performing alongside her heroes.

In London, 14-year-old Khyrese was also hoping that today's audition

could be the first step on a journey to a starring role

in his favourite TV show.

If I was on The Next Step it would mean literally everything

because I would dance with my heroes.

It would just be so...

It would be so amazing.

Don't be nervous. You seem really nervous.

There you go. Shake it out.

You're getting ready to throw down, don't be nervous.

-Are you excited to perform today?

-Yes, pumped.

All right, let's do it.

MUSIC: Wrapped Up by Ollie Murs

APPLAUSE

Well done. I'm going to start with Simeon.

I don't want generic street dancers. I want magicians.

You started improvising, using your finger, that's what I want to see.

I'm looking for someone who's got that edge.

I love your level of movement.

When it is real to you, that's when it's yummy.

But I also need it to be real right here

cos this is a TV show as well and you've got to be able to act,

you've got to be able to become a part of that as well.

Yeah, it's a tough one for me, mate.

It is, it's a tough one for me.

When you perform for me you look off to somewhere here.

And it's...not connecting with me.

Who inspires you?

Lots of people.

-People from Next Step, Hunter, Giselle, West.

-Why do you like them?

Because Hunter, his style's so grimy and flowy.

And then Giselle's got all the...

tricks.

And then West is all like... isolation, slow.

-Yeah.

-And who are you? What do you bring?

What's your style? What's your flow?

My flow is just...

I...just want this so much.

You need three yeses to get through to the nationals.

It's going to be the fight of your life.

I believe in you. It's a yes from me.

It's a yes from me. I love your passion,

and you really want it, and I commend you for that.

-Thank you.

-Johnny?

Every kid that comes through this door wants it.

I'll show you. In here.

I'll show you that I want it.

That's what an audition is. You have to show it right here, right now.

And you did. It's a yes from me.

SIMEON BIRD CALLS

Boom.

Thank you so much.

Come here. Come get your ticket to nationals.

LINDSEY: Our judges have really put him through his paces,

but Khyrese has done just enough to convince them

he deserves a place in the next round.

Whoo! How are you feeling?

I'm so excited.

-You've got a ticket to nationals.

-Yeah.

He worked hard for that.

You're one step closer to dancing with The Next Step team.

-How does that sound?

-Amazing.

It's party time for a delighted Khyrese.

# I'm going to nationals

# I'm going to nationals. #

Yep, I'm going to nationals.

But 11-year-old Esha has some work to do.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-What's your name?

-Esha.

-Hi, Esha.

-Hello.

What does it feel like when you dance?

I just love it. I just listen to the music and be myself.

Good. You be yourself today. The floor is yours. Take it away.

MUSIC: Human by Christina Perri

APPLAUSE

-I really enjoyed that performance.

-Thank you.

There's been very few people that's come out and really touched me,

and that was the way you switch into the mode, you got into it,

-was that... Really was amazing.

-Thank you.

-Kim?

Technically there's some things going on through those legs

and whatnot, but that real emotion was beautiful.

Thank you.

And I like your quality of movement, it's a bit different,

it's a bit quirky, it's a bit understated, but really grown up.

When you're dancing you become this fearless warrior.

You look like you could break down walls.

But when you stand here in front of me,

I'm not so sure that person could break down a wall.

Cos we're not just looking for a dancer,

we're looking for somebody who can be a fearless actress too.

-Yeah.

-Is that you, Esha?

-Yes.

Esha, I'm going to have

a little conversation with my friends over here.

If you don't mind, just give us a minute.

(I'm just wondering from the other contemporary girl that

(we've kept through to a callback,

(where does that stand up against it?

(Do you mind if I call her back to see them together?

-(I don't mind.

-No, I don't mind.)

So, we've had a little talk...

and we're a bit undecided.

We like your dancing, but we want to see more of your personality,

so we're going to invite you to a callback.

-That's happening at the end of today. Is that OK with you?

-Yes.

So, it looks like Erin and Esha will be going head-to-head

at those all-important callbacks.

Their dancing has impressed the judges,

but if either of these dancers wants to secure a spot at nationals

their personalities will really need to shine.

As the day rolls on,

competition for those prized tickets remains as fierce as ever.

But that hasn't stopped friendships from forming backstage.

We're feeling a bit nervous because we're the only two callbacks.

It could go either way.

We could both get in, we could both not get in, or only one of us.

No matter what happens, we'll still be friends.

No? OK.

OK.

That's harsh. That's harsh.

And Joe and Khyrese who are already safely through to nationals

have stuck around to offer the girls some moral support.

Can we have our final two callbacks,

that's Esha and Erin, please?

So, guys, what's going to happen now -

we're going to play you a track,

you can use the material you've done before

or you can totally improv and freestyle it.

All we're looking for is quality of performance, not just technique.

Erin, you'll stand over here. Esha, you will go first.

Start when you're ready. Please, take your place.

MUSIC STARTS

And relax.

And switch over.

And relax.

If you could both come back for me, please.

We're going to take a couple of minutes

to speak about the both of you.

You can leave and we'll invite you back in in a second.

-Thank you.

-Thanks a lot.

-How do you think each other did?

-She is amazing.

You were so good. You were like popping and locking.

-I was like, "So good."

-I love this support that's going,

cos you both really want each other

-to get a ticket to nationals, don't you? BOTH:

-Yeah.

So, I was really surprised actually

because she really pulled it out the bag.

Do you think there's a possibility that they could both go through,

both this girl and this girl?

My honest opinion is no.

My honesty says there's one girl that came to that callback,

killed it and deserves it.

Judges' deliberation finally over,

it's time for Esha and Erin to learn their fate.

Hello, ladies. How are you feeling?

-BOTH:

-Nervous.

-Nervous.

-KIM CHUCKLES

It's been a really tough day. I know this means so much to each of you.

So we've made a decision.

One of you did brilliantly...

the other still needs a little bit of work.

But there's people that believe in you behind this desk

that want to see you put that work to good use.

So we've decided...

..to take both of you through to nationals.

-Thank you so much.

-Come get your tickets, ladies.

Congratulations.

Girls? Oh, my goodness!

Oh, my goodness!

Two tickets to nationals.

I've got goose bumps. I think I'm going to cry.

Well done, guys. Good job. Whoo!

A fantastic end to the day in London,

as new-found friends Esha and Erin deliver callback performances

packed with enough personality to win over the judges.

-ALL:

-We're going to nationals!

-Next time...

-Whoo!

Do you have the potential?

Are you this guy?

This right now, it's not right.

Girl, you brought me to tears.

I'm going to say yes.

It's a yes from me.

I think you just danced your way to nationals.

THEY CHEER