Panthers prove they can dance

Mariah Spears, a junior dance major, placed in the top 16 competitors on "So You Think You Can Dance" during its 10th season.

Photo courtesy FOX.

Mariah Spears takes huge gulps of air as she looks into the camera after dancing her heart out, realizing that millions of home viewers were watching her every move.

Spears, a junior, continues to study dance despite competing on the Emmy award-winning television show “So You Think You Can Dance” during its 10th season. 

The cycle that Spears appeared in ran from May 14 to Sept. 10, 2013. Spears competed against 19 dancers for a cash prize of $250,000 and the title of “America’s Favorite Dancer.” She placed in the top 16.

“I started dancing when I was two,” Spears said. “I don’t think I could do anything else with my life because nothing has ever made me happier than to dance.”

Casey Askew ‘17 is touring with the top 10 finalists from Season 11. Chapman students Stephen “tWitch” Boss, Katee Shean and Ade Obayomi also competed on the show. 

Based in Los Angeles, “So You Think You Can Dance” on FOX brings dancers from all over the country to audition for the chance to perform in front of celebrity judges including the show’s executive producer, Nigel Lythgoe, choreographer, Mary Murphy and host, Cat Deeley. The top 20 dancers from the audition process move on to the live competition show, where one man and one woman are eliminated from the competition each week. The show features many different dance styles such as ballroom, classical, contemporary, hip-hop and jazz.

When Spears turned 18, she set out to audition for “So You Think You Can Dance.”

Although she did not make it to the top 20 her first time around, Spears said it only motivated her more when she tried again her first year as a Chapman student. 

Junior dance major Alex Kessinger said she was placed in the room across from Spears in Pralle-Sodaro Hall her freshman year. A mutual friend insisted they meet and they ended up auditioning for “So You Think You Can Dance” together. 

Alex Kessinger, a junior dance major, made it past auditions and all the way to the "Green Mile" but was sent home before the competition went on to being a live show.

Photo courtesy FOX.

“It’s the most nerve-wracking experience. I’ve never felt so out of my body and so nauseous ever in my life,” Kessinger said. “You’re talking to the best dancers of their time or the most famous movie starts out there.”

But with Spears by her side, Kessinger said that she had all the support she needed.

“I couldn’t ask for a better person to go through with,” Kessinger said. “We’re both best friends and we’re both so supportive of each other, no matter what happens.”

After making it all the way to the Green Mile, the last cut before the finalists go on to the live show, the women had to part ways as Spears moved forward and Kessinger was sent home.

“When she went further than I did and she actually got onto the show, I was not shocked at all. That girl is amazing,” Kessinger said. “It was almost like I made the show because I was so excited for her.”

Spears said making it to the next round was a dream come true. 

“It was like a dream I had when I was 10 years old that actually became a reality,” Spears said.

Junior dance major Andrea Dobbins has been friends with both girls since they met in ballet class on the first day of their freshman year.

“Mariah is the most versatile dancer I have ever met in this crazy dance life,” Dobbins wrote in an email. “She can switch from being a technical contemporary dancer to a fierce and hard-hitting hip-hop dancer.”

Not only are all of these girls best friends, they’re also roommates.

“To be honest, it worried me rooming with these girls who have so many fans, recognition and exposure,” Dobbins wrote. “The only reason why I know this will never affect our relationship is because they’re the most humble people I’ve ever met.”

After watching both girls go through the audition process on television, Dobbins said that she isn’t sure if she would audition for the show herself.

“I think my family and friends would love to see me on the show but timing is everything and I’m truly happy with where I’m at in Chapman’s dance department,” Dobbins wrote.

Spears said that she had a lot of support throughout the competition, especially from her family. They drove to Los Angeles every week from her hometown in Arizona to watch her perform.

“I would see them every Tuesday night for an hour while my mom was frantically voting on the phone while we were at dinner,” Spears said. “They’re the cutest.”

When her biological family couldn’t be there, Spears said the “So You Think You Can Dance” community became a second home to her.

“Once you become part of the family, you never leave,” Spears said. “They all reach out to you, they’re there for you … I still have the people that I can go back to and talk to.”

Spears said the judges were genuine and kind, although they may not come across that way on the show. 

“Mary is not as crazy as she seems; she doesn’t scream as much,” Spears said. “They’re all great and incredibly nice.”

The head of the dance department, Nancy Dickson-Lewis, wrote in an email that the department has never encouraged students to participate in the show because of the contractual obligations that come with being in the top 10, which would force them to leave school.

“We would rather have them finish school and have their degree because they will still be very young when they graduate and will have plenty of time to build their careers,” Dickson-Lewis wrote.

Although they do not encourage it, the department still supports the students who do choose to audition.

“If they make the top 20 we wish them well, vote for them, are proud of them and know that this may be the end of their formal education, which kind of makes us sad,” Dickson-Lewis wrote.

Dickson-Lewis is pleased that both women have returned to campus in order to complete their degrees.

“I don’t think I would audition again,” Kessinger said. “I loved the experience and I loved how much I was able to grow as a dancer but I think now that I’ve had that experience … I’m going to come back and just focus on my education.”

These ladies will have a much stronger foundation for building their careers with everything they learn in Chapman’s dance program, according to Dickson-Lewis.

“Both Mariah and Alex are very special young women … great personalities, charismatic performers and powerful dancers,” Dickson-Lewis wrote. “But like all dancers, they have their technical strengths and weaknesses.”

Being eliminated from the competition hasn’t phased Kessinger’s passion for dance. 

“When I’m dancing, I feel like I’m in a whole other world and I can connect with other things or other people and other emotions,” Kessinger said.

Spears said that being on “So You Think You Can Dance” made her realize how much of an impact she can have on people. She often has younger girls share their own love for dance with her.

“I’m their reason that they’re still dancing or I’m the reason that they’re now trying hip-hop,” Spears said. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do … is affect someone’s life in a positive way.”

Photo courtesy Pixabay.