Episode 9 Taking the Next Step

# Stand up! #

We're in Canada, where the battle to win a guest role

on the hit TV dance drama The Next Step continues.

1,300 dancers applied...

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

..over 200 came to regional auditions...

-Show us what you've got.

-# Do it! Do it! #

..but only the best won a place at nationals.

We're making dreams come true in here.

THEY SCREAM

-One, two, three...

-Now six dancers must become four...

This is your time to really shine.

I'm nervous.

I feel sick.

..to win that coveted guest role.

THEY SHOUT ENERGETICALLY

Make sure you wait for those exact counts.

They must battle it out on the dance floor...

That's how we roll around here!

-One and two, three...

-..and prove they can perform under pressure.

You'll go in and shake it all up.

But who will be taking the next step?

Oh, it's scary.

Welcome to Taking The Next Step.

THEY CHEER

Finalists, how are you feeling today?

-Overwhelmed.

-Amazing.

-So excited.

Excited? I bet you are.

And three people who are very excited as well

are our three judges.

Please welcome Simeon, Kimberly and John.

THEY CHEER

Remember, our finalists haven't seen the judges since nationals

and with just four places up for grabs in the next round,

they're feeling the pressure to impress.

They are quite scary when they're serious.

When they've got their head in the game.

I'm just ready to see what they think of me now, four weeks later.

It's going to make me more nervous

cos I reckon they're going to be looking for mistakes now.

Well, welcome to Studio A.

Johnny, I know you are a massive fan of The Next Step,

-so how does it feel to actually be here?

-Come on, feel that.

Wow! His heart's like...bub, bub, bub-bub-bub.

Now, Simeon, we're obviously in Studio A.

Do you think that's going to affect our finalists today

-and how they perform?

-It's going to affect me.

LAUGHTER

Now, Kimberly, it is kind of getting tougher, isn't it, for these guys?

So, what are you looking for today?

Are they going to have to step it up a little bit?

They're going to have to step it up. This is The Next Step!

But each and every one of you have truly proved yourselves,

-so congratulations and good luck!

-DANCERS:

-Thank you.

So, our first challenge is a choreographed one...Next Step-style.

So, I've got a special friend who does all the amazing moves

for the A-Troupe.

-Please welcome Amy Wright.

-CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Amy is a riot.

You know when Amy walks in the room.

-Hi.

-DANCERS:

-Hi.

As a choreographer, she's amazing.

So today, I'm going to be putting you guys through

a typical A-Troupe dance.

Turn, control... Cool.

Move and like...Hey!

Not only do our final six have to memorise the moves...

they must come up with a classic Next Step line pose

to end the routine...

..just like their A-Troupe heroes.

Look at that! That's nice, you guys.

When I had to do my signature pose, I felt really cool

because I felt like an actual member of A-Troupe.

Yeah, it felt really special.

I really wish that I had somebody from the A-Troupe

to come and help me with this.

-SHOUTS:

-I'm here!

Who's here?

-Hey!

-Jordgie!

-How's it going?

Nice to meet you guys!

-So, you guys, this is Jordan Clark.

-Hello.

Super flexible, double-jointed Jordan Clark

plays former A-Troupe dance captain Giselle...

So we're going to roll up...

..and today she's helping them master their moves.

One and two...

We are going to do things like a real rehearsal.

We have no time to dilly-dally.

If we were actually rehearsing the show,

we would be teaching this fast and furious.

So, you're going to go do that right now in a rehearsal studio.

-We'll see you soon.

-You'd better be good when I see you again.

Oh, they will be, they will be.

-They'll be, dance captain.

-I got you.

Shooting on The Next Step is fast-paced...

-Let's do this.

-..so the judges have given the finalists just 15 minutes

to rehearse their routine.

Let's start going over it.

One and two, three and four.

Five and six, seven and eight...

Picking up a new routine under pressure

is nothing new for street dancer Joe.

I normally do this at home, so I get them quite fast.

I like doing it fast as well. I don't like going through it slow.

I need to get it down in my head straightaway.

Joe wasn't the only finalist to feel upbeat about this challenge.

I feel like I struggled a little bit at the beginning

and then I found my groove and I was like,

"Hey, Khalid, you got this, man, just relax."

When they were teaching us the dance, we did it quite fast,

but I like that cos it's like some pressure on you.

It's not good if it's just all easy, is it?

We've got time to go over it, so it's actually all right.

But for ballerina Harriet,

adapting her dance style to Amy's routine is proving to be tricky.

I was a bit panicked when they said that I was going to improvise ballet

purely because I've only ever really done pointe solos

and I'm not used to doing ballet off pointe.

Stop. Let's try that again.

Wait. Make sure you wait for those exact counts.

It took me a while to get into it.

I think I started off really tense and took me a while to pick it up,

but near the end, I sort of got into it.

One, two, three, four,

five, six, seven, eight.

Do you think they picked it up quickly enough? Were you impressed?

I was quite impressed, to be honest. I was quite impressed.

There's a little bit of coordination things

-that we need to work on, though.

-OK.

So, we've got to be careful of that.

That last half is a lot of energy, a lot of bouncing,

so they've really got to make sure to pick up that.

-Good luck. See you later.

-Thank you so much.

-They're doing so well.

-How are we doing?

-One, two, three, four...

-But before they know it,

rehearsal time is over.

They now have to perform for the judges

and Next Step choreographer Amy.

Sorry to interrupt, guys.

We're ready for you, if you want to come with me.

Are you ready? I think we're ready.

All six have set their sights on that Next Step guest role.

No-one will be eliminated until the end of the day,

so who will steal the limelight in this first challenge?

This is your moment. This is your time to really shine.

This is about choreography, but also we want to see you.

We want to see your potential, your personality in your dance.

Take your positions.

MUSIC: Control By Next Step

Come on! Six, seven, eight...

CHEERS AND SHOUTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

The main prize feels even closer.

We're doing it with the Next Step choreographer.

It's really exciting.

MUSIC CONTINUES

Today's challenge made me feel like a part of A-Troupe.

We're all together. I think all the dancers are unique.

I'm super proud of them.

It actually felt like an A-Troupe.

MUSIC STOPS

And relax.

-Well done, you guys.

-Good job! You killed it!

So good, guys. So good!

We've got some notes for you guys, some things that we've seen.

Some good, some bad. I'm going to start with you, Kyrese.

-That was a really good job.

-Thank you.

I saw it more in your solo.

I really wanted to get more of it when you was doing the choreography.

Cool?

Harriet, you bring such great professionalism

and you were taking everything on board and picking up quite quickly.

I loved that.

When it comes to your performance,

stylistically, I think you really need to find yourself

and nail it every time.

Bring some of that ballet into all the choreography.

It sets you apart, don't be afraid of that.

Khalid, your tricks are impressive

and I get so excited when you come forward like that and round off.

It is so impressive.

If I had a negative for you, you were copying Jordan.

You know the choreography.

I know you know it,

so just be confident that you know it, OK?

Erin, a bit of the same.

It was only at your solos when I really got to see you.

-Now, I know there were some mistakes...

-Yeah.

..and that really kind of threw you.

But when those mistakes happen, embrace them.

Keep on performing, keep on moving. Cool?

Cos your solo was really, really great.

Julia, you've got such a light, fresh energy that's so fun to watch.

When it comes to picking up choreography,

you do it quite slowly.

Trust that it's in there and just perform it

cos you've got it and you had it and you did it.

Joe, I think you've got bags of charisma.

Could you be a bit cleaner? Yes, you could.

-Guys, great job.

-Yeah, really good.

You all did an amazing job. We are so proud of you.

Really just take a deep breath and try and relax into this

cos that's going to give you the best chance of getting this part.

We'll see you guys soon.

-Thank you.

-Well done.

-Hey, team.

-They did so good.

-Did they do well?

-They did so well. How did that go?

-Really good.

-Really good? You're all smiling.

You all look sweaty as well.

Well, you look exhausted and you must be after all that dancing.

-Do you want to go chill in the lounge? ALL:

-Yeah.

Come on, then. Let's take a break.

With just four places to fight for, the stakes couldn't be higher

and Next Step cast member Jordan has stuck around

to offer the finalists some moral support.

I think you guys did really well.

That's the thing, right, you want to impress them,

but you also want to show your personality

and that's such a huge factor in our show.

It's why there is a show.

Hey!

-What's up?

-Lamar!

-How's it going?

-Good. How are you?

-Let me find a seat here.

-Oh, there you go.

-Yeah, so how's this morning going?

-ALL:

-Good.

-It's good?

Yeah. They felt like a real A-Troupe.

Yeah. Oh, yeah, for sure.

What's it like on set with all the cast?

Like, do you have banter, do you have joking?

I remember one time Chloe, James and I we got sent to different corners

because we were laughing so hard, so we had to separate ourselves.

It actually reminds me of us sometimes when we're eating

-we just can't stop laughing.

-I was crying with laughter.

He has the funniest laugh. He goes like...ha-ha-ha-ha.

-HE LAUGHS

-There it is!

You should hear her laugh. Oh, my goodness.

It sounds a little bit like a seal.

-Or like a donkey, seal kind of mixture of...

-Like a donkey...

Like a...like a... Huh, huh-huh...

Do you know what? Our dancers are having the time of their lives

here on set, but at the end of today, two are going home

and with the first challenge out of the way,

that means there's just one more chance to impress those judges.

So, welcome.

-How are you feeling?

-DANCERS:

-Good.

OK, for this next challenge, we're going to split you into trios.

So, first trio...

Joe...

Julia...

Kyrese.

Move to your group.

Shuffle on over.

So, challenge number two...improv.

Now, we've got somebody very special to help with this today.

Lamar.

So, we're here to talk about improvisation.

And how we improvise on the show is we kind of have a vague outline

of the scene.

OK, the scenario for your scene today

is three dancers rehearsing a combination for internationals.

Yes, so you will need a beginning, middle and end.

-Work with each other, be positive.

-And I will be observing.

And we will be observing too,

so you'll be being watched on all sides. OK?

-Good luck.

-DANCERS:

-Thank you.

-Let's do it.

Our six finalists will perform in groups of three.

But they'll be judged as individuals...

..which starts from the moment they begin to work through their ideas

for the scene.

-What's your idea?

-I'm going to do a routine...ta-ta-ta-ta-ta.

Then you're like, "No, no, no..."

Both groups are working out their improvised scenes

as the judges look on.

Shall I walk in and be like, "Sorry I'm late. I'm really sorry..."

Remember, acting is new to all our dancers

and with only four places to fight for, the stakes are high.

Cos it's the end of the road for two people today,

I think I need to push myself, I need to big everything up.

While some are brimming with confidence,

others seem to be struggling.

I feel so...

I don't know a thing about it.

This challenge is quite hard because it's pushing me

and it's kind of being out of my comfort zone.

And Harriet isn't the only one in her group

finding this challenge difficult.

To begin with I was like, "Oh, OK, this is not going too well,"

but now I'm just going to give it my all.

You're going to do it. Just really exaggerate and just go for it.

Guys, guys, you need to teach me. This is meant to be a trio.

Yeah, OK.

OK, guys. We're going to ask you to leave and finesse out there, OK?

Finesse it, practice it, perfect it.

Remember, listen to each other, OK? React with each other.

And remember, in improv, anything can happen, OK?

-On you go.

-DANCERS:

-Thank you.

Five, six, seven, eight...

Today's final challenge will decide who will be staying

and which two finalists will be leaving

and all our dancers are feeling the pressure.

This is the last chance and I'm going to go out fighting.

From the top.

I felt I slightly messed up this morning's challenge,

so I'm really trying to work myself up with this challenge.

-All right, let's go.

-I'm nervous.

You know, you've just got to do your best and fingers crossed.

JUDGES CHAT Back in the studio,

the judges have a surprise for our finalists

that will really test their improvisation skills.

OK, so, what will happen, you'll go in and shake it all up.

I think the key is to challenge them

-and to really make them think on their feet.

-Bring it on.

It's time for Joe, Julia and Kyrese to take to the floor.

It's their last chance to impress the judges and Lamar

in this improv challenge.

-Hello.

-DANCERS:

-Hi.

So, remember, we want well-defined characters, yeah?

Show us all that personality that's brought you here today.

We want to see all of that, OK?

We're looking forward to it. Get yourselves ready.

Action!

Five, six, seven, eight...

Guys, guys, sorry I'm late.

I was just running really late, sorry.

-Why are you late?

-I was getting my nails done, do you like them?

-Oh, those are nice, you know?

-They're nice, aren't they?

What? You've got to admit they're nice.

Just do the routine, yeah? So, it goes like this.

One...

two...

-three...

-OK, I don't really like that move. It's like...

-I just find it awkward.

-So, what do you want to do?

Like a kick.

Hey, guys.

I'm so sorry, I came as quick as I possibly could.

My name's West. I'm a representative from internationals. Hi.

-Hi.

-I just want to let you know that the rules have changed...

They had worked out some improv scenes

that they were going to present for the judges,

but my job was to then throw them a curveball

with what they had planned to do and see how they can take it.

So no legs, kicks, jumps, splits, none of that, OK?

-OK.

-Have a great rehearsal.

I didn't expect West to come and mess it all up,

but I think our team worked well together.

No, this is what we're going to do. We need to be gassed!

Gassed!

-Energy!

-Energy!

Yeah, gassed. Come on, let's do this!

Let's do it like, you know...

Do ballet!

-Teach us some, then.

-Five, six, seven, eight...

Double pirouette.

-We've got this.

-Yeah, we've got this. Let's go.

-ALL:

-Internationals! Internationals! Internationals!

The pressure is off the first group.

Now it's up to Harriet, Erin and Khalid to fight for their place

in the final four.

Hello.

Like before, Lamar will be making a surprise appearance

to test their improv skills.

Action!

I really want you to work it cos you know this is internationals,

so we have to be on our A-game.

Yeah, well, I promise.

OK. Five, six, seven...

-BREATHLESSLY:

-Sorry I'm late. I had to run.

OK, just go to the back and learn the choreo. Thank you.

Oh, my goodness.

Khalid, is that you?

-Oh, my goodness. I'm such a big fan.

-Excuse...

-Your tricks are amazing.

-Thank you!

-Oh, my goodness.

-Excuse me, we're trying to have...

Why do you like HIM dancing?

Well, he's amazing? He's awesome. He jumps so high.

But he can't pick up our choreography.

-He has springs in his feet.

-Anyway, from the top.

-Thank you, man.

Of course, no problem.

I gave all the attention to Khalid

as opposed to give the attention to the two girls

and I wanted to see how they would react to it

and see how they would adapt to it.

-Five, six, seven, eight...

-Well, you know what,

-I'm having a party tomorrow.

-OK.

-I want you to be there, OK?

-Thank you. I will contact you.

-OK.

-I'm doing it.

-Sorry. Sorry about that.

But I am a good dancer, though.

Maybe you can just come on at the end...

..whilst you're having your little dinner date with your friend.

-I quit!

-HE GROANS ANGRILY

Well done, guys.

Make your way outside and we'll speak to you shortly.

OK, thanks a lot. Bye-bye.

-How was it?

-It was good.

-How did it go?

-It was so good.

-Well done, guys.

What did he say to you? Did he mess up yours?

-Yeah, he was like...

-He came in saying he was his biggest fan.

-He came in saying, "You're my biggest fan..."

-What did you have

-to do?

-..and we were like, "Excuse me, we're in a rehearsal."

-He, like, messed ours up.

-And then we was like...

-Ballet!

Did the judges say anything?

-They didn't say anything.

-Were they smiling?

-They were like,

"Well, we think you've done a great job. You may now leave."

They said how we handled it really well...

The acting challenge is over and all the finalists can do now is wait

as the judges face their most difficult task so far.

From six, they must choose four.

Helping them to make up their mind is Lamar and choreographer Amy,

but ultimately, it's down to our judges to make the final decision.

-So, crunch time.

-Yeah.

-How are you feeling?

-It's tough because in the first session

I had real front runners, but as we've gone into the next challenge,

it's really flipped itself on its head,

so my mind is a little bit in no-man's land at the moment.

Who out of that line-up is worthy of a place?

It's really hard because I don't think anyone did a bad job.

The boys were excellent at the hip-hop style.

The girls were really shining in the freestyle.

For me personally, if I was going to choose,

it would probably be him.

I would do this, I think.

Guys, thank you so much for all your input.

I don't know whether you've made it easier for us or harder for us.

Yes! Thanks for all your help, it's been amazing.

-Thanks so much.

-You're welcome.

OK.

They've got to say goodbye to two people right now.

I don't know how they're going to do this.

I would not want to be in their shoes.

I just keep thinking this person keeps growing

and every time they come on to the dance floor

or take up another challenge I go,

"Wow! I didn't know you could do that."

Seeing how these two bounced off and how she related so much,

that really made me think, "Oh, OK."

-I'm terrified.

-No, no, you were so good.

I'm just really nervous cos I don't know if my dance went too well

or my acting, but I did try and give all that I possibly could.

If I'm honest with myself, those top three I'm happy with.

I think I'll be really upset if I have to leave

because I've come so far and it would be such a shame.

Would this person be able to cope with that workload and that...?

And if we're totally honest, it would be a no.

-So, is it between these two, then?

-I believe so.

If I stay I'll be ecstatic because, you know, everyone's so amazing

and if I was able to be one of the people

that goes through to the next round, it would be so amazing.

I can't judge this person and this person together.

Based on the acting?

I can't judge them because it's completely different.

Do I think that this person should move forward? Yes, I do.

Kim, how do you feel about this?

-At least we all had fun.

-It could be anyone.

It does feel right.

It breaks my heart into pieces,

but this line-up does say The Next Step to me.

-Me too.

-OK.

Let's break the news.

I'm nervous.

Our dancers will be called to face the judges in pairs.

Oh, it's scary, man.

Who will secure a place in the next round?

I feel sick.

First to find out their fate, it's Kyrese and Harriet.

So, it's been an incredible day for you guys.

It's been an incredible day for us

to really see what you guys can give us.

The first task, I expected more from you, Kyrese.

Choreography-wise, you held it together,

but being a strong dancer, which I know you are

from what you've shown us, you should have had it a bit more down.

-But you did really bring it back during your freestyle.

-Thank you.

I was really surprised from you cos actually drawing your freestyle,

I didn't get that good sense,

that good ownership of quality of movement that you normally had.

But the choreography, you actually held quite together

-and I was impressed, really, really impressed.

-Thank you.

Now, for the second challenge, it was a bit muddled.

I could see the character you was going for

and I wasn't quite convinced.

And where I really believe you shone.

We've decided...

..that you're both through to the next round. Well done.

Congratulations, guys!

Go celebrate!

Yes? Yey! Well done!

-Come on over. How are you feeling, guys?

-So good.

-Good.

Yeah?

A delighted Kyrese and Harriet are one step closer

to that Next Step guest role prize.

But who will join them in the next round?

Erin and Joe or Julia and Khalid?

Hey, guys.

It's been quite a day, hasn't it?

It's been tough for us too.

Both of you really took on the challenges,

both of you have such a story that you bring to your dance.

Joe, top of the day, you absolutely smashed it.

You had all that personality, all that swag, loads of charisma...

..and then it came to the improv challenge...

..and it all went away.

Both of you in the improv was unbelievable

and the authenticity was very real.

Erin, choreographically, we had high hopes for you today

and in that first challenge,

I think you'll be the first to admit it didn't go your way.

You made mistakes, but then on the improv challenge, you really shone

and you really surprised us.

When it came to the choreography challenge,

it was a bit hit-and-miss.

I think both of you had a bit of difficulty picking up the routine

and performing it.

It was honestly the toughest deliberation we have had to make

and I have EVER had to make.

Now, we've made a decision...

..and that decision is...

..that you will not...be going home

and you are going through to the next round!

SCREAMS AND LAUGHTER

Unfortunately, you won't be going through to the next round,

but we thank you so much for all of your hard work

and all of the amazing passion that you bring to dance

and this won't be your last day of dance, this is just the beginning.

-You're both stars in our eyes...

-Really well done, guys.

-..you really are.

-You should be very proud of yourselves.

It's time for Julia and Khalid to bow out of the contest.

You are definitely part of the Next Step family.

But for both of them, it's been a life-changing experience.

-Hi!

-JUDGES:

-Hi!

-How are you?

I'm great, thank you.

When I sent my video in,

I just never expected anything would come of it.

I didn't even think I'd make it to nationals, let alone Canada,

so I wouldn't change anything. This is perfect.

Girl, you brought me to tears!

What you have is something special.

It means everything that I came on this.

I've taken everything in my own stride

and I've grown as a person so much and this is not a knock.

This no is a yes in my head.

I think that I've learnt to be stronger

and I've pushed myself to my limits, so I'm a better dancer as well.

The other finalists are all amazing dancers

and I just wish them all the best of luck.

Big hug, come on, well done.

# Let's do it, do it

# Do it, do it. #

..four must become three.

The stakes are really high today.

They must act...

You're not listening to me,

so I'm not going to listen to you.

I'm not doing this any more,

-I'm done.

-Yes, you are.

Get back here.

-..and dance.

-There it is.

-Wow!

-Careful! Careful!

So, who will be taking

the next step?

It's OK.

# Stand up! #