Casting, Cameras and Celebrations - Behind the Scenes of Dance Life w/ Jade Barnes

Well, hello, friends, it's Beck here and I am so excited about this episode where I actually got to interview the executive producer of Dance Life. It's so epic. But before we go through to it, I wanted to let you guys know some super exciting news, which is that Dance Life cast members as well as the executive producer Jade, are actually coming to Dance Teacher Expo, which is going to be so awesome. We can't wait to see you all there. And I know you guys are going to love this episode. Hello, friends, I'm Amanda Barr. And I'm Rebecca Lou Brennan. And welcome to Dance Principles United, the podcast. Together, we are passionate about helping studio owners with the business of running their studio. Join us as we talk everything from marketing systems, studio culture, motherhood, life, and everything in between. This is the Dance Principles United podcast. Well, hello, friends, it is Bec here. I am so pumped to be here with the amazing Jade Barnes. Now, you guys have probably heard of her in the dance world before, but you may or may not know that she's actually the executive producer of Dance Life, which is now streaming on Prime Video. How are you, Jade?

I'm very well. It's been a roller coaster month since we've launched, but I'm excited and it's been really great. Number one thing, the dance industry has supported the show so much and nothing made me happier than that.

Well, I know my students are obsessed with it. Bibi and I watched it literally the day it came out. Actually, we were at nationals, I think when it came out and she was making me download it onto the laptop.

Oh, really?

I'm not joking. And we were watching it at 11pm at night. That's how obsessive she was with the lead up and all the things. But like, what an amazing achievement. It is just such a great show.

Thanks, Bec. Thank you so much. And I love hearing everyone binged it in one day. I gotta say, all of the dance community, they were straight on it. Our numbers went through the roof in Australia on launch. I don't think they were expecting that, but as we know, Dance Community gets behind things, so really, they should have been ready.

Yeah, absolutely. No, it's so amazing. So I guess the first question I wanted to ask you was like, what made you think of it? What a brilliant idea. How incredible. You're such an ideas girl. I've known you for a long time and you are amazing at that. But what made you actually think of this and how did it all come about?

I think you're maybe one of the first people that's asked me this Beck. So this will be one of the first times I've really told this story. It's a few layers together. The first one is definitely the docu series Cheer. I don't know if anyone watched that, but I was obsessed with it and I absolutely loved it. The second thing was my friend from the TV industry because I have worked a lot in TV over the last 10 years. He had just won some documentary awards and he was posting it on social media. It's funny how you always think sometimes you feel a bit weird to post about yourself on social media, but it was actually the reason that I reconnected with him, because I'd watched Cheer and he had literally just won a documentary award. And then the third thing was for all of the people that love Rent and Jonathan Larson, the amazing movie called Tick, Tick Boom. I was watching it at home during COVID And in this story, they say to be successful as a writer or, you know, if you're going to make a musical or a TV show, you got to. You got to write what you know or you got to do what you know. And I'm thinking, well, this is what I know. I've lived the dance life my whole life. I've, you know, I pretty much know everyone in the industry and I did have to call in a lot of favors to let them put a camera in their faces, I'll tell you that as well. But, yeah, those three things kind of came together. I went and saw the director and I said, if you ever want to do anything about dance, I'm the person you need. You need to come see me. And then we just brainstormed some ideas. And then before you knew it, I was knocking on Brain Street's door saying, what do you think about this crazy idea?

Oh, my gosh, I love it. I love it. And. And what was the reaction to that, like, someone coming in? Because, like, you be. I know it didn't anywhere near have anything like dance mums or the connotations that have gone with that, but you would be scared of that as a studio owner, I. Or like, as a director or whatever, you'd be scared that it's going to have that feel to it, which we don't want, obviously, in the industry. And you've done such a great job of it doing the exact opposite. But, yeah, I'd love to know what your reaction of that was.

Okay, very interesting. Well, yes, as a studio owner myself for 17 years, I think I would not have liked the cameras in the room at Certain times there's definitely things that you can look back on and think, oh, thank goodness the world wasn't watching me do that. It's a massive decision to allow cameras into your studio. And this is a docu series, not reality. So it isn't scripted, it isn't manufactured. Whatever happened, we were going to follow it. So Lucas was very brave. He has been asked 10 times before to make this TV show and he's always said no. We have a mutual bestie, Louise Telford, who runs Light the Way and she was a very big part at the start of bringing Lucas and I together and forming that trust. Lucas also knew that I had no interest in portraying a bad side of the dance industry. I don't think I would be able to show my face in a step it ever again. I, I just wasn't interested in it. I don't think the industry needs it and I actually don't think it is what the dance world is. So I, I was, I did assure Lucas from the start that the overall message would be positive. However, we are going to have to show some drama. We are going to have to show some things that have stakes. We're going to have to show grading some things that are uncomfortable for people. Otherwise we actually don't have a show. It's not exciting enough. My director was always saying, what are the stakes? What are the stakes for these performers now for dancers? The stakes are built in because so many of us want to do it and so few can actually achieve it. So. So it was not like we had to make up any stakes. It's the real world we're all living in that we're teaching so many kids that want this dream and love this art. But the reality is a small percentage will get to do it professionally in the end. So that actually very much interested me as well. Why is everybody going to full time dance if they already know the stakes? So that was a question that I was trying to look at as we were filming as well.

And what's. Did you get an answer to that? Because I think, okay, yeah, what's the answer? Like, it's so true though. We have so many of our kids. Like, I know I look at my seniors now, Jade, and if I went to my senior class of 30 and said, how many of you want to become professional dancers? More than half would put their hand up. And we know that not more than half are going to get there. It's obvious. But they are just so passionate about all the things at that age. And it seems like the normal stepping stones. So yeah, what is the answer?

Okay, well, I think I was very privileged to be inside with these dancers for a year and get a better understanding of it, to be honest. I will say the idea of making it, that's what we're kind of looking at. And everyone kept asking me, what is making it in the dance industry. I guess when I'm saying the stakes are small, I'm not saying getting one contract or, you know, getting one a few gigs and being in the industry for a year and then moving on to something else. I'm saying people that make this their life for, you know, 10 years, that's what I think the stakes are smaller of. I think there's much bigger opportunity now for many kids that go to full time to experience something when they finish. But when we're talking about, you know, five out of 90 might really make it, I'm saying the people that are going to be here in 10 years time. So that's, that's what I was defining as the dance kind of making it. But I think what I realized, and perhaps I was a little bit harsh as a judge about this before I watched it for a year, is when you really get to know teenagers who are 18 on this level, that I got to know them on the camera, you realize that if they can have a year just to dance, that is the biggest privilege you could ever give your child. So making it for a lot of them was making it through through the year. There were, they'd come in with mental health, they'd come in with different issues they were going through coming of age things that, you know, they were doing in front of the cameras, but also just in their life. And for many parents that I spoke to said, hey, we're just happy that they're going somewhere every day turning up being disciplined, being healthy, and how beautiful to get to dance for a year of your life. I mean, we all spend the rest of our time in pretty boring 9 to 5 things many people do. So if you can afford it and you go with that open kind of view to how wonderful to have this year, I'm a big believer in that. After watching what I did in cameras, I don't know if I was definitely as supportive of that before I was in there. I definitely had my eyes open to it and how important this safe space is that we have created, which I know all of your dance teachers are creating that in suburbs everywhere all over Australia and beyond. We all know about the safe space we have. We know about the community Maybe I didn't realize they just the benefit of that for that extra year when you finish school and you're kind of lost. So that's what my eyes were probably really open to.

I love that. And I've never thought about it that way until you just said it then either, ever. Like, I would never think about it. No, I wouldn't think about it that way. I just think like you go there to.

Are you gonna make it? Yeah, that's it. Yeah.

Are you gonna make it? That's it. So I absolutely love that. It's definitely even changed my opinion, I have to say. So it's very. There you go. Very interesting. Now tell me, tell me a bit about these kids because their stories were incredible. I have to say, Emily probably touched me the most. Like, I just.

And she's from your area bec. As well.

I. Yes, I did. I did realize that when I was watching it. And what a. Yeah. She was just so inspiring. Right.

I could talk so long about Emily, this dancer. I think she's probably one of the most inspiring people I've met in the last 10 years. I. I didn't. You don't expect someone younger than you to give so much back to you. I actually feel like I'm going to get emotional saying that. Back we went on a zoom. Lucas allowed us to go on a zoom before we started filming. And we asked everyone to send a five minute video introducing themselves and if they had any story to tell. Because as soon as you are in there and the dance action's happening and there's 90 kids in front of you, it's pretty hard to know where to point the camera. You have to narrow in on a certain group of kids because if you try and learn too many of them learn like too many of their stories, you'll end up knowing none of them. So we had to do this zoom exercise and all of the videos came in and Emily's came in at 55 minutes. At first, my dance teacher reaction to that is read the brief. Supposed to be five minutes. That's not good. But then when we pressed play and Emily started saying, I'm going to tell you my story. And I've never told anybody this before. Well, that is an audition start if you've ever heard of one. We listened to the whole 55 minutes. She told us the whole entire thing without even meeting us. And the thing that my director said about Emily is that she doesn't speak with a fake filter. She just speaks as it's happening to her. So the Audience in the show is seeing the class through Emily's eyes and Emily's heart a lot of the time, and she. She doesn't have the ability to put a fake face on, so she was perfect for what we. For we were doing. Sometimes when we were micing her, we would even hear a bit of self talk. Come on, Emily. Come on, Emily. We would hear her, like, gearing herself up. So what an inspiring kid. To be honest, her story has even moved on further in good and bad ways since we finished filming. So you'll. That's. I can't give away any spoilers in case we do season two, but Emily is. You would think that the person that's had the hardest time in their childhood would have the hardest time at full time, but she was the one that turned up every day on time. I don't think she ever missed a day. She always knows her choreography. She's ready to put herself forward for anything. So what, like, you can't ask for more than that? And I'm actually blown away by the amount of, I guess, reaction that's been to Emily. If you're saying as well, Beck, that's the first name that comes to you. Emily has received hundreds and hundreds of messages from teens across the world. After watching her story, I wasn't actually prepared for that to happen. I don't know if Emily was either, to be honest.

Wow.

And, yeah, it's pretty crazy that this many teens are reaching out to her. Number one. But also just saying, you are giving me hope to go back to dance class. I want to go back to dancing. After watching you, you make me see that I don't have to be a certain type of dancer to achieve what I want to do. And she's answered every single one of those messages, I've got to tell you as well. So, yeah. And I heard just last week, a really exciting choreography project came in for Emily. So I'm so happy that the show has opened up opportunities for her. But, yeah, definitely, Emily has been. I don't have words of what impact she's made just on me, on everyone in the cast, and also the dance community and just teens who weren't even dancing who are inspired by her.

That's incredible. And, like, have the cast found it hard to deal with that sudden fame, do you think, or do you think, like, Emily's.

No, because I think they love it back because they're performers they love. As Stephen Tanis would say, we're all here for the attention. He always says, look at how I'M dressed, you know, I'm not. I'm not here to not be noticed. And I think they love it. Arabella, who is just the biggest personality ever that popped into our lives. She will talk. She has been photographed everywhere in Sydney and will talk to anyone and just loves it. Max Osler could not get out of Kmart the other day because a whole group of teenage girls just swamped him. So we had to leave his shopping and get out. I don't know what he was doing in Kmart, but, yeah, all of these things. And the most exciting for them, I think, is when they get sent the products, you know, to do their little influencer makeup and everything. They're loving that and they're loving TikTok influences from all over the world, shouting them out and messaging them. So, no, I don't think that they have had trouble handling it, but also, they were received very well. So I don't. It might be different if the show didn't have a positive message or, you know, if any. They say there's no villain on our show. The villain is actually the stress of what's in the dance world. It's not one of the kids. So maybe that's why, you know, the attention they've received has been very positive.

Yeah, it's so cleverly put together like that, I think. And it's. It actually shows each of them in the absolute best light possible, which is, like, really commendable to you, because that would have been hard to do in itself, really. What about the parents? Like, there was a lot of, like, going to kids houses talking to parents like that. Like, that's a pretty big invasion, letting someone into your house, right?

Well, yeah, I think when everyone has commented that the access this show has is beyond what anyone would think anyone would allow, but dancers are open people, and they are, like, welcome to my life. So, you know, the. The production team, Amazon, they kept thinking, cassie's letting you into her bridal fitting. Are you serious? Like, every part of their life, they were open to. We. I will say that we spent a lot of time with Emily's nan and pop before we started filming, and I asked them if it was okay if they were okay with Emily sharing her story. And they said, it's Emily's story to tell, but we did spend. We did spend time with them first, so they felt very comfortable. Obviously, I'm from the dance world, so I think there was a bit of trust in the families. A lot of them had heard of my studio or had heard of me, so There was a bit of trust there. Lucas, of course, also assured everyone he would not be letting people in that he didn't trust as well with the stories. But, yeah, the parents, some of them are great on the camera as well. I've got to say, Tiana's mum and dad gave us some great moments when they were teasing her about not being able to find a boyfriend. She was dying when she saw that come, when she saw the first edit of that. So, yeah, the parents did a great job of getting involved. And nothing is better than watching parents and grandparents in the audience of a grad or a concert. So to have the cameras on Emily's nan's face and Max Simmons's mum standing ovation, like, you just feel what we're all doing. Why that bit that we love at our concerts, to have cameras watching the parents and the teachers, that was one of my favorite parts.

I love that. I love that. I think we forget that because we're backstage and all the craziness and you actually forget that, you know, that means so much to families.

Yeah, we probably haven't seen it up close ever. I never watched a concert myself from the audience. I was always backstage. I don't think I could have. I'd be too nervous. So I'd never seen people. There's a moment when Emily is performing It Light the Way and Lucas just wipes away a tear when it's her part. And, you know, I'm sure Emily would never think that Lucas would be doing that in the audience, but for everyone to kind of see how everyone's feeling from behind the stage in the audience, you know, I think what a great opportunity.

Yeah, absolutely. And you had some amazing industry professionals teaching these kids, obviously. How were they with the whole thing? I'm lucky enough to have Jacob Yar at my studio, actually.

You are very lucky then.

Oh, man. He's just such an energy and such a vibe. But I felt like the teachers were so inspiring as well on the screen, which was amazing. But, like, tell me a bit about them. How did they feel about it all?

Well, I think Cassie is the best New age, like the best teacher of this generation I've ever seen. I'll just go out on a limb and say that she. Her mum was a dance studio owner, so she was born. Maybe this will be BB as well for you, Beck. She was born in the studio and she spent a lot of her time there. And they almost know how to teach, I think, just from being around you. Yep. So she has that kind of old school teaching style, but with the cool new choreography that all of the kids want to do. So I think she's the perfect balance for that. And what I love about Cassie is that she's not scared to be strict even in front of the camera. So the first day, when my director came to see whether, you know, there would be a teacher that would be the right kind of teacher, he asked her if he could just mic her up during one of her final rehearsals for a concert. And he said, please, Cassie, don't change the way you're teaching. Just do what you would normally do. And she said, well, you haven't given me much choice because I've only got one more run before the concert, so I have to drill this, and it's got to be ready. And then she just drilled it. And my director looked at me and said, we have a show. Because she didn't change. She just did her job. And, you know, I think everyone. Well, actually, I know that the world has noticed Cassie, and she's been getting a lot of interest and offers from all kinds of places. So she's definitely one teacher I'd love to film. Let me think, who else? Kayleigh Yee, who taught it like the way, and she taught one day at Brent Street. Now, I do not know how a teacher can come for one day, and that brilliant moment that happens with Emily happened. But I think all teachers who are listening to this podcast, if you go to episode three of Dance Life and you watch this moment with Kayleigh, I think it's like something that we can learn from as teachers, because Emily was not able to, in the line say what she wanted to do when she got out of full time. And you could see the mind was ticking, and she was so disappointed in herself, in what she'd said. Now, from someone who some people think is shy, I saw her line up, you know, at the end of the class when people all come to say thank you, thank you to the teacher. And everyone was doing that. Hi. Thank you. Thank you so much. It was a great class. And I could see Emily there, and I thought, what is happening here? And she was brave enough to say, I'm sorry, what I said in the line, it's not what I meant. I actually want to do what you do. And Kayleigh, the way she spoke, one of my editors was just like, I can't believe that's not a script. Because she was like, I don't have to give you permission to be a dancer. You're already doing it. You're already here. You Just need to believe in it. And then everyone here will start treating you like a professional dancer. And the way that Kayleigh spoke and then the care that she showed after, Emily will tell you that was a breakthrough for her in the year. And she really thought, yeah, how can. How can I think I'm going to be a dancer and everyone's going to give this job to me when I don't even believe in myself? So I think it's a good lesson for all of us to look out for the Emily's in class, you know, 100.

That moment spoke to me so much. And, you know, we talk to our people a lot out there about, like, you don't realize that one little thing you say to a child could affect them for the rest of their life, be it positive or negative. And I'm always the one putting my hand up saying, I've said a lot of the negative stuff, especially back in the day, Jade, when I was so competitive. Like, I'm still competitive.

You and me both. Much more competitive 10 years ago, you.

Know, like, yeah, yeah. But you just don't realize that sometimes that can affect a child for the rest of their life, but that positive impact can also affect them so hard. And that was like a real big moment for me, too. And it does make you think, who am I not speaking to in my classes that I should be reaching out to?

Yes. And I think I've learned this lesson personally from my mentor, who I know you love as well, Glenda Yee. Not just positive or negative, but saying nothing has a big impact too. So we could see that in the show. You know, if Cassie didn't say anything to the group, that was just as harsh for them, you know, and one girl comes and whispers, she complimented me. When I spoke to Cassie about that, she can't even remember. She thinks it was like, strong arms or, you know, good, good personality there. It wasn't a huge, big thing, but the way she's like, she complimented me. Looking back, Cassie said to me, wow, even watching it myself, it's made me as a teacher grow and change and remember how much weight that our students put onto what we say, when we say it, and when we don't say anything at all. So Glenda always said, try and say as many names as you can every class when you teach. Even just if it's high as they walk in the door or great lesson at the end or, you know, during one progression across the floor, if you can get nearly every name out in a lesson. She's a Big believer in that. And I could see filming with the camera. The interesting thing is normally as a teacher, you say it and then you go home, but now I'm actually going home with the kids. So I can hear, you know, how important it is for that little bit of recognition.

Yep, absolutely. So insane. And so Emily was such a big impact. Was there any other character that you think really had, like, the huge impact? And who would that.

Couple of notes. Tiana shared a bullying story. And I think if there's anything I'd like everyone to take away from this podcast, it's something that I took away when I was filming because this is maybe a mom's perspective as well. So in episode two, Tiana's story of what happened to her at school, not at dancing, the phone call that she received, honestly, if that was me as a mum receiving that call, I don't really know where to go from there. I thought it was just so hard that year that she had in year seven. So it was in year seven of school when the show aired, a family reached out to Tiana and her family to say, we received the exact same phone call last week. We watched your show, we hugged, we cried, we got strength from seeing you move on. And thank you for sharing your story. So, Tiana, I know you'll listen to this because Tiana is, you know that, you know, that student in class that's the first to hand in everything and, you know, you know, do you notice that she actually was the first person to send her video on Zoom? So I know Tiana, you'll be listening to this. I want to say thank you for sharing your story. I know it was hard, but also the arc that Tiana showed us, from being so confident at the start to having an injury that nearly took her out. And her arc is one of the biggest arcs in the show. So I think Tiana, what she's taught me is as a teacher, in the first weeks of term especially, remember to walk the hallways and see who is sitting by themselves. Because sometimes we are so invested in what's happening in the classroom and you could be doing the best class ever and the kid actually loves it. But they can't come back to your school because they can't make friends there or they just left out or the little click of group. You know, Tiana said a phrase. The social hierarchy of the lines. I nearly fell over when that came out of, you know, an 18 year old's mind. The social hierarchy of the lines. And we all know it's true. And there's the in group and the confident group, and then the. Maybe some other groups find their own little place. But if as a studio owner, you walk the hallways at lunch breaks or even in class, when you've got to pick someone, go from the corner, you will see that there is a Tiana who is struggling to find her people, and that is what nearly pulled her out of dance. So I'm hoping that maybe that message will just remind, because I know we're all so busy and we're doing a million things, but a little walk of the hallway and to maybe get teachers to feel invested in that as well would be great. Even in class, when you see that pairing up, just a little reminder to teachers, you know, have a look, who's that last person always picked, and just say, right, today, I want to see you with you and solve that problem for them.

Yes, I love that. And I talk to this when I do staff training all the time. But making kids pair with other kids is so important. Realizing what the groups are in your classes and, you know, divvying it up and even chatting to the popular group, like, I'll often chat to them and make them the leaders of encouraging other kids. Like, you just have to be so on top of that. I think it's such a big part of your culture within your studio, and it's so easy to ignore it and let it get out of hand. And when it gets out of hand, it's so hectic. I'm sure you've been there. I've been there in my studio journey many times. And, you know, it's my own fault because I wasn't aware. I wasn't making myself aware, really. Like, you've got to be so on top of that.

I think we're more aware now, but I actually think it's a big part of retention.

So.

So why do all these other big things about retention and programs and miss one of those really basic things that everyone can do really easily? And in the end, we all know a lot of kids come to our dance schools that aren't going to do dance when they finish, but we want them to have that experience that they remember loving coming to dance, not feeling isolated or feeling left out or not feeling like you could find a friend. So, yeah, Tiana, I'm going to give you a shout out for that one. The other one I would probably put forward is Max Simmons. I know you don't want me to say this, Max, but Max's singing lesson was for the most confident person on the outside from classes, Max can pick up choreography faster than any student I've ever seen in 20 years. He basically doesn't even need to pay attention. And he can learn it in 10 seconds. Even the hardest 1e and a 2e Thanos counts. He is the fastest. So he looks so confident. And everyone thinks he would have no, you know, no confidence issues at all. Singing day well, episode two, we saw a whole other side of Max that visible shaking before he has to go sing, like one chorus. He was a state for about two hours before that happened. So the reason I'm going to bring this up, and I don't think Max is actually, you know, he's doing so well in commercial dance at the moment. I don't think he's thinking he wants to be the lead in a musical. But what it made me really remember as well is these kids do 17 classes a week of jazz and ballet and technique and lyrical and all the different dance classes. And many of them ignore singing till they get to full time. And then they say, I want to be in a musical. So they start doing a private singing lesson or they do the class, you know, at their full time. It's too late. You need to do your singing. And Max actually did invest in his singing. He just wasn't as confident. I think everyone got shocked when he opened his mouth because he was a lot better than everybody thought. Everyone thought it was going to be terrible. And so many people have said, max, you were pretty good. But the confidence was not there because he hadn't put himself out there enough times. So I would say that's another lesson that I think if teachers watch this show and then talk to it about this, talk to it with their students, it's got some good learning points for that to talk about the singing. The other one is probably Kim when she doesn't get in jazz one in episode one, she was pretty devastated by that. But by the end, she says she's really thankful Lucas did that. She feels that she got so much better for having to fight for it, that her teaching, like her learning style was going to be much better. If she had just been put it put in Jaz one, she might have just cruised along, but she fought for it, like the whole year. So maybe sometimes we're scared to grade or scared to give kids a challenge. But the learning from Kim in the show as well was like, that's what actually made it for her. And she's working so much professionally now. I think she was on a big gig yesterday. She's done gigs for Square Division. She credits a lot of this to the fight that she had to do for the whole year. Because she's the kid that came from the central coast. She's not from Brent Street. The first day we film her, that's the first day she walked in that building. So, you know, that's. I love seeing her journey because we always say having other people around you that is going to lift you up is only going to help you at the end. And in my studio, I used to always have to say this too. There'd always be two or three girls in the same age group that would be, you know, really competitive just with each other. I think solos sometimes it would bring out the worst because they would actually compete against each other more than all the other people from across New South Wales. And I would think, this is so wrong. You are going to be so thankful that this other strong dancer was in your age group. In the end you're going to say, oh, thank God that person was there because I got so much better. And full time is that times a thousand. So you can you come, you're the best from your dance school. You think you're a jazz one without it. You know, you just don't even think twice about it. And then you look around and think, hang on a second, I gotta push myself here. And I think even in class it's good to remind them it's a good thing. It's not something to shy away from or be worried about. If there's someone there that's challenging you, you should thank them. You should think I'm very lucky that you're in my age group.

I love that. I love that. And I want to touch on the they them of thems of the world. Now I've got a preschooler this year who's a they them. It is such a new, I guess thing for us, the older people. I'm old now, Jade. But you know, it's so. It's so accepted in our world, which I love. But that was such an inspiration inspiring way that the staff dealt with them. I felt I couldn't remember. I couldn't remember their name. Archer.

Yeah. So Archer was a non binary student. But I will say that since we have filmed, finished filming, which was 22 and now it's 2024, Archer is transitioning. So now is she. So, you know, we all have to just adjust to language. But it was pretty easy to be there on set and watch how diversity is handled and encouraged and celebrated at Brent street it's something that Lucas is really, really good at. And even though the dance industry, we have so many gendered things. I mean, I know Bec, you're an RD ballet teacher from way back. Just thinking about boys. On shame on girls. On shame on, you know, boys wear this. Girls wear this. Even when I first started learning tap, there was different hands for tap. For girls and boys, there's just so many things. You're going to get a casting brief and it's like males and females. So that was a very interesting kind of thing to explore for, you know, our production. But Archer, I think, you know, I think it was the best year for them. They have amazing creativity and that showed. But Cassie, there's a moment when Cassie says what we've all said a hundred times, which is, girls, go outside. Boys, we're going to start with you. And Archer walks straight up and says, where do you want me? And it's so funny, these tiny little moments that the camera would capture. And I'm almost feeling nervous for Cassie thinking, like, would I say the right thing? I don't know. Should she have said something before she did that? Just in, you know, without a thought. Cassie's like, male energy at the start, female energy at the end. Are you happy with that, Archer? Great. Let's get started. Just perfect. And I think maybe, maybe, like you say, some of the older teachers, that we don't have as much experience. It's good to watch this kind of thing. And we've also had a lot of parents reach out as well and saying, thank you for showing Archer's story. Because my child needed to see Archer on screen so that they felt seen. So, yeah, Archer's been a number like all of them actually, like, you know, if you name all of them, they've all brought their own, you know, different thing. Max Osler, who everyone thinks is going to be, you know, the most confident, the star, the leader, the front runner, you know, we saw his story of how not confident he wasn't socially, you know, throughout the whole year at full time and how Cassie's choreography made him break through that. She made him look into the eyes of people walking down the stairs because she's very aware as a teacher what's happening. And she was bringing that into her choreography, which gave it such an authentic feel at that grad. But, you know, so, yeah, all of them have got definitely something to offer with this, with each of their stories. And that's what makes it so the puzzle. It's an ensemble cast. You know, they all Bring their different parts. So that's why I think it's been successful.

So incredible. Now, what's next? I don't know if you can tell me what's next, but we all want the next thing.

That's probably the only bit I can't tell you. Bec. I will say that we have exceeded expectations here in Australia, in New Zealand, In Canada, in 25 countries, we've been in the top 10 on Prime Video. So that is fantastic. We have had, like, so many surprising people reaching out to us. I will say Max Osler is on a plane, I think, as we speak, to go to Hollywood. As we speak. He's on a plane right now. That's a little spoiler for you. We have had Broadway dancers reach out to us. We've had the cast of Dance Moms reach out to us. We've had Rebel Wilson. So many people have watched this show. We've heard a lot of it's. But it's still spreading its word in other territories. So we're not sure yet exactly what's happening. We have so many people saying, please do another one. You know, some people want to see what you do. Yes. Some people want to see what's happened to the dancers on the show. I mean, yes, like, Connor is, you know, the dream for a studio owner. You know, when you watch a dancer and you just. You can't stop watching them and he's supposed to be looking everywhere. That's Connor. You just can't stop watching him. Literally two days after his graduation, two or three days, he went and auditioned for Wicked and got it. So to go watch him in Wicked after I've seen him all year in the class when they're practicing how to get in a show like Wicked and then go see him, that so many of them are doing amazing things. So there's that option. But also we could just have a whole new group of students. So it's all up in the air. Can't reveal how it's looking at the moment, but yeah, it's been a very exciting journey. And I will say I'm actually shocked at how supported I have felt personally and also all of the kids and Brent Street. I know Lucas is thrilled with the reaction that he got. He was very nervous. He kept saying to me, look at the dirty mirrors, Jade. Look at all the smudging on the mirrors. Someone should have cleaned the mirrors. Which I think, as studio owners can we all relate to that. Would you want the cameras filming your mirrors when everyone's put their hands on Them, you know, so many things we were both so nervous about but we both feel like we can breathe. Now that the reaction's been so good. We are going to do start doing some workshops with the dancers and we've had great reaction to that. So we're kind of, we're full for the April holidays but we hope to do some like in June as well because I think it's been a long time since young dancers have had some like dancers to have some fandom about. Probably since so youo Think youk Can Dance. I think. Do you think it's been since then that they have someone that they can, you know, relate to? So I hope to get them. I hope to take the dancers to as many dance studios or conventions as I can because I know it's been very meaningful for them to meet the cast.

Yeah, that's so amazing. Well, how can we. Obviously we can see it on Prime Video and if you guys out there haven't watched it, I know after listening to this you absolutely will want to. But it's just such an amazing. I mean, I think Bibi and I have watched it three times now. It's embarrassing to talk about it.

Thank you for the views. Bec get a 30 day trial if you don't have Prime Video as well. So you can get a trial and watch it. So it doesn't cost anything. If you just want to watch the show, the best thing you could do is share with your studios. That would be amazing for us if you could promote in your studios, encourage them to follow us on socials and comment. Let Prime Video know that you want a season two if you want to. All of that can really help us at this point. But yeah, mostly just spread the word because we think that everyone's seen it. But then I just keep running into people saying, oh yes, I've got to watch that. So maybe some studios haven't even heard about it yet. So I'm hoping I can reach some more today. And I'm actually going to be jumping on with a lot of American studio owners next week, so spreading the word further. But I know a lot of you are connected to dance schools all over the world as well. So yeah, if you could spread the word we would be very appreciative because I hope to get more dance on the screen. The feedback that we've got directly has told us people want to enroll in dance. After seeing this everywhere, they want to do more classes, they want to stay in class. So I think it's positive for everyone. Dance studio owners, dance teachers, everyone.

Absolutely. Well, thank you so much for coming today, Jade. It has been amazing. I know you guys out there are would have absolutely loved it and yeah, I can't wait to oh, it was amazing. And hopefully hear from Jade again when the next series comes out. Thanks.

So maybe I'll have to do an announcement on here back.

That'd be great. All right, bye, everyone. Have a great week and we'll talk to you soon. Bye.

Sam.