1 Audition

Day 1 of the audition, Thursday, 21 Feb. Atlas Performing Arts Centre (Center, to be more correct, but my spell check is like me, an Aussie) in Washington, D.C. I knew I was in for a long queue for the audition. Still remember few years ago when I was standing in line when Planet Hollywood was to open in Sydney, the applicants went around the block like crazy and after hours of waiting, you only get like 3 min to see some recruiting agent who knows nothing about what goes on in the kitchen (15 at that time, looking for apprentice job, who was I kidding) . They never called back; their loss not mine.

However, back to SYTYCD. They issued me a number: 12508.

For the audition, I was thinking how can I stand out without putting people off with the music selection. Joe Satriani is close to heart and not too out there and somehow I get the feeling that Rock/Metal theme will work for me.

The judges wasn’t too sure about me. Dan thought that I am a bit too rough around the edges. Mary and Nygel both think the character is there, but uncertain about my techniques. However, they asked me to stay for the choreography. Fair enough.

Choreography was not too bad, even though I was not excellent, hopefully that will get me to Vegas, but it is just not something to be too confident about. After few seconds of suspense that feels like few centuries, I got my ticket, together with the guy in the line up. ppphew.

Now, my experience in Capoeira should help me through the hip hop moves; and the training from NIDA should be enough for contemporary stuff. SDCo has also equipped me well. Working with FroceMajeure was fantastic too. Boardroom? guess I will just have to learn and improvise.

Gotta get training before Vegas. First, gotta build up upper body, Second, gotta get to know the techniques of ballroom and other unfamiliar styles. Asked this guy who also is going to Vegas, he suggested a few places. To train around here can save me time on travelling and all that, so the plan is to find a job around town and just do my training nearby and fly to Vegas from here.

Not hard to get a kitchen hand job for just a few months, however accommodation here for backpackers is a rare find. The landlord showed me the joint, it is like the room where Don Coleone was quarantined. Shared kitchen, not the time to be picky or to complain, at least it is not communal shower.

2 Vegas Week

So, here we are 3667 Las Vegas Blvd South Las Vegas, NV. a.k.a. Planet Hollywood [resort & casino] – (the restaurant is another place), 12 years on, some memory of rejection starting to emerge ,cant be a good thing. (Planet Hollywood in Sydney now is called by another name)

As, we are gathered outside the Theatre for the Performing Arts, Cat through a megaphone says; “Are you ready?”

Doing it all for the camera, we shout: “YEAH!!!!” Gotta psyche myself up, and at the same time not to lose my cool. The psyching up approach is good for adrenaline, but I have to remember the need to calm down every now and then, gotta reflect, refresh and recharge as I progress. Yes, I am calculative.

Over 200 of the best dancers from all over the US meet in Las Vegas for the biggest, most competitive competition ever! So they told us. Nevertheless, overwhelming indeed.

** Day 1 **

hip-hop routine with Napoleon and Tabitha D’umo, nice ppl.

You all heard Tabitha, it is SYTYCD, it is not going to be easy. 1 hr to learn the routine? Not only that, all other things happen in the speed of light on this overcrowded stage. The important thing is to download the routine into my head so I got something to work with on my own.

Routine isn’t long but neither is the time we got. basically, later you are on, more time you got to practice. Unfair? no one ever said it is going to be fair either.

Before the selection started, we got called to sit down and an announcement was made. Rob what?? That is just insane. This guy Mark was on my right looking on feeling kind of uncomfortable. Well, guess that is part of Rob’s artistry. This B-boy Gev was just cheering his head off from behind.

I seriously think this is for the TV. But hey, everything here is for the TV show. If they just want to do auditions for dancers, they didnt need the camera crew. Rob was fffffantastic. He either has more joints or he has some plastic elastic bones. I am sure this is not the last time we see him tho. Again, I am just being calculative.

We are placed in group of 10 to take the stage. We did our thing and the judge did theirs. Some of us are happy with what the judges said as only some of the judges are happy with what we did.

I am just glad I am still here. The intensity will only increase, gotta find my chill spot and clear my head. It really sux when you are sent home without even being settled in the hotel, you come with your bags and you left without opening them.

Here we are, allocated into Planet Hollywood Resort. Sharing the room with me is Pete from L.A. We didn’t talk much, I pretty much just dumped my bags and grab a few things: wallet, iPod and camera then took off. The cameras are just everywhere.

I am in a good mood to take a walk and get some outdoor breathe. Vegas is an interesting place. You have the Strip, and the outskirts. It is just like the movies, only bigger when you step onto the pavement and suck it all in for all its worth. That was a great wind down, taking photos, watching others sucking in Vegas and at the same time contributing to its qi. I can just hit the bed and collapse. Hope I can get to swim before breakfast.