Tuesday, August 31, 2010

So you think you can dance

I honestly don’t get the intentions for this show. Firstly, the standard has dropped immensely this year, and what’s up with “well known artist” being featured in the show. Last year was Thabiso Ledika from African Footprint and now its Lulu Mlangeni, whose been around in the dance industry. Mlangeni was even nominated for this year’s MEC Dance Award, including other nominations from the 2010 Dance Umbrella.


I think the show should have a change of name as it does not represent honesty in its meaning with, So you “think” you can dance…Most of those people don’t “think”…they are professional dancers.

America has the same thing but, it’s usually people from “unknown” dance studios who are trying to make it in the industry.

Anyways, I then shared my views with my mentor, Adrienne Sichel and she mentioned that, if the show really had dancers that “think” they can dance…it would be boring(viewership concerns ), and she also added that, some South African artist take part so as to boost themselves during “dry” seasons in the industry.

I get all of that but, I then asked if that’s the case, who will give opportunity(s) to those dancers in Soweto, who rehearse in the garage, with classes offered by some retired dancer (thinking of Sylvia Glasser). If renowned dancers take all the opportunities, where will we discover new talent? If that’s the case, how will the dance theatre industry grow and how will we as writers reach a broad and holistic readership with the same tedious, selfish and monotonous dancers who keep rotating themselves in the industry without any alteration?



What kind of dancers should So you think you can dance target?

6 comments:

  1. yep i agree the quality has gone down what gets to me this being the second city should the judges not be wiser on the talent they let through... i dont think they should target a specific genre of dance they should be more stricter on the talent.

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  2. I get what you mean but, what about the name of the show...So you "think" you can dance. Don't you think its then supposed to be targeted for less privellaged people, who don't have access to studios and things like that...

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  3. oh okay i see what you are saying but i think or them to do that they would have to go to the less privellaged areas, i think they should hold auditions in those areas at the same time keep the current target, i just dont think the quality issue will be adressed.

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  4. Ok...wait...what quality are talking about? Audio Visual or talent?

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  5. To answer your question on who should be targeted; I think the show is (rightly so) targeting those who THINK they can dance. The fact that you have access to dance studios or know celebrity dancers does not necessarily mean you know how to dance, and therefore should not be allowed on the show.

    Also, I think we should also acknowledge that, even though one may have access to dance studios, one might still need and want to get exposure or a chance through which one will reach a stage of knowing how to dance.

    Yes, those kids from Soweto need to be given such opportunities as well, but remember that at the end of the day, the show is about business. So, if the Soweto kids aren't going to make money for the show, then tough luck to them.

    P.S: The show should get rid of that black adjudicator. His comments are of an individual who knows nothing about dance. Consequently, I struggle to believe he has some experience.

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  6. That is very true D.
    But, you must remember that someone has to speak for those kids in Soweto....I understand the business side of the show, but what about the new talent that has to be discovered? Isn't that our "goal" as people in the arts? To grow the industry.

    And i don't see any growth if we keep seeing the same people on stage and on TV, over and over-

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