Here’s the news you all have been waiting for. Or Not. The rumors have been confirmed officially. So You Think You Can Dance will return this summer in a “Jr.” edition. The official title is So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation.
All we need now is an announcement that future jailbird, and Dance Moms creator Abby Lee Miller will sit on the panel as a guest judge. Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul and Jason Derulo are returning to the judges panel.
I do not want to watch children compete on SYTYCD. It would be one thing if a junior version was a separate thing. But it is so disappointing the FOX summer dance competition will not be introducing brand new ADULT dance stars to TV viewers. One sliver of good news. The All-Stars will be returning. I wonder how they feel abut working with kidlets and even more troubling. Their momagers. Ugh.
Auditions begin at the end of February. A kid’s edition was probably the only way FOX would agree to bring back the low rated show. SYTYCD was logging fractional numbers in the ratings demo last summer.
Check out the details below.
FOX has renewed the Emmy Award-winning So You Think You Can Dance for a 13th season that will feature a younger generation of dancers. This season, dancers between the ages of 8-13, who are skilled in various dance styles, such as contemporary, tap, hip-hop, ballroom, animation or breaking, will be paired up with All-Stars to compete for the title of America’s Favorite Dancer. Premiering Monday, May 30 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX, the new season of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE: THE NEXT GENERATION will feature returning host Cat Deeley and returning judges Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul and Jason Derulo.
During nationwide auditions, which begin next month in three cities, including Los Angeles (Saturday, Feb. 27), Chicago (Friday, March 11) and New York (Friday, March 18), the most talented next generation of dancers will compete in front of the judges for a place at “The Academy,” where only the best of the best will be selected for the next round of competition. At the end of the round, the Top 10 dancers will be partnered permanently with a SYTYCD All-Star. The competition then moves on to the SYTYCD studio, where the top youngsters will compete each week in a variety of styles, working and performing alongside their All-Stars with world-renowned choreographers. One young contestant will go home each week until a winner is named on the season finale.
This season, So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation has an online registration audition option which begins today and ends Tuesday, March 1. All potential contestants are encouraged to have their parent or guardian sign up at the online audition portal at sytycdauditions.com and upload a video or provide a link to a video of the contestant’s performance. If selected, producers will reach out to schedule the contestant for a pre-arranged time slot in one of the three audition cities. Visit sytycdauditions.com for terms and conditions.
“We are so happy to bring back the award-winning So You Think You Can Dance for a 13th season this summer with a brand-new format,” said David Madden, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “The series has captivated its loyal fan base for over a decade, inspiring young dancers across the country and transforming the face of dance in every medium – and we’re so excited to feature a young and talented new group of performers on the series.”
“Through the Dizzy Feet Foundation, I’ve had the great privilege of working with incredible young talent who will eventually shape the future of dance in this country,” said co-creator and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe. “By evolving the SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE format this season, we can showcase the very best junior dancers out there and open up the world of dance to a whole new generation.”
Young contenders will have a shot at showing the judges they have what it takes to be America’s Favorite Dancer, when auditions start on Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. Please check fox.com/dance for official rules and additional details.
