By Sandrine Milet
If there's one thing I learned from the second night of auditions on "So You Think You Can Dance" on Wednesday night (June 2), it's that dancers now have to be capable of doing back flips. In both Los Angeles and Chicago, contestant after contestant proved that the auditions were more about athleticism and less about raw talent and performance ability. The judges spent most of the show marveling over all types of gymnastic abilities and tricks.
The first girl in L.A., a cheerleader, did more tumbling, high kicks, and sexy poses than actual dancing (aside from a beautiful assisted arabesque), yet she was praised for her routine and playfulness. The second contestant was actually a rhythmic gymnast with only two weeks of dance training, and her performance mostly focused on her flexibility and strength. Her transitions at times looked awkward, but she — like the cheerleader before her — was sent straight to Vegas, skipping the choreography round. It looks like throwing in a couple of back flips and fancy leaps can do the trick, and other contestants throughout the night followed in their footsteps.
But another important trend that's worth mentioning (and that host Kat Deeley continuously drove home) was the absence of talented men. In L.A., those California girls stole the spotlight with their "hottest talent" and thus took most of the Vegas tickets, leaving the men in the shadows. The women were even the ones who brought in some tap contestants, which we all know are hard to find now. In the Windy City, a couple of men did have their moments of glory (including contemporary dancers Adrian Lee and Jarrod Mayo), but again the majority went to the women.
With a night that had fewer ridiculous (but at times most memorable) contestants than usual, the show ended with an inspirational audition from Jarrell Robinson, a dancer who has been deaf since a young age. It was incredible to see his musicality and the way he interprets beats from feeling the bass of the music, but unfortunately the judges felt he needed more training. His story was motivating, and though we won't be seeing any more of him, it definitely left me wanting more. Now only Nashville and Dallas remain in the audition rounds, and from there, it's straight to business in Las Vegas!
What do you think of dancers becoming more athletic? Are the women going to be stronger this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!