Most of us would rather not admit to the amount of reality TV we secretly consume every week. But on this season of “So You Think You Can Dance,” Megan Calhoun gives us an excuse to proudly tune in. The NU freshman from Los Angeles is auditioning for the show during Spring Break, hoping to have fun and show off her moves.
PLAY: How did you decide to audition for So You Think You Can Dance?
Megan Calhoun: My mom and I watched it when I was at home all the time and it always looked like so much fun. I never really thought I would have the guts to do anything like that. For some reason my mom and I were talking about it, and the audition in L.A. is when I’m home for Spring Break. So my mom looked it up and said, “You should just try it for fun because you never know!” So I’m just doing it for fun.
PLAY: How are you getting ready for the auditions?
MC: The Web site doesn’t have much information as to what you need to prepare, so I’m just preparing a 1 to 2 minute dance that I’m choreographing myself. And then I guess I’ll just be waiting out in line for a long time.
PLAY: Can you tell us what the song is?
MC: I don’t even know yet! I’ll probably just pick it when I’m home.
PLAY: Do you know anyone else who’s auditioning?
MC: I don’t know anybody. I think my mom and I will probably just go down together.
PLAY: What was your dance experience like as a child?
MC: I started dancing when I was two, and I danced ballet, tap and jazz up until my junior year in high school. I just declared a double dance major here, so I take a couple class at Northwestern too.
PLAY: Do you have a favorite type of dance?
MC: My favorite type of dance is lyrical, which is like a combination of ballet and jazz, but I’m not exactly sure what kind of piece I’ll do for the audition. I’ve never been to an audition like this. I’ve auditioned for ballet intensives and summer camps but this is very different. It’s all staged, and you go all in together. The only thing I know is from watching the TV show.
PLAY: What have you learned from watching the show in past seasons?
MC: Well, the show just says “pick a piece of music, show what you know how to do.” You probably want to do something upbeat, something energetic, because a slow piece won’t catch their attention. And you really just have to show off whatever you think you’re best at. Don’t try to do anything too difficult that won’t make you look your best.
PLAY: What are you hoping will set you apart or make you different?
MC: Hopefully just the fact that I really love to dance. But I’m really not hoping to get anything out of it except to just say that I did it and have the experience.
PLAY: Do you have any advantage being a trained as dancer?
MC: I think maybe in other towns, I would, but in L.A., you’re going to find a lot of trained people. They might be looking for people who aren’t necessarily trained, as well. I wouldn’t even say I’m the best trained person. I was a figure skater in high school so I spent most of my time doing that. Dance was always on the side for me. So I’m probably not even the best trained one.
PLAY: How do you feel going in to the audition?
MC: I’m just excited. There’s no reason to expect anything, especially in L.A. where everyone is a dancer and everyone is amazing. I just really like to perform, so I think that’s the reason I wanted to do it. I haven’t performed at school so I thought, “Why not take the opportunity?”
– Kate Bernot
