When I sit down to watch So You Think You Can Dance the last thing that goes through my mind is what the dancers had to go through to learn the dances for that evening. As an audience, we get the opportunity to sit back, relax and watch the performance that others have worked so hard to make happen, then we get to critique it. The last thing that crosses my mind is the amount of hours, sweat and tears that go into making a masterpiece for our enjoyment, not to mention the lack of sleep and demanding expectations.
Several times it has been aired that dancers on the show had to go to the hospital for dehydration, sprained ankles or broken toes. These committed dancers are willingly subjecting themselves to injury for not only their careers, but also for the love of performing and entertainment. Not only are they getting injured in the process, but they are being paired up with another dancer, usually with a completely different background and have to learn SYTYCD routines they have never done, nonetheless ever heard of before. So as an audience, I think we should keep in mind the personal sacrifice they are going through and that they are pushing themselves farther than we could probably push ourselves when we watch their performances and start to evaluate their work.
In addition to the countless hours of practice and lack of sleep, imagine hanging out with the same people day in and day out. I imagine that could get quite annoying and frustrating, especially when you tie the stress factor into it.
Once the show has it’s finale the show isn’t over yet. For several months, the top 10 dancers from the show are chauffeured around the country for a tour. Hmm, hotel rooms, cramped cars, constantly eating take-out and training and learning new dances to fill in for absentees, that’s a lot of work. Reflecting on all the drama and injuries the dancers go through, I am more appreciative of their work and valiant effort to improving their abilities. And to think when they get kicked off the show they say, “This has been the best part of my life”. That is someone who really loves their job and what they do!
Tags: benji schwimmer, lacey schwimmer, so you think you can dance, so you think you can dance routines, so you think you can dance video, sytycd, sytycd routines