What is dance? Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the term
as: “to move your body in a way that goes with the rhythm and style of music
that is being played” and “to engage in or perform a dance.”
None of their definitions give the thought that it is a very
judgmental activity, though our society often adds that element. With a love
for reality TV, stardom, and having a say through voting for contestants, there
are shows where individuals can compete in nearly any activity. “Dancing With
the Stars,” “So You Think You Can Dance” and the like function based on the
premise that they have experts telling emerging talent whether or not they are
good.
SYTYCD has been on the air since 2005 and ended its most
recent season as the top-rated show on television. After auditions and being
accepted onto the show, contestants compete in choreographed numbers in four
typical genres of dance: classical (including contemporary and lyrical), street
(hip-hop and related styles), ballroom, and musical theatre. Some American
social dances and regional traditional dances are featured less often.
In these scenarios, competitors often are assigned certain
styles of dance to attempt to master and perform, in order to gain the votes
necessary to stay in the competition and seek out the prize awaiting the
winner. One curious social phenomenon is the issue of who is perceived as a
“good dancer” – certain forms of dance are often associated with ethnicities as
having formed them and being better, but that is not always reflected in media
presentation.
