Step It Up and Dance is an American reality television competition series where contestants are supposed to "learn what it takes to make it big in the cutthroat dance industry". Actress and dancer Elizabeth Berkley serves as host, and director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell mentors the 12 dancers chosen from around the country as they learn a variety of dance styles. Director and choreographer Vincent Paterson and choreographer Nancy O'Meara serve as judges for the competition. The show premiered on April 3, 2008 on Bravo.
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It's time to get to know each other – and what better way to do that than partying it up in a Los Angeles nightclub? In the premiere episode of "Step it Up & Dance," the 12 contestants move into their LA loft and meet host, Elizabeth Berkley and their mentor, Jerry Mitchell. The competition begins when famed choreographer Jamie King (who has choreographed for Madonna, Ricky Martin, Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion, and the Spice Girls) breaks the dancers up into two teams and informs them that they have one night to learn the Spice Girl's "Spice Up Your Life" dance routine. After a late night of rehearsing, the dancers audition for the judges, including surprise guest judge and Spice Girl, Scary Spice/Mel B. One dancer will be declared the winner and one dancer will be eliminated.
The dancers will learn all about overcoming their fears and discovering their sexuality in this second episode of "Step It Up & Dance." After watching the legendary burlesque performer, Cati Jean and her dance troupe L'effleur Des Sens, the dancers must pair up and perform a choreographed "Apache Tango," a highly dramatic, erotic and aggressive dance associated with Parisian street culture. Cati Jean is joined by the famous Carolina Cerisola from 40 Deuce, and the two serve as guest judges. This first performance however, just serves as the initial "audition." Jean and Cerisola break the pairs into two teams – one team will dance for the "call back" and a chance to perform with L'effleur Des Sens; the other will be dancing to stay in the competition. Each of the teams will have to dance in "Apache" style as a group in front of a live audience. One dancer will be declared the winner, and another dancer will take their final bow.
When it comes to competition, it's all about outdoing your opponent and in the third episode of "Step It Up & Dance," the dancers will be put to the test. Dave Scott, the man behind the box office hits "You Got Served," "Stomp the Yard" and most recently "Step Up 2 The Streets," will be on the scene to judge the dancers as they battle each other with their best freestyle and breaking moves. Scott will also bring a few of his friends along for the ride, including the star of "Step Up 2," actor Rob Hoffman. The battle will be intense, but in the end one dancer will win and another will be sent packing.
Every dancer needs rhythm, and in the fourth episode of "Step It Up & Dance" we find out who stands out and who falls flat. The contestants are caught off guard with a surprise performance by Luke Cresswell and his crew from "Stomp Out Loud." Cresswell breaks up the remaining 10 dancers into the "call back" team and the "elimination" team. Each group will have to choreograph their own performance that incorporates both "Stomp" and traditional dance moves. One dancer will be declared the winner and another will be sent home.
Dancing is not just about moving to the music, the most successful performers know how to truly become a character. For the fifth episode of "Step It Up & Dance," the contestants will show off their acting skills for television star and Tony Award-winning actor, Jason Alexander ("Seinfeld"). Alexander, who is the director of the musical theater company Reprise, is producing "Damn Yankees," and for the fifth challenge of the season, the dancers will have to learn choreography from the Broadway classic. Both Alexander and famed choreographer Lee Martino serve as the guest judges. One dancer will be declared the winner and offered an opportunity to dance with Alexander's Reprise; another dancer will be eliminated.
Commitment, Creativity and Confidence – these are the three C's that every dancer should live by. In the sixth episode of "Step It Up & Dance," Jacques Heim, founder of renowned modern dance company Diavolo and choreographer of Cirque de Soleil's "KA," teaches the remaining seven dancers the art of movement and storytelling. The dancers must create a routine that conveys a concept, uses props, and incorporates modern dance moves. Heim joins the judges on the panel and declares one dancer the winner and sends another dancer home.
It's all about passion in the seventh episode of "Step It Up & Dance." The dancers meet the "Latin chameleon," Jordi Caballero, a legendary Latin Dancer who has worked Madonna and Jennifer Lopez. Caballero pairs up the remaining six dancers and teaches them a combination of Salsa, Flamenco and Tango. Passion erupts when a twist is revealed that changes the makeup of the competition. One dancer will be declared the winner and another will be sent packing.
The eighth episode of "Step It Up & Dance" is all about standing out. The dancers meet with world-renowned choreographer Tina Landon. Tina has worked with the biggest stars in the industry including influential work with Janet Jackson, Ricky Martin, Britney Spears, Tina Turner and Shakira, and most recently choreographed Rhianna's award-winning music video "Umbrella." The remaining five dancers must work together on this challenge and create their own version of the video. Although they are working as a team, only one dancer will be chosen the winner and one dancer will have to take their final bow.
It's an emotional final step to the finale as the dancers learn and perform judge Vincent Paterson's choreography to Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror".
The final four get to perform their solo pieces and a winner is finally chosen!
