Milwaukee Auditions Thankfully the Last of SYTYCD

Thankfully, this is the last of the audition shows. While the auditioning process is interesting and a part of the charm, these episodes could be condensed. Some time is spent showing auditions that didn't make it into the previous few episodes. Quite a few were sent straight to Vegas: Michael Kim, Katee Shean, Natalie Reid and Janette Manrara.

Training Pays Off

It's always fascinating to see dancers return from auditioning in previous seasons. Michael, for example, tried out in season 2, but didn't make it past the Vegas portion. Nigel and Mary are duly impressed by his updated training and work ethic.

Sometimes, it's difficult to understand exactly what Nigel and Mary are looking for. They go through a very subjective process that includes their professional assessment of the dance movement. Their subjective process includes assessment of presentation and personality. This makes a relative amount of sense when the main body of the show is considered.

Dancers from all forms are brought in and trained over a short period of time in specific dance forms. They are assessed not only on the choreography, but their presentation, personality and skill. Talent in one area of dance is not always reflected in another, how they determine which of the dancers will be able to undergo the training process is a mystery.

For example, look at Romulo Villaverde and Janette Manrara who auditioned as a pair. They did a salsa dance that was rough at best. They flubbed their lift and the overall effect wasn't sexy or unique. It was sloppy. Strangely enough, the judges loved Janette, but not Romulo. Granted, they waited until after the choreography phase (when it's every dancer for themselves), but the sloppy footwork in the pair dancing wasn't Romulo's alone. Why her and not him? Well, only Nigel and Mary know the answer to that.

Milwaukee Auditions

Sure the location has changed, but the auditions are cringe worthy. For some reason, the producers love folding in bits with dancers who are terrifically bad or terrifically rude. This is a major turn off in the series. The glamor, fun and spark that occurs during the competition of the top 20 is severely lacking in this portion. The most amusing part is when a dancer is sent home and he threatens to try out again the following year.

That threat only holds water when the dancer is as bad or as ridiculous as some of the crew that was cut. Thankfully, the auditions are over and the show heads to Vegas on Thursday. One could only wish they'd got there a week ago.