Episode 6 Taking the Next Step

This is Taking The Next Step, the show where talented young dancers

compete for an amazing prize - to get a role

on the hit TV dance show, The Next Step.

Let's do this!

53 dancers came to our national auditions, determined to impress

our industry experts.

# Let's go! #

They are professional dancer and former Pussycat Doll

Kimberly Wyatt,

star of stage and screen John Partridge,

and director and choreographer Simeon Qsyea.

Music.

The judges put them through their paces...

-Pretty amazing.

-..and made some tough decisions.

No!

# Let's do it, do it... #

Now, just 20 dancers remain and today they face

their biggest challenge yet.

I'm so nervous for this audition.

-What are you doing?

-I ain't doing it with...it.

Oh, you're crazy.

What happened?

With the pressure on and only 12 places in the next round,

who will be taking the Next Step?

We have made a decision.

Welcome to day two of Nationals.

Dancers, a huge congratulations on making it this far.

Please welcome our judges, Kimberly, Simeon and John.

CHEERING

-Hello, judges.

-Hello.

-Hello.

It is day two of Nationals. So, Kimberly,

what are these guys going to have to do to impress you today?

Today is a much different day for you guys, because

we've been watching you dance, but today, we want to see you talk.

-We want to see you come to life...

-Hang on one minute,

that's not what you said in the dressing room.

That's what we just talked about.

I think we need to be clear, because... Can we just stop filming for a moment?

What's...? Wait, OK. Stop. What happened?

Well, in the dressing room, you said something completely different.

Now we're out here, and they're not going to know what...

Can we not do this in front of the kids?

Can we, like, send them away, or something?

I thought we were on the same page.

You see, now that is acting improvisation.

LAUGHTER

We had you fooled for a minute, didn't we?

And that is your challenge today.

Now, most of the scenes you see on The Next Step are improvised.

That means there's no scripts.

So today, we will be testing your improvisation skills.

Now, the scene we'd like you to act out today are four dancers at a

dance competition. Now, maybe you're just arriving at the competition,

seeing who you're competing against. Maybe you've already danced,

been placed. Maybe you think the judges

didn't make the right decision.

Maybe you're in the wings, watching each other dance.

The choice is yours.

Let your imaginations run free.

Good luck. Yeah, come on.

The improv challenge is on.

The brief is to come up with a scene for four dancers at a dance

competition. There are no scripts or prewritten words in this acting

challenge, so our budding actors will have to decide what to do.

They'll be judged on how they perform as individuals,

how they interact with each other, and how they get their ideas across

to the audience.

The judges are watching them prepare.

First on their radar, it's...

D'yous want us to come over to you?

Yeah, you could just stand near us, making it look like

we're going to be jealous and all that of you, and all.

He's really taking control.

Kimberly thought Joe stood out at London Regionals.

You've got serious charisma.

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

Thank you.

And then, like, stop, and then, like, look at them in disgust.

Yes.

Chloe and Imogen certainly impressed at their regional auditions.

I thought it was brilliant.

I thought it was really, really beautiful.

Chloe, it was gorgeous.

-I absolutely loved it.

-Thank you.

So unless we, like, go round the chair, like,

to insinuate that we've, like, gone into the dance.

-Yeah.

-I think that might make sense.

-Yeah.

Today, Imogen, Chloe and Joe have been teamed up with Khalid, who,

unlike them had some tough feedback at his regional audition.

Technically, it's not there but what you do have is something special.

Is it enough for you to get to The Next Step?

Not too sure.

I'll keep pushing until I can prove to you that this is my moment and I

truly, truly believe this is my moment.

The 15 minutes of rehearsal time is over.

The stage is set, and for our first group,

this could be their biggest challenge yet.

Now, Joe, Khalid, Chloe and Imogen

need to perform their scene of four dancers at a dance competition.

So how did you come up with the idea for your scene?

We thought, like, a little rivalry, that the girls could be, like,

mad at the boys and could be, like, all sassy and everything.

And the boys could be, like, jokers and all that. Yeah.

-OK. You like to talk a lot, don't you, Joe?

-Yeah.

LAUGHTER

Well, listen, we're looking forward to it, OK?

So, in your own time, the floor is yours.

-Yo, what's up?

-Hey, man!

Do you know what, I've been practising, like, day and night,

so I think we've got this.

-Yeah, but you know we're going to kill it.

-You know it!

Do you think they look any good?

No.

Not a chance.

-They're quite mean.

-23.

-That's us.

-That's us. Let's go, let's go.

-We've got this.

-Ready, yeah?

-Let's go.

Oh. They're going in.

Do you think they'll get it?

No, I mean, they won't.

OK.

-Yes! We got through!

-Oh, we got it, man!

-Yes.

-Number one.

Number one.

-You know it.

-They got it!

24. It's us.

Five, six, seven, eight.

Ow!

What are you doing?

Get up!

I didn't mean to.

I'm so sorry.

-It's your fault.

-Thank you.

-They didn't get through?

-How's that possible?

-Right, let's just go and...

-Let's go see.

-Yeah.

-Oh, well done, well done.

-Well done!

-OK.

-Yeah, well, we won.

Oh, oh, oh! Sorry.

I think it was natural and I liked the way that you played on ideas

that you already know. You already know what it's like to be injured

or to audition. Well done.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-I like how you came through the chairs to show you

were leaving one space and coming into a new space.

That was good for us, as an audience, to define that.

Overall, guys, good job.

ALL: Thank you. Thank you.

What was it like acting?

It was a bit different, wasn't it?

-Yeah, was different.

-More nerve racking?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-Really?

-Was the heart really pounding?

-Yeah.

For Group One the pressure is off - for now.

I'm so nervous for this audition.

It's all right. Just do what you always do.

Now it's up to Group Two to perform well.

Earlier today in rehearsal, they seemed to be working together well.

-I don't need it.

-A lot of confidence in this group.

Macy was determined to impress one judge in particular at Regionals.

Have you got any favourite dance styles,

or people that you are inspired...

-Kimberly.

-Oh, I see!

-Oh!

-Oh!

I just love the way she dances.

I'm actually getting emotional.

Oh, honey. I just want to give you a hug!

It's so nice to meet you.

-I got through!

-I'm so proud of you.

-Thank you!

-Oh, my God, what did they say?

They were, like, "you're so good."

Oh, she's a firecracker.

Wait, who's next here?

I am.

Will Isabella take on board John's words of wisdom from her regional

-audition?

-I love the confidence, yeah?

But if the confidence just steps over a little bit...

Yeah?

-That's not good, right?

-No.

I was saying stuff, like, to her, and then she goes in straightaway

-and then, waiting for her to get back out?

-Yeah.

-All right.

While her team-mate Isabella oozes confidence,

it was a different story for 15-year-old Milan in Cardiff.

You've really got to sell it to me.

Make me believe in what you're performing.

The only boy in this group is Jamie,

who won over Kimberly at his Cardiff audition.

You've obviously got some serious talent under your belt.

I see a lot of potential in you.

Brr! Brr! Ma!

So, who will fulfil their potential in this challenge?

It's time for Group Two to take to the stage.

Can't wait to see it. Enjoy.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

I'm so nervous for this audition.

It's all right. Just do what you always do, and you'll be fine.

-I got the part!

-Oh, my God!

-Oh, my God, that's amazing!

I'm so proud of you.

-Thank you.

-What did they say?

-They were like, "You're really good."

Oh, my gosh! Wait. So, who's next in?

Yeah, I am. OK, well, I'm up.

-Oh, good luck.

-Good luck.

Good luck.

OK. How can someone be that self-centred?

She's SO rude.

She has no respect for anyone.

-My bag.

-Oh, sorry, sorry.

So, how did you get on?

Yeah, it was, um, really good.

Did you get through OK?

-Let's go through it, guys.

-All right.

-I'm a bit stuck.

-Five, six, seven, eight.

One, two, three and four, five and six and seven.

-Jamie!

-Jamie!

-Sorry, guys.

Oh, hold on. Hey, come and join us.

No, I know it.

-Of course you do.

-OK.

-Five, six, seven, eight.

-One!

-Thank you.

Come together.

I thought you had well-defined characters.

I thought, Jamie, you could've come out of yourself a little bit more.

You're fighting against strong personalities here with the girls,

but overall, I think it was a good job.

Jamie, I did like you.

I liked the fact that you made the group blend,

because everyone can't be loud at the same time.

But I thought, like, you guys done really well.

-Thank you.

-It was really fun.

-I love the team that I was in.

-Yeah.

Awesome friends, here? ALL: Yeah.

OK.

This one really surprised me.

I actually really, really liked it.

All they can do now is wait.

# Stand up! #

This contest isn't just about finding a great dancer.

We're looking for an actor as well.

But when there's no script,

how do the professionals deliver their best performance?

We have a very rough skeleton in our scenes.

So, we'll be like, "OK, this is what's going to happen in the scene.

"You're going to come in, Eldon's going to be doing this,

"this is what you guys are going to talk about and then it's going to

"end here. This is your motivation, this is where it goes.

"The conversation ends around here."

Next time you do that jump, you might want to just

engage your core a bit more.

-Just so you don't fall forward.

-OK.

-And also that back leg?

You want to turn it out.

Especially being West,

I have a lot of freedom to kind of, say certain things,

or do certain things, or physicalise certain things. So, you know,

when... Especially when me and Eldon do a scene,

it's a lot of fun and, you know, anything can happen, really.

You want me to audition for a ballet?

If it's so easy to master ballet,

then you should have no problem landing a role.

Just as long as I don't have to be the Nutcracker, cos, you know,

I'm opposed to violence.

Back to our auditions, and ready to perform their scene of

four dancers at a competition, it's...

Two of this group wowed the judges at Regionals.

11-year-old Molly in Manchester.

You're like a little pocket rocket.

-Thank you.

-And Raiaz in Cardiff.

How willing are you to work really hard?

Very, very willing.

-What are you doing? I'm dancing!

-Sorry!

Oh, Jude!

Erin and Jude only made it to Nationals the judges called them

back at the end of the day when they both auditioned in London.

You've got such a great groove about you.

I'm just not so sure it's enough.

Erin has to prove she is more than a good dancer.

Do you really believe you have what it takes to get to The Next Step?

Yeah, I think I do.

I don't want you to think you believe it.

I want you to believe it.

Can Erin step up to the challenge?

Today, there are no second chances.

Good luck. The floor is yours.

Thank you.

-Excuse me.

-Thank you.

I'm so nervous.

It's so big!

What are you doing? You can't bump into me like that.

-Sorry.

-Sorry.

-That's what I thought.

Come on. Shall we just go through it a sec?

-Yeah.

-Let's stretch.

You've got those stretches?

Look what I can do.

-Ah!

-Oh, my gosh!

-Someone call an ambulance.

-I will! I will!

Please.

Guess who's going to win now?

OK. Up on to the chair.

-Where's your mum?

-In the audience.

Time is ticking. Better hurry up and get on stage.

Come on, we need to go!

Number 20.

Please come to the stage.

Kimberly, John and Simeon.

We are number 25.

Come on.

25. Erin and Molly, please come to the stage.

Break a leg!

Acting is about reacting.

It's not just about delivering lines.

It's about listening to what's coming.

And I thought you all listened to each other really well.

-Thank you.

-Good job.

-Thank you.

Yeah, I definitely think that the nerves got the better of you at the

-start.

-Yeah.

-But as you went on, the story started to unfold,

we could see the characters a bit more, so, well done.

ALL: Thank you.

You seem quite happy with how it went. You happy?

-We done our best.

-Yeah.

-Bit different.

Three of our groups have performed for the judges

and the mood backstage is upbeat.

John told me that I need to come out of my shell more

and be more confident as an actor,

but then Simeon told me that I balanced out well

and I made the group blend, which was quite good.

Feeling 99.9...

No, 99...

I'm pretty confident that I've got, like, through to the next round,

because we all did well, so it's just...

-Hope for the best.

-So what is it?

-99...

-99.99%.

Yeah. I'm feeling that.

It's a different story for those still to face the judges.

Next up...

At the Manchester Regionals,

Julia explained the reason behind her determination to dance.

I want to, like, get every opportunity I can

before I have an operation, so...

What is the operation for?

-On my back.

-OK.

Sorry.

It's OK. Take a moment.

I have to have an operation on my back.

I might not be able to dance.

For now, the show must go on.

You three, you need to come out and get your act together.

Wow! This is fantastic.

Ellie also auditioned in Manchester where John spotted

her performance potential.

We're looking for somebody that can act and I think

-that just might be you.

-Thank you so much.

-I loved it.

But, in Glasgow, he was looking for more from 12-year-old Jay.

You've got to act as well, Jay,

but you got to be that character as soon as you come through the door,

and not just when the music starts, yeah?

Yeah.

In London, Simeon wanted Lance to have

more confidence in his performance.

You've done an amazing job. Cool?

So you need to stand tall and stand proud, yeah?

It's time for Jay, Julia,

Ellie and Lance to prove that they can act as well as dance.

Hey, y'all! Lance in the building.

What's up? I'm going to smash this!

Don't you mean, "We're going to smash this?"

No, I mean, "I'm going to smash this."

We need to get the routine sorted out, so, from the top?

Five, six, seven, eight.

Lance, what are you doing?

I'm dancing. What are you doing?

It's a troupe. We're supposed to do the same thing.

Calm down, calm down.

Guys, guys, guys.

Right, from the top. Once more.

Hey, guys. Wasn't I in the middle?

Yeah. Five, six, seven, eight.

-Ow!

-Ellie!

-Beef, beef, beef, beef.

-Lance, be quiet.

-She was in my spot.

-I'm centre.

-You OK?

Right. You two, left.

-What are we going to do?

-How about I have a solo, cos, you know.

Woohoo!

No. I think I should, cos I'm world champion.

Woohoo!

Well, a duet.

-I ain't doing it with...IT!

-Whoa!

Are you crazy?

What impressed me about that is that you let everybody get their line out

and let the audience know what it was that you were thinking.

There's a lot of confidence in this group and I must say, Lance,

I thought you were quite a shy kid but it turns out you're not shy

at all, so a real big surprise for me.

Really good job, you guys.

-Thank you.

-Thanks.

-It was fun? Yes.

Maybe even more fun than dance.

-Really?

-Yeah.

So you guys would actually rather go in there and act again than do a

-dance challenge?

-Yeah.

-Strong group, that.

-Yeah.

I think they've seen a different side to me now,

cos I'm a bit more, like, confident,

compared to my first day.

I'm not that shy any more.

Two more scenes done.

As well as their individual performances,

our budding actors will be judged on how the group interacted and how the

scene played out as a whole.

20 dancers are fighting for just 12 places at the next cut.

And it's been a long, nervous wait for the final four.

At Regionals, Harriet showed what a perfectionist she is.

If I have an expectation of what I want to do,

if I don't do exactly that,

I will work, so that I will 100% get it,

cos I will get really annoyed with myself otherwise.

The attributes of a great ballet dancer.

HARRIET LAUGHS

-Basically, yeah.

-But can she deliver the perfect acting performance?

I think I have a better chance at winning, like.

You do? Cos you don't have the technique, so...

Whoa. Guys, guys. We've got to sort this out properly.

Performing alongside Harriet, it's Sophia,

who should feel right at home with this acting challenge.

Do you do many shows, or...?

Yeah, I was in Billy Elliot in the West End when I was ten.

For a year.

Oh. You kept that bit quiet, didn't you, Sophia?

Kimberly thought Eleiyah delivered a dramatic performance at Regionals.

When I dance, I, like, imagine, a story in me head

and, like, follow that through.

She deserves to be in the Nationals.

Guys, stop. You gotta sort this out properly.

Do nothing, and let me still steal the show as always.

Finally, it's 14-year-old Khyreese,

who had to fight for his place here today.

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 and you got to be able to act,

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

I just want this so much.

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

So, this is it.

To stay in the contest, Khyreese, Eleiyah,

Harriet and Sophia need to improv, Next Step style.

Guys, it's Khyreese.

-I'm going to go practice.

-We'll just watch.

-That's fine.

Sophia again!

All the time. Oh, Nationals, Internationals...

No, she won't win this time.

Ooh, I'm sorry! Are you all right?

Sophia, you OK?

-Are you all right?

-What was that for?

Um, I'm just going to go now.

-Sorry.

-Really?

-You OK?

-My ankle.

-Can you dance?

-I don't think so.

-OK, it's all right.

I can do your solo for you.

I think I should be the one to do the solo,

cos I came second against Sophia, so...

Yeah, but my technique score is always higher than yours.

So, you know, basically, I'm going to win.

Whoa! Guys.

Come on, we've got to sort this out properly.

-Someone's got to do it.

-Do you want to win, or...?

Guys, we need to sort this out properly.

Wait, I've got an idea.

How about do nothing, and let me steal the show as always?

-Not going to let you do that.

-You injured me on purpose.

-It was you!

-It was only an accident, Sophia.

I'm sorry. I'm sure you understand.

Spatial awareness, though.

Oh, I'll improve on that next time.

But anyway, break a leg.

Oh, yeah - it's already broken!

-Good luck with that.

-Get practising.

-You're going to need it.

-OK.

-So I'll do the solo.

-Wait.

Why don't we just let Sophia decide?

It's her solo in the first place.

Why don't you guys just do a duet?

Could work.

-Shall we go and practice?

-Yeah.

You know what? I'm done with this.

But don't worry. Next competition. They ain't seen the last of me.

I loved it!

Seriously well done.

Really, really impressed with all of you.

This really looked like a scene from the Next Step.

The language you used, the way you told the story,

it seemed very natural.

On the whole, it was a great, great job.

Very well done, guys.

ALL: Thank you.

The acting challenge is over.

Now only 12 dancers can survive the cut and keep their

Next Step dream alive.

This group, for me, there's two absolute standouts.

Really proud of them.

I have to say, I agree.

-Yay!

-I thought they were fantastic and it's a definite yes from me.

-Yes, pile.

-Yes, pile.

So, our dancers have done all they can do

and now it's up to the judges to decide

who makes it through to the next challenge.

This is going to be so hard.

Every time we see her, we're never a full "yes."

It's always a little bit on the fence.

Yeah.

I just worry that she's not quite ready.

I feel that sometimes with this girl, there's not necessarily

as much obvious individuality about her and I think that's probably...

See, I disagree, because this one consistently...

But is she a star?

Yes, she is.

I'm talking about the kid who gets up and pushes through,

and wants it and dreams of it. That's her.

More than this one?

Yeah. It's her. She deserves to be on this show.

It's yes from me.

That other dancer that you said deserves it,

that's how I feel about this one.

I feel like, if there was a person I feel like deserves it,

based on their ability and them as a character, and them as a person,

I'd go with this dancer, but...

I couldn't agree more with that.

I really believe in this girl. And there have been so many times

where we've been at the wire, and I'm like,

you know what? I understand where you're coming from,

I understand where you're coming from.

Let me put somebody through, I put my neck on the line for that one.

I really do.

From 20, the judges have chosen their 12.

Look at them!

There you go.

The anxious wait backstage is almost over.

Moments from now, these dancers are going to face the judges and

find out whether they've done enough to make it through.

Dancers have been called in different groups, and now the judges

will let them know if it's good news or bad news for the entire group.

First of all, I just want to say it's been a real privilege to watch

all of you dance, to see you take on the challenges,

to work together as teams,

and to really come to life as little actors and actresses.

You've done so well.

You've done everything we've asked of you.

It's been hard for us, going from 20 to 12.

So it's not a conversation that we took lightly.

We have deliberated thoroughly.

We have made a decision.

And that decision is...

that you won't be going through to the next round.

It's the end of the road for Raiaz, Chloe, Jay and Isabella.

I love that you're still smiling, all of you.

Have you actually had a good experience?

-Yeah.

-Yes.

-Yeah? Well, I think you've been awesome.

I love you guys. You've done really, really well.

You guys are going through.

I'm really happy.

I didn't think I was getting through, so it's a bit of a shock.

We've decided that we'd like to take you with us to the next round.

You're through.

Lance and Jude, I've never seen you both speechless.

-What's going on?

-We're not speechless!

That they actually said yes, we're down to the last 12, is so cool.

With eight dancers through already,

only four places remain for the final UK audition.

So will it be Julia, Joe, Macy and Khyreese,

or Imogen, Jamie, Alia and Molly?

This contest has been brilliant.

To see such talent come through,

to see everybody push themselves to the limit and deliver.

And this has been a really hard challenge for us,

to really work out who we're going to take to the next round.

After much deliberation, a few fallouts, a few fights,

we've made a decision.

You guys will not be going through to the next round.

It may be a no today,

but I really think you have such a bright future ahead of you.

Keep on dancing, keep on acting, keep on going for it.

Sadly, it's goodbye to Molly, Jamie, Imogen and Alia.

It can only be good news for Julia's group.

We'd like to take you with us to the next round.

Yay!

Look at you, you're all wiggling and shaking!

-You just want to shake it off and dance, I bet.

-Yeah.

Do you want to do a celebration dance?

Go, man! Woo!

What a roller-coaster ride it's been for our dancers.

And for those who have proved themselves in today's

acting challenge, the stakes have just got a whole lot higher.

# Let's do it, do it, do it... #

Our dancers are now one step closer

to that guest role on the Next Step.

But 12 must become six.

This is your moment.

Our dancers have to give the performance of a lifetime.

That's what it's meant to look like.

And our judges face their toughest decision yet.

We have come to a decision.

I quit.

# Stand up! #