New Show Alert: “World of Dance”

NBC, Universal Television Alternative Studios, and Jennifer Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions are stepping on to the dance floor with a 10-episode order for “World of Dance,” an unparalleled dance competition series where the winner will receive a life-altering grand prize of $1 million.

In partnership with preeminent global dance brand World of Dance, the series brings the world’s elite dancers together to compete in epic battles of artistry, precision, and athleticism.  Solo artists will compete against duos and crews in an unlimited range of dance, including hip-hop, krumping, popping, locking, tap, ballet, break dancing, ballroom, clogging, stomping and more.

“Dance rivals any sport for its ability to produce world-class athletes and powerful performances that entertain, inspire and unite people from all walks of life,” said Meredith Ahr, President of Universal Television Alternative Studios. “The unmatched credibility that the World of Dance organization has achieved so quickly speaks to the high standard they have set for their community, which is based on authentic expression, diversity, and innovation. Those core values, paired with one of dance’s greatest success stories and role models, Jennifer Lopez, are sure to give viewers a front row seat as dance is taken to the next level.”

“This will be a fierce talent-heavy dance competition that embraces the raw emotion and excitement that dance represents,” said Lopez.  “I am excited to work with World of Dance, an organization that has had an immeasurable impact on the dance community, to give all dancers an enormous platform where their dreams can be realized.”

Handpicked from qualifying events around the nation and thousands of online submissions, competitors are divided into three divisions: Junior (any size act under 16 years old), Upper (groups of 1-4, over 16 years) and Team (groups of 5+, over 16 years). After an initial audition round, divisions face off in duels, until only one of each is left standing. A panel of experts score the acts using a precise point system developed by World of Dance, using the following criteria: Routine, Execution, Presentation, and Crowd Appeal. The epic finale sees the winners from each division duke it out for $1 million and the title “Best in the World.”

For dancers interested in competing on “World of Dance,” please register at www.worldofdancecasting.com and for more information on the show https://youtu.be/16Qb-49ssCY and https://youtu.be/OFbzsz4j88k.

Emmy Award-winning choreographers Napoleon and Tabitha D’umo, best known as Nappytabs, will also be on board. The pair has an extensive dancing pedigree that most recently includes choreographing Jennifer Lopez’s record-breaking show in Las Vegas, “All I Have.”  Additionally, they have worked with Madonna, Cirque du Soleil’s “Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour,” as well as TV’s “So You Think You Can Dance” and “America’s Best Dance Crew.”

World of Dance is among the most trusted and fastest growing dance and music entertainment brands, combining a successful digital platform of more than 8 million subscribers with the world’s largest international urban dance competition. What began in 2008 as a single event is now a continent-spanning, tour de force of human spirit and sick dance moves. The World of Dance Tour attracts YouTube stars, industry icons and tens of thousands of fans to events in more than 25 countries, spanning the U.S., Europe, South America, and Asia. The inspiring performance videos captured from these events drive 30 million monthly views online, making World of Dance the largest dance entertainment channel on YouTube. No language barriers. No animosity. Just pure, awe-inspiring movement.

Jennifer Lopez, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Benny Medina, Kris Curry, Matilda Zoltowski, David Gonzalez, Matthew Everitt and Al Hassas will executive produce. The series will be produced by Universal Television Alternative Studios in association with Nuyorican Productions.

WORLD OF DANCE — Pictured: “World of Dance” Logo — (Photo by: NBCUniversal)