So You Think You Can Dance: New Orleans Auditions
For the first time, “So You Think You Can Dance” held New Orleans auditions. Nigel was getting his honorary degree, so Adam Shankman and Lil C joined Mary at the judges table.
It was steamy hot outside and Shelby “Skip” Skipper got the judges all hot and bothered with his New Orleans Bounce steps. Mary loved it, Adam said he had been doing the Bounce for years (Mary made a snide comment about Adam doing the New Orleans Bounce last night) and called the performance unbelievable. Lil C pointed out how the show introduces new styles to the world. Skip got a “buck” and a ticket to Vegas.
Jonathan Litzler combined ballet and calisthenics to make Mary go “Woo!” Adam said it was one of the best auditions he had ever seen. He loved the strength and control Jonathan had. Lil C called it a perfect blend that looked effortless. Of course, he was sent to Vegas.
Also wowing the judges and getting tickets to Vegas were Alison Nance, Calvin Turner, Jr., and Edward Spots.
Eric Le Blanc had six energy drinks and was all over the place – literally! He had the judges rolling within seconds, but Mary wouldn’t put him on the hot tamale train. They agreed that he was fun and had lots of energy. While Adam said no to choreography, both Mary and Lil C sent him through.
New Orleans was smokin’ this week as dancer after dancer just kept getting a ticket to Vegas. Then, Justin Kenney showed up. He survived a bad car crash, but it didn’t seem to affect his dancing much. He was incredible, just flying around the stage and did that one-handed handstand for about 10 minutes! Mary said he was really strong and Lil C loved his air flares. Adam said he rocked it, especially for a guy of his height. They sent him through to choreography.
Eric’s energy finally wore down, so he was sent home to drink more Red Bull. Lil C did tell him it was a great effort. Lil C told Justin they were taking a huge gamble on him and sending him through to Vegas.
Day 2 brought theater arts ballroom dancer Kimberly Piedad to the stage. Her partner wasn’t competing, but their lifts got applause from the audience and a “oh wow” from Adam. Mary loved it as did Lil C and Adam. But, Adam wondered what she was like on her own. Adam wanted to see her in choreography with another partner, but Mary and Lil C sent her right through to Vegas.
Micah Mixon grew up poor and went through a rebellious phase. Dancing eventually saved him. Mary said he had some pretty good moves, but he had never had any formal training. Adam said it felt fresh, even though they had seen it before. The judges said yes to choreography. Lil C told him just the fact that he was standing there was a sign of victory over his struggles.
The judges wished Nigel had been there to play the bad guy when dancers like Lloyd Ballard, Tierney St. John, and Casey Crisosto showed up. Mary gave the crowd her list of rules such as no reaching out to nothing and no self worship. What was hilarious was seeing Adam act out everything!
Jakob Karr was phenomenal according to Lil C and he was given a ticket to Vegas. Diana Drexler lost her grandfather the day before her audition, but she still had a great performance. The judges knew what she was going through, but Adam said you never could have told from her dancing. She was put through to choreography and got a ticket to Vegas. Micah found himself a little over his head and was told he wouldn’t be going through to Vegas, but Lil C told him to keep dancing.
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