Posts Tagged ‘alumni news’
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Season 4 Finalist Thayne Jasperson Stars in OZ the Musical
Season 4 contestant Thayne Jasperson is currently playing the role of Scarecrow in Oz the Musical. The musical is a contemporary musical twist on L. Frank Baum’s classic, “The Wonderful Wizard of OZ.”
After his run on So You Think You Can Dance, Thayne got to tour around the country with the Season 4 Top 10. Thayne is no stranger to theater, as he has eight regional theater credits, four film credits, and five years of experience as a principal dancer with Odyssey Dance Theatre.
The remaining OZ the Musical tour dates are as follows:
12/10: The Kentucky Center in Louisville, KY
12/11: Braden Auditorium in Bloomington, IL
12/12: The Olympic Theatre in Chicago, IL
12/13: Miller Auditorium in Kalamazoo, MIBreak a leg, Thayne!
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Season 3 Finalist Lauren Gottlieb Appears on Glee & Talks about SYTYCD
So You Think You Can Dance Season 3 finalist Lauren Gottlieb was front and center during a production of Duffy’s “Mercy” on Fox’s new hit show, Glee. Lauren played a member of the Vocal Adrenaline glee club who performed intricate, back-bending choreography on last Wednesday’s episode. Glee airs immediately following So You Think You Can Dance on Wednesday nights.
Recently, we caught up with Lauren and spoke with her at Season 6 auditions, where she was assisting Mia Michaels.
How did you get involved with assisting Mia Michaels and Tyce Diorio?
Lauren: I’ve been helping Tyce on So You Think You Can Dance for a bit now, but Vegas week was my first time assisting Mia with choreography. I wanted a challenge and I wanted to work with someone tough, and Mia is tough, challenging, and amazing.
Did you meet with the choreographers ahead of time to learn the choreography?
Lauren: We actually met up the night before because we didn’t have time, and we came up with the routines together.
What have you been up to recently, in terms of dance?
Lauren: I performed with Sean Kingston at Fox’s Teen Choice Awards, I was on a Spanish AT&T commercial, I hosted an event for Gatorade, and even worked on Jennifer Love Hewitt’s Ghost Whisperer.
In your opinion, what does it take to make the Top 20?
Lauren: It’s so hard. Looking back now, I see what I should and shouldn’t have done as an 18 year old on the show. It’s all about personality. The dancers need to be themselves. Being subtle doesn’t work. You have to be all out, all the time. It’s very demanding!
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So You Think You Can Dance Performers in Emmys® Telecast
On the 61st Primetime Emmy® Awards live telecast, So You Think You Can Dance choreographers Tabitha and Napoleon D’umo choreographed a routine that showcased reality TV show dance and included some SYTYCD alumni. Season 4’s Joshua Allen, Katee Shean, and Mark Kanemura, and Season 3’s Hok Konishi and Dominic Sandoval danced on the Nokia Theater stage.
Last week, So You Think You Can Dance took home two Creative Arts Emmy® Awards. Tyce Diorio won the Outstanding Choreography trophy for his “Adam and Eve/Silence” piece. Costume designer Soyon An won a Juried Primetime Emmy® Award for her costume designs.
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Familiar Faces on the Video Music Awards
Did you catch some familiar faces on television while watching Sunday’s Video Music Awards? The awards show included a tribute to Michael Jackson, during which Janet Jackson took the stage to perform. Her back-up dancers included So You Think You Can Dance choreographers Tyce Diorio, Wade Robson, Laurieann Gibson, and Dave Scott.
When recording artist Lady Gaga took the stage she was joined by So You Think You Can Dance Season 4 finalist Mark Kanemura. In addition to being one of Lady Gaga’s back-up dancers, he also got to perform a little solo with her.
Nice moves, Tyce, Wade, Laurieann, Dave, and Mark!
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William Wingfield,Season 4 Finalist, Makes his Broadway Debut
So You Think You Can Dance Season 4 finalist William Wingfield makes his Broadway debut beginning August 26 in the musical In the Heights at Richard Rodgers Theater. Will is taking over the role of Graffiti Pete, a break-dancing street artist.
In the Heights tells the universal story of a vibrant community in Manhattan’s Washington Heights district. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind. In the Heights is the winner of four 2008 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Choreography. Andy Blankenbuehler is the show’s choreographer.
Dancing since the age of 9, Will trained under Debbie Allen before he was on So You Think You Can Dance. He also sang and dance in Celine Dion’s show, “A New Day.” Most recently, Will returned to the So You Think You Can Dance stage during a Season 5 results show to perform “Adam and Eve” with his Season 4 partner, Jessica King. William and Jessica’s performance of “Adam and Eve” during a Season 4 performance show earned Tyce Diorio an Emmy nomination for choreography.
Break a leg, Will!
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