Rebecca Liu-Brennan 0:00
Oh, well hello friends. It is back 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 Dad's life, which is now streaming on Prime Video. How are you Jade?
Jade Barnes 0:19
I'm very well. It's been a rollercoaster month since we've launched. But I'm excited and it's been really great. Number one thing the dance, the dance industry has supported the show so much. And nothing made me happier than that. Well, I
Rebecca Liu-Brennan 0:36
know my students are obsessed with it. Bebe, 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 be downloaded onto the lap. 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.
Jade Barnes 0:59
Thanks back. Thank you so much. And I love hearing everyone benched in one day. I gotta say all of the dance community there was 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 already. Yeah,
Rebecca Liu-Brennan 1:18
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?
Jade Barnes 1:36
Okay, I think you're maybe one of the first people that's asked me this back. So this will, 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 chair. 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 Brent and Jonathan Lawson, 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'm pretty much know everyone in the industry. And I did have to call in a lot of favours 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 brainstorm some ideas. And then before you knew it, I was knocking on brain Street store saying, What do you think about this crazy idea?
Rebecca Liu-Brennan 3:20
Oh, my gosh, I love it. I love it. And and what was their reaction to that, like someone coming in? Because
I know it didn't anywhere? Do you have anything like dad's mom's all the connotations that have that, but you would be scared of that as a studio owner, I will 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 the reaction of that was.
Jade Barnes 3:49
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 like 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 and stuff that ever again. 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 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 you know, it's not exciting enough. And my director was always saying, what are the stakes? What are the stakes for these performance? Now for dancers, the stakes have built in because so many of us want to do it, and so few can actually achieve it. So it was not like we had to make up any stakes. It's the real world. We're all living in, that were teaching so many kids that want this dream and love this art. But the reality is, you know, 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.
Rebecca Liu-Brennan 6:03
And what did you get an answer to that? Because, 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 Jaden. 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, well, yeah, the answer?
Jade Barnes 6:34
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 where I think the stakes have a 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. I think, what I realised, and perhaps I was a little bit harsh, as a judge about this before I've 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 realise 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 the year, there were they'd come in with mental health, they'd come in with different issues that we're going through coming of age things that you know, that we're 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 nine to five things many people do. So if you can't 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 how important this safe spaces 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 realise they just the benefit of that for that extra year when you finish school and you kind of lost so that's what my eyes were probably really open too.
Rebecca Liu-Brennan 9:12
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 No, I wouldn't think about it that way. I just think like you go there to you're gonna make havoc. Yeah, that's 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. It's very, very interesting. 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 she's from
Jade Barnes 9:47
your area Beck as well.
Rebecca Liu-Brennan 9:49
I know. I didn't realise that. Yes, I did. I did realise that when I was watching it, and what uh, yeah, she was just so inspiring, right? I could talk
Jade Barnes 10:00
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 gonna get emotional saying that. 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 is 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 that 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 were we were doing. Sometimes when we were mocking her, we would even hear a bit of self talk. 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 that 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 back. That's the first thing 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. 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 Wow. 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
Rebecca Liu-Brennan 13:56
incredible and like have this cast found it hard to deal with that sudden fame. Do you think or do you think
Jade Barnes 14:06
because I think they love it back because they're performers they love as Steven tennis 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 Ocelot could not get out of Kmart the other day because a whole group of teenage girls just want 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 tick tock influencers 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 I might be different if you know the show didn't have a positive message or you know if anything 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.
Rebecca Liu-Brennan 15:32
Yeah, it's so cleverly put together like that. I think 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 how did they feel like, that's a pretty big invasion letting someone into your house, right?
Jade Barnes 15:54
Well, yeah, I think when everyone has commented that the access the show has, is beyond what anyone would think anyone would allow. But dances are open people. And they are like, welcome to my life. So you know that the production team Amazon, they kept thinking, Cassie is letting you into her bridal fitting? Are you serious, like every part of their life they were open to with I will say that we spent a lot of time with Emily's Nan unpop before we started filming, and I asked them if it was okay, if they're 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 you know, 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, you know, 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 for a concert. So to have the cameras on Emily's Nan's phase and maximums is mum standing ovation, like you just feel what we're all doing. Why that bit that we love it our concerts to have cameras watching the parents and the teachers. That was one of my favourite parts. I
Rebecca Liu-Brennan 17:46
love that. I love that. I think we forget that because we're backstage and all the crazy. Yes. And you actually forget that, you know, that means so much to panellists.
Jade Barnes 17:55
Right? Yeah, we 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 like 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 stage in the audience. You know, I think what a great opportunity.
Rebecca Liu-Brennan 18:30
Yeah, absolutely. And you had some amazing industry professionals teaching these kids obviously. How would they with the whole thing? I'm lucky enough to have Jacob er at my studio, actually. You are very liven up, 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 oh,
Jade Barnes 18:59
well, I think Cassie is the best new age Ted, like the best teacher of this generation I've ever seen. I'll just go out on a limb and say that she her mom was a dance studio owner. So she was born. Maybe this will be baby as well for you. 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. Yeah, 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 were 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 will actually I know that the world has noticed, Cassie, and she's been getting a lot of interest in offers from all kinds of places. So she's definitely one teacher, I'd love to film. Let me think about Kaylee Yee, who only was she came, she taught it like the way and she taught one day at Brent St. 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 live, and you watch this moment with Kaylee, I think it's like something that we can learn from his 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 he's shy, I saw her line up, you know, at the end of the class, when people will come to say, thank you, thank you to the teacher, and everyone was doing. 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 Kaylee 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 Kaley 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 I? 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,
Rebecca Liu-Brennan 22:19
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 realise 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 hands 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,
Jade Barnes 22:42
you would make it much more competitive 10 years ago, you know, like, yeah,
Rebecca Liu-Brennan 22:46
yeah, but you just don't realise 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?
Jade Barnes 23:04
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. Uh, 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 that 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 caught me. Looking back, Cassie said to me, well, 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 a high as they walk in the door or great listen 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. But 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,
Rebecca Liu-Brennan 24:24
absolutely. So insane. And so Emily was such a big impact. Was there any other character that you think really had like this? Yeah.
Jade Barnes 24:35
And a 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, 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 a new seventh. So it was in the seventh of school. asked when the show aired, a family reached out to Tiana and her family to say we receive 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 you know how she 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're just left out. Or the little clique 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 olds mind the social hierarchy of the lines. And we all know it's true. And there's Yeah, in group, the confident group, and then 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 got to pick someone to 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 piqued and just say right, today, I want to see you with you and solve that problem for them. Yes,
Rebecca Liu-Brennan 27:30
I love that. And I talked to this when I do staff training all the time. But making kids pair with other kids is so important realising in your classes and you know, divvying it up and, and even chatting to the popular group like often chat to them and, 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.
Jade Barnes 28:13
I think we're more aware now. But I actually think it's a big part of retention. So why do all these other big things about retention and programmes and miss one of those really basic things that everyone can do really easily? And you know, 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 you know not feeling like you could find a friend so yeah, Tiana, I'm gonna give you a shout out for that one. The other one I will probably put forward is maximum I know you don't want me to say this max. But Max is singing lesson was. You know 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 one and a two week tunnels counts. He is the fastest. So he looks so confident 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 seeing 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 what their full time it's too late, you need to do your singing. And that's 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 gonna be, you know, 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's 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 just 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 like, you know, give kids that challenge. But the learning from Kim in in the show as well was like that's what actually made it for her. And she's working so much professionally. Now. She was on a big gig yesterday, she she's doing 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 brain 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 our in my studio, I used to always have to say this to 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 gonna say, Oh, thank God, that person was there because I got so much better and full time is that times 1000. So 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've got to 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
Rebecca Liu-Brennan 32:46
love that. I love that and I want to touch on the day them of them's of the world now. I sort of priest, I've got a preschooler this year who's are they them it is such a new, I guess thing for us that 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 inspiring way that the staff dealt with there. I I couldn't remember this all I couldn't write the name.
Jade Barnes 33:21
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. Our chat is transitioning. So now 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 bridgestreet. 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 back you're already a ballet teacher from way back, just thinking about boys on shame on girls on shame on you know, boys were these girls were 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 for, you know, our production. But our cha I think, you know, I think it was the best year for them. They have amazing creativity and that that show. But Cassie there's a moment when Cassie says what we've all said 100 times which is girls go outside boys, we're gonna 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 always feeling nervous because he thinking like I would I say the right thing I don't know like, should she have said something before she did that? With just in, you know, without a thought Cassius like, male energy at the start female energy at the end, are you happy with that Archer? Alright, 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 our true story, because my child needed to see Archer on screen so that they felt seen. So yeah, it has been, like all of them actually. Like, you know, if you name all of them, they've all brought their own, their, you know, different thing, Max Oslo, 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 Cathy'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 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 the different parts. So that's why I think it's been successful.
Rebecca Liu-Brennan 36:25
So incredible. Now, what's next? I don't know if you can tell me what's next. But we the next thing
Jade Barnes 36:31
at I can't tell you that. Um, I will say that we have exceeded expectations here in Australia, in New Zealand, in Canada. In a lot of in 25 countries, we've been in the top 10 In on Prime Video. So Wow. is fantastic. We have had like so many surprising people reaching out to us. I will say Max us like he's 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, 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, pick some people want to see what you do here. Some people want to see what's happened to the dancers on the show. I mean, yes. Like Conor is, you know, the dream for his studio. And you know, when you watch a dancer and you just, you can't stop watching them and you're supposed to be looking everywhere. That's kind of he you just can't stop watching him. Literally two days after his graduation two or three days, he went an audition for weekend and got it. So to go watch him in with it after I've seen him all year in the class, when they're practising how to get in a show, like we get up and 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 it's been, it's been a very exciting journey. And I will say I'm actually shocked at how supportive I have felt personally, and also all of all of the kids and brands straight. 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. Jay look at all the smudges on the mirrors. Someone should have cleaned the mirrors, which I think studio owners can we all relate to that would you want to cameras filming your mirrors when everyone's put their hands on them? You know, so many things we were both so nervous about that we both feel that we can breathe now there the reactions been so good. We are going to do start doing some workshops with the dancers. And we've had an array reaction to that. So we're kind of we're full 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 you think he that can dance I think Do you think it's been since then I 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 meet the cast. Yeah,
Rebecca Liu-Brennan 39:37
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 me it's just such an amazing I mean I think baby and I've watched it three times now it's embarrassing.
Jade Barnes 39:54
Thank you for the views but yeah 30 day trial if you don't have Prime Video as well, so you can get a trial and watch it and you know, 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 no that you want to 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 Americans 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 enrol in dance after seeing this. You know, everywhere they want to enrol, 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.
Rebecca Liu-Brennan 41:10
Absolutely. Well, thank you so much for coming today. Jade. It has been amazing. I know you guys out there would have absolutely loved it. And yeah. Oh, it was amazing. And hopefully hear from Jade again when the next series comes out. Thanks. So
Jade Barnes 41:26
maybe I'll have to do an announcement on here, but
Rebecca Liu-Brennan 41:29
that'd be great. All right. Bye, everyone. Have a great weekend. We'll talk to you soon. Bye. You're amazing.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
