The Importance Of Participating In A Dance Reality Show

Dance reality shows are more than just entertainment for trained and untrained dancers. Whether or not you participate in a dance reality show, they have a significant impact on a young dancer’s career.

My first reaction after watching an episode of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, AMERICA was WOW, finally somebody took the initiative to present a dancer’s struggle on television. Doesn’t sound very optimistic, isn’t it? But it is a fact that sooner or later a dancer will realise the truth about the dance profession. In fact, most people know that the dance community is financially unstable. 

Dance reality shows have made a significant contribution to changing people’s perspectives. SYTYCD was just the beginning, and soon, looking at the audience’s interest, shows like DANCING WITH THE STARS, DANCE +, WORLD OF DANCE, WORLD OF DANCE, DANCE MOMS, GOT TO DANCE , etc also lined up. India also picked up the trend, and very soon, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, INDIA, happened. This was followed by other dance reality shows like DANCE DEEWANE, JHALAK DIKHHLA JAA, NACH BALIYE, INDIA’S BEST DANCER, and DANCE INDIA DANCE, which became huge hits. 

With a flood of opportunities for dancers, it appeared that there was no shortage of talented dancers all over the world. Most dancers are from financially poor backgrounds. In fact, I have never seen a wealthy person passionate about dancing. I am not sure why. 

Does participating in a dance reality show contribute anything to a dancer’s career? 

Even though many students and friends often told me to participate in a dance reality show, I never felt the need for it. It was because I was happy with my freelance dance career and getting regular opportunities for performing and teaching. Dancing is an unstable profession with no fixed position, but it also gives a trained dancer the ability to create an independent plan for themselves. However, looking at the careers of my dance friends, I mention here the importance of participating in a dance reality show.

Connecting with celebrity dance teachers and choreographers

Before internet, Facebook, and dance reality shows, dancers had a hard time finding opportunities. The options dancers had earlier were: formal or casual training, winning local dance competitions, getting a national or international certification, scholarships at a prestigious dance school, auditions for any independent dance performance at a bar, hotel, cruise, etc.

Though these opportunities still exist, with dance reality shows, anyone can audition and connect with celebrity dance teachers and choreographers. It is the shortest path to fame because if you are selected for the TV round, then whether or not you are in the top 20, you will feature on television. People will get to know you and contact you for work. 

Popularity and landing a professional gig

Glamour is another attraction for dancers to audition for dance reality shows. Giving an audition for a dance reality show is in itself a great experience, whether you get selected or not. For dancers who, for financial reasons, never get formal training, giving auditions for as many dance reality shows as possible is a wonderful learning opportunity. It helps dancers understand the minor details that may be lacking in their dancing. They can practise and get better. Judges of dance reality shows have lots of experience, and by highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of a dancer, they indirectly mentor them. 

There is a set format for all dance reality shows that is slightly different from other shows. They may be taking dancers of a certain age group, kids, only couples, or groups. There have been a few instances when the judges liked the dancer but could not select them because of the strict guidelines of the show. But if the dancer is really good, they invite them to join their dance group or school for more training. This becomes a good opportunity for dancers to land a professional gig. 

Being calm under pressure

From the auditions until the performance on stage, the dance competition is nerve-wracking. Coming on television is a big deal because it allows the audience to learn about the dancer’s strengths as well as the dancer’s background. There is so much at stake for a dancer in a dance reality show. This forces a dancer to maintain their nerves as calmly as possible. There is no room to panic, though mistakes are unavoidable on stage. Perfection is what dancers aim for, and discipline of body and mind is therefore necessary to win the competition. 

Dancers are not made of steel. They are as vulnerable and can be introverted as people in any other profession. There was an Indian dancer who, when interviewed, seemed very shy, as she replied mostly with “yes” or “no.” But when the music played and she was performing, she suddenly transformed into this badass girl with sexy moves. Sometimes the strongest person is the most insecure, and the opposite is also true. With family and friends watching the performance on television, the dancer’s character is always judged. Maybe it is this cliched judgement that makes dancers strong and fuels their passion even more to prove society wrong. With the expert choreographer’s mentorship throughout the dance reality show, dancers learn how to manage anxiety or panic offstage and onstage. 

Getting into the habit of learning faster and efficiently

A dance reality show telecasts only for about two months, excluding auditions. Therefore, dancers get only a few days to learn the dance style and choreography and perform them perfectly on stage. In India, the dance reality shows are telecast on weekends, which means the dancers have less than a week for rehearsals. Learning from an experienced choreographer, a dancer has to learn every move along with using stage props efficiently. Choreographers can now use advanced technology to create unique stage setups, and dancers must adapt to them as quickly as possible. The dancer knows that the performance has to be flawless in order to win the competition. 

One of the most important lessons for a dancer is to learn every dance step faster. It does not matter if it is a dance style that they have never even heard of; the ultimate goal is to win over the judges and the audience. The dancers have surprised not just the judges, but most of all themselves, by learning something that takes years to perfect. 

Global representation for all races, genders, and body types

One of the most amazing things about dance reality shows is that they allow dancers of every race, gender, and body type to perform. There are strict rules for the selection of ballet dancers for an academy. And many dancers do not get opportunities because of their body type or even race. I have faced racial bias in my dance academy indirectly, when I wasn’t selected for a commercial advertisement because the company was looking for talented but fair dancers. The colour of the skin was not mentioned, but it was obvious they were looking for certain types of dancers. That didn’t stop me from dancing or achieving more than the academy offered. 

However, in a dance reality show where the performance is viewed by audiences all over the world, the expert judges are aware of this bias and give everyone an equal opportunity. In a dance reality show for mothers, there were dancers whose husbands and families supported them in dance training even after marriage and kids. 

The importance of social media

Once you are seen in a dance reality show, people start recognising you. It is a big achievement to be able to perform for television. The dancers are given free lodging and food in a hotel during their participation in the dance reality show. They interact with other talented dancers and learn about their journeys. While learning, rehearsing, and performing from experts, the dancers post photos and videos on their social media accounts. Instantly, their followers increase, and their dance videos are circulated in various online dance groups and accounts. It becomes a visual resume for the dancer to get opportunities after the dance reality show ends. The dancers build networks with other popular dancers and choreographers. Some open their dance schools; others are selected for national or international performances. Others who like to teach and choreograph, like me, become part of independent art projects. 

Conclusion

Participating in a dance reality show opens new doors of opportunity for trained and untrained dancers. From auditions to stage performances in front of television cameras, learning is continuous. For the audience, dance reality shows are another form of entertainment in which they get to see some amazing dancers and then forget about them, change the channel, and watch other dancers. But for dancers, it is the first step towards becoming professionals with discipline and gaining respect for themselves.