 "Photo: Photo courtesy of Isabella Vosmikova/NBC Universal")
With plenty of dance competition shows such as Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" and MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew" on the rise, it seems people just can't get enough of the popular art form.
"Step It Up & Dance," a new dance competition reality series created by NBC Universal that premieres on Bravo this Thursday, is another show to enter the scene.
The show takes on 12 of the most talented men and women dancers from around the country.
They will participate in weekly challenges that force them to understand what it takes to make it in the dance industry by learning new styles of choreography with the top innovators in dance.
After several weeks of intense eliminations from prominent choreographers and judges Vincent Paterson (Michael Jackson's "Bad Tour") and Nancy O'Meara ("Hannah Montana"), along with weekly guest judges, one finalist will prevail and win $100,000 and the chance to become the ultimate dancer.
Like her former "Saved by the Bell" co-star Mario Lopez (host of "America's Best Dance Crew"), Elizabeth Berkley serves as the fresh-faced host of the anticipated Bravo series.
Berkley has flourished in attaining screen time in commended films such as "Roger Dodger" and has most recently returned to the small screen with a recurring role in "CSI: Miami."
She has also had extensive training in ballet, tap and jazz since the age of 4, participating in the Broadway production of "Sly Fox" and many others.
Her passion for dance has led her to perform with principles from the impressive American Ballet Theatre and The New York City Ballet.
Jerry Mitchell, director and choreographer of the Tony Award-nominated musical "Legally Blonde," plays mentor to the contestants on "Step It Up & Dance."
Mitchell has also choreographed Broadway's "Hairspray," received a Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for his composition in "La Cage Aux Folles."
Berkley praised Mitchell by saying that "he gives the dancers permission by his support, to go there so that they bring out their best." in their challenges week in and week out.
"If dancers want to work with me, they have to be well-rounded. I was so psyched about this show because the challenges actually will require them to step outside of their comfort zone as a dancer," Mitchell said.
It doesn't come as a surprise that the key to success in the dance industry is versatility.
"Step It Up & Dance" will take dancers into a new world each week, from burlesque to Broadway.
"They will get a chance to do things that they probably never would have been asked to do before. And that's going to be interesting to watch how that evolves," Mitchell said.
The show is different from its predecessors such as "So You Think You Can Dance," as it brings in the producers and style from the much-loved "Project Runway."
"What's exciting about that format that works so well is you really get involved with the dancers' personal lives because you see them at their apartment as well as together," Berkley said.
Does it sound like it might have a little "Project Runway" behind-the-scenes drama? Perhaps.
"It's really about the artistry. These are true artists that are expressing themselves creatively," Berkley said. "It's about working hard, going after your dreams, and I think it's going to be a great reminder for people of what it really, really takes."
These extremely competitive reality shows bring out the contestants' true abilities.
The show features special guest judges such as a certain Spice Girl or guest choreographers from "Cirque du Soleil" and "Stomp." These choreographers will test the limits of these dancers.
And these days, dance is becoming more and more popular with its high exposure from TV.
"Dance is infectious," Mitchell said. "Dance is like a bird flying for most people. It's something everyone wants to do, but very few can."
"Step It Up & Dance" seems like the perfect solution to see just how these dancers will measure up to their talent.
- "Step It Up & Dance" premieres this Thursday at 11 p.m. on Bravo.
