Disney Channel dance phenomenon The Next Step will come alive at Canberra Theatre Centre this September…and Canberra dancers can win the chance to perform onstage with them!

Featuring nine of the cast from the hit television series, The Next Step: Absolute Dance will be a brand new show featuring solos, duets, trios and group numbers choreographed to popular songs, along with original music from the show. And Canberra dance troupes could win the change to perform on stage in Canberra on Sunday 29 September.

Find out how to enter here. Entries close 11:59 pm Tuesday 3 September.

The winners will perform their routine in Act 2 at The Next Step show in their winning city, introduced by iconic The Next Step star Victoria Baldesarra plus have a backstage meet and greet with the full The Next Step cast, and a studio photo with the cast—including Canadian dancer Briar Nolet.

This year, at only 20-years-old, Briar made it to the finals of the World of Dance competition series, gaining acclaim for her passionate, technically impressive performances. Briar incorporates contemporary, acro and jazz styles into her movement, sharing the determination and grit of her The Next Step character, Richelle.

“Richelle, is a very feisty, fierce and determined dancer,” explains Briar. “She doesn’t make time for friendships or relationships if they don’t come naturally, her ultimate goal is to always be the strongest dancer on the team and thrive in all opportunities given to her no matter how big, how small, how easy or how hard.”

Briar Nolet

In real life, Briar has faced her fair share of challenges herself. During the qualifiers round of World of Dance, she revealed that she has been diagnosed with epilepsy. The symptoms first began to appear when she was 16 and were linked to the process of learning choreography. Eventually, she found a medication that is able to control the seizures.

She says she wanted to share her story to inspire and inform people about the reality of the disorder. The incredible response from fans and on social media proves she has done just that.

“It’s been so amazing and humbling to see how many people have reached out to me with the same diagnosis or an illness in general saying that I have inspired them to follow their dreams and keep going no matter what is trying to stop them. It makes my heart so happy to see those messages.”

The whole World of Dance experience was life-changing for Briar, despite breaking her left hand during rehearsals for the second round.

“The most challenging part was coming up with a stronger dance that would surprise the judges each round. Through the World of Dance process I learned a lot about myself.

“I can truly say that I have never performed like I did when I hit that stage especially after the redemption round. I truly learned what it was like to fully connect to a song and dance purely from the heart.”

Briar will be bringing that same energy to her performance with The Next Step in Canberra, which promises a stellar night of entertainment for fans of the show and recent converts.

“There’ll be dances with signature flips, tricks, and lifts involved, a lot of interaction with the fans from the cast through a Q&A, a chance to get up and dance with us and maybe even some funny and fun little skits and videos,” says Briar. “You must be prepared for a fun time!”

the essentials

What: The Next Step
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre
When: Sunday 29 September at 7 pm
How much: From $74.90 + fees
Tickets: livenation.com.au

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