Get This Party Started The Next Step

My name is Kate, and I became the owner of the Next Step Dance Studio

because my mom was the previous owner.

I mean, I grew up at the studio. It's my one true passion.

'I am head choreographer here.'

That means that I teach the kids all their competition routines,

'and I pretty much oversee all the administrative work.'

-Maybe we'll make it to nationals this year.

-OK, hold your horses.

-Let's focus on regionals first, OK?

-OK, regionals, regionals, regionals.

'It takes blood, sweat and tears to win regionals,'

and I know we have the ability and I know our kids are talented enough,

and I know they want to win as well.

-Are you ready?

-Let's do it.

All right. Let's do it.

The Next Step Dance Studio is a highly competitive dance studio.

-Miss Emily.

-'So a lot of the elite dancers come here'

and we're pretty well known for how amazing we are.

Get focused, OK?

This is serious stuff. A-Troupe auditions.

# Well, hey, you What do you say?

# I've been thinking 'bout you since yesterday

# Well, who, me? Yes, you

# Feel like an animal when I'm looking at you... #

There's J-Troupe, which is like Junior Troupe.

And we have B-Troupe, which is more of the recreational kids.

And basically the highest level in the Next Step is A-Troupe.

I want to dance in A-troupe because it's the only team

that gets to compete at regionals.

It gets you the most exposure. I don't want to dance with B-Troupe.

At those big competitions there are scouts from all over the world,

so being in A-Troupe means that you're going to be seen

and, if you're going to be seen,

you're going to get a career in dance.

As I'm getting ready to audition and I'm warming up,

I'm really nervous.

I worked really hard in B-Troupe last year

and I know that A-Troupe is where I belong.

So, if I don't make it, I'll be crushed.

'A lot of people from B-Troupe come to audition to get into A-Troupe.

'But also the people that were in A-Troupe last year'

have to audition again, almost fighting for their spot, like myself.

Kate makes us re-audition every year.

"No spot is guaranteed." But this will be my third year in it,

and my second year as dance captain, hopefully,

so it's no secret. I'm going to be on A-Troupe again.

Dolphin tail!

THEY ALL SQUEAK

That, dancers, is the first dolphin tail of the year. Congratulations!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

'The dolphin tail is this cool thing that I do.'

All you have to do is take your right hand,

-sneaks up just like that.

-HE SQUEAKS

'And you get everyone's attention.'

So let's begin auditions for A-Troupe.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

# We

# We are going to show the world

# Everything we're made of

# We're going to tear the roof off this place

# Stand up!

There's only ten spots open in A-Troupe

just because at most competitions you need ten dancers.

I am super nervous because

you just never know.

One year you can be in A-Troupe and the next you can be demoted.

THEY CHATTER

The E-Girls are an elite group

that I started when I got into A-Troupe two years ago.

I love being part of the E-Girls.

It's one of the perks of being in A-Troupe.

You're part of a family.

Everyone wants to be us and it's a great feeling.

-I'm so nervous.

-I'm so excited.

The E-Girls got our name simply because all our names end in "E".

Like Emily, Stephanie, Riley, Tiffany and then Giselle.

Giselle doesn't really match everyone else,

that's why she calls me Ellie.

Everyone thinks that it's named the E-Girls

because our names all end in the "E" sounds.

But actually it's called the E-Girls cos my name starts with an E,

so they're the Emily Girls.

All right, dancers, let's do this!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Group One, I have Daniel, West, Emily and Stephanie.

-Good luck, girl.

-Good luck!

Get it, guys. We got this.

OK, Daniel, you're first.

MUSIC PLAYS

He's totally going to make it.

I started dancing when I was seven years old.

That was kind of hard for me

because everyone had started dancing at the Next Step

three or four years before me,

but it's given me a really strong work ethic

because I've had to work so hard to catch up to them.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

If I don't make it into A-Troupe,

I think that would end my dance career

because what chance is there of me becoming a professional dancer

if I can't even make it into A-Troupe?

Stephanie.

-Yeah, Steph!

-Woo!

GIRLS SHOUT ENCOURAGEMENT

I dance because I love it,

and it's just become such a huge part of my life

that I really can't picture myself doing anything else.

He's really good.

My dance background, I was a part of this street dance crew.

And then last year I auditioned for B-Troupe

So now this year, I'm auditioning for A,

and I want to take my dancing to the ultimate level.

Emily!

Go, Emily!

Go, Emily!

Whoo!

I've been here since I was two.

I did the ballet here. I've done J-Troupe, B-Troupe and A-Troupe.

Whoa!

Her flexibly is insane.

My best friend, Stephanie, goes here, my sister goes here. It's my life.

Let's go on, Group Two. We have Beth, Riley, Charlie and Chloe.

-Good job.

-Good luck, good luck.

Riley, can I just get in here?

-What, no, stop.

-Do you want it to fall out when you dance?

'Riley is my baby sister.'

So I am pretty protective of Riley.

I got into dance because of her. She was my inspiration.

Sometimes she can be a little overprotective

but, at the end of the day, I love her to death

and, you know, she always has my back.

Beautiful.

She's my sister. I just love her.

Beth, you're up first.

When Beth messes up in the audition, I'm thinking,

"She's not A-Troupe material."

-That's going to cost her.

-Yeah.

-'This is a very competitive group.'

'We go to regionals and we go up against amazing studios'

who have not one dancer messing up, so, like, you can't have that.

Five, six, seven, Riley.

Whoo!

Go, Riley!

I'm a little nervous auditioning for A-Troupe

because, at any point, my spot can be taken by somebody else.

Hey.

Hi.

'My relationship with Emily is pretty simple.'

I really like her. She really doesn't like me.

-So, er, I was wondering, like, do you want to go to, like...?

-No.

Eldon has a crush on me for probably over five years.

I mean, I get it, but come on.

Now can you leave me alone, please?

Certainly.

I come into the studio, "Hey, Emily! You want to go out?"

That kid has to stop asking Emily out.

I leave the studio, "Hey, Emily! You want to go out?"

He's a cling. Stage Five.

I know there is something magical between me and Emily.

It's just going to take some time for her to realise it.

And that's OK. That's what love is all about.

-Yeah, Chloe!

-Go, Chloe!

Whoo!

I started dancing at the Next Step when I was six,

and I've been there ever since.

Yeah, Chloe!

I've always wanted to be part of the E-Girls.

You know, Emily, Stephanie, Riley, Tiffany and Ellie

kind of took me under their wing.

She is killing it!

But I can't be officially part of the E-Girls

until I make it into A-Troupe.

Whoo!

-He's good!

-Wow!

Yeah!

Tiffany!

SHOUTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

I dance because it's my way of just being me.

I like to be that diva, sassy girl,

and this is my chance to be Beyonce on stage pretty much.

THEY CHEER

Unlike last year, we plan on winning regionals this year,

so we're going to make sure that

we have a super, super strong group of A-Troupe dancers.

That's it!

Yeah!

Very good, guys.

OK, final group.

We have James, Eldon and Giselle.

APPLAUSE

Um, the auditions are in here, right?

'Normally at the studio we only allow A and B-Troupe students

-'to audition for A-Troupe.'

-Who is that?

'It's an honoured position. You have to earn it.'

That's why we don't let randoms walk in from the street and audition.

Er, everyone take five.

-Hi.

-Hi, I'm Michelle.

-Kate.

-Nice to meet you.

-Does anyone know who that is?

-I've never seen her before.

'I hope she's not thinking she's going to audition.'

She doesn't look like she's a good dancer anyway, so...

(might as well leave.)

-Let's have a discussion in the office.

-Awesome. OK.

I don't know who this new girl thinks she is,

but I have my A-Troupe planned out

and she's not come here and ruin it for me.

So you just moved here?

Yes, I actually just moved here from Madison, Wisconsin.

My dad got transferred.

I've been dancing my whole life, since I was three.

I dance because I love it.

Dance is everything I want to do.

It's what I dream about. It's what I think about day and night.

Being on stage and performing for people is just such a great feeling.

It's like you get to share a gift with them,

and it's just truly wonderful.

Do you want me to go check it out?

I'm Emily's best friend,

and if there's anyone in the studio that threatens Emily,

it's my job to protect her.

I've got this one.

I feel it's important to check out the new girl

because I like to know what's going on all the time.

-Hey.

-Hi, Emily how are you?

-I'm well, how are you?

-Good.

-Hi, I'm Emily. I'm the dance captain.

-Nice to meet you, I'm Michelle.

-I was actually dance captain at my old studio.

-Oh, really?

She was a dance captain? How nice for her(!)

-That's wonderful.

-She is auditioning for A-Troupe today.

Oh, A-Troupe. That's fun.

She seems like such a sweet girl

and I'm really excited to be on the same team with her.

So you better get changed and then we'll get started.

-I'll see you out there.

-Yep.

-Bye.

-Bye.

-Good luck, Michelle.

-Thank you.

'I'm not happy that's Michelle's auditioning for A-Troupe

'because that's just not how the studio works.

-'You have to earn your way into A-Troupe.'

-What's going on?

So I don't see why the rules are changing for this random girl.

-Dance captain?

-Wow, I'm really looking forward to what she can do.

Let her audition, she'll probably just make a fool out of herself.

-Exactly.

-Yeah, honestly, I need a good laugh.

Would Michelle fit in at the Next Step studio?

Yeah, if she was in B-Troupe.

So we're going to go back to Group Four, this time with Michelle.

So, again, that's James, Eldon, Giselle and Michelle,

who is from Wisconsin, and she is auditioning for A-Troupe.

I'm so nervous. I mean, I don't know anyone in this room

and I don't know what's going to happen.

James, you're up.

Whoo!

Making it into A-Troupe is a big deal

just cos I'm fighting for my spot.

If got kicked down to B, I'd be pretty upset with myself

but it's not going to happen.

'I dance just because I love it.

'I've always loved to move.'

He's always trying to show off to the girls,

trying to get their attention, and I'm not falling for it.

Riley would never look at a guy like that, ever, right? No.

Come on.

Eldon!

I dance because the better dancer I become

the more respect Emily will have for me,

and I'm going to be a really, really good dancer.

All right, Eldon!

Giselle!

Come on!

I started dancing from the age of five.

I went to my first dance class and I instantly fell in love with it.

All the other kids couldn't stop moving

and I was like, "We're the same," and I just felt at home.

A-Troupe literally means the world to me.

I don't even know what I do if I didn't get in.

This new girl is going to be so embarrassed.

Michelle!

Whoo! Yes! Come on, Michelle!

I don't know who this Michelle girl is but she's amazing.

I pretty much had to take back all the words I said when she walked in.

Unbelievable!

Guys.

Everyone!

Yeah!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Amazing!

Yeah, she's good, but she doesn't compare to Emily.

Look at her dance. It's all...

"Look at me, look at me, look at my hair..."

Michelle!

Wow!

Amazing job, guys.

That was just...unbelievable.

'I'm really nervous and anxious.'

There were so many great dancers in the audition

and I don't know if I'm going to be good enough

to make it into A-Troupe.

So, Chris and I are going to go, talk about your auditions,

and we'll be back with a decision in a few minutes.

All right, guys.

'In my books, there would be no way Michelle would get in

'with THAT audition - but, honestly, you never know'

with Kate and Chris. We'll have to wait and see.

-Hi.

-Hi.

-I'm Daniel.

-Daniel.

-Michelle?

-Yeah.

-I'm James.

-James.

Your solo was unreal!

-You're so good!

-Thank you. Your flip off the wall made me go crazy.

Thanks!

I swear I've seen her face before, but I can't place it.

LAUGHTER

Guys, guys, ssh.

I have some news.

She's Miss National Soloist.

SHE GASPS

-No, she's not!

-Miss National...

Ssh! She's right there.

That could mean a lot for us, and that could bring us to

the next level that we need to get to win regionals and nationals.

"I feel like I've seen her on a poster for a competition."

Did you win something?

Um...

Yeah, maybe.

I don't really want anyone knowing that I'm Miss National Soloist,

because, like, I don't want them to treat me differently.

This means nothing to us except that she's a diva.

-Are you crazy?

-Do we want a diva on our team?

Guess not.

I didn't think so.

'I have mixed feelings on Emily now.

'I mean, at first she seemed like such a sweet girl,'

but she just gave me a really nasty look

and I'm not really sure what's going on.

Our girls did amazing.

Awesome. Everyone did amazing. Yeah.

The juice bar is our regular hang-out.

It's convenient because it's close to the dance studio.

It's actually in the same building, just below.

-Oh, Chloe...

-Chloe's going to make it.

-May be a new E-Girl on the horizon.

-Maybe.

'The best part about Squeezed is just the social aspect.

'I mean, you go there to hang out with friends'

and to get in on all the good gossip.

James...

Guys, Kate and Chris are about to put up the list

for who made it into A-Troupe. Come on.

I am so nervous, yet so excited.

I just can't wait to see who's made it to A-Troupe.

I more or less just want to make sure all my E-Girls are on it,

and then get started.

Then to win regionals and then go on to nationals.

All right, dancers! Excuse me.

You guys were phenomenal. You were amazing.

I could tell you put so much energy, effort and discipline into that.

Remember, if you don't make it this year, there's always next year.

Ready? Congratulations once again.

'It's a little sad cos I had some dancers

'that I wanted to make it to A-Troupe but I think'

this is the selection that's going to take us to regionals.

It was a really tough decision. We had to cut some great dancers

that we're really enjoyed working with in the past.

One thing I do know is that Emily's going to be very upset

with the decision.

Coming up on The Next Step...

We actually have a shot at regionals this year.

I'm taking you down. You better be ready!

Elite Dance Academy is our main competition.

I'm interested in joining your studio.

Nice costumes, guys(!) Is your grandma missing her curtains?

Chuck Anderson alongside Stacey Tookey.

Stacey, this is like the grandaddy of all dance competitions.

It's not always about you, Em! I was doing it for the team!

Now Emily AND me lost a friend, and so did you.

You lost two.

Emily has taken this way too far.

I'm just not going to take it any more.

You know what, if you going to come up against us,

we're going to show you what A-Troupe is all about.

It all comes down to this one moment.