THE MAGAZINE recently stopped by the set of Family Channel’s THE NEXT STEP to see what goes on behind the scenes. We learned that the cast and crew have crazy schedules, especially in the summer when they film new episodes. For the dancers, summer kicks off with learning the dance routines in the first few weeks and rehearsing whenever they’re not shooting a scene. Everyone on set works hard to finish about 1 ½ episodes per day.
THE NEXT STEP has a reality show look and feel, but did you know that most of the lines in the show come from improv? The actors are told what is supposed to happen during the scene and then they make up their lines on the spot! Many of the cast members are still in school and the younger members like Victoria Baldesarra (Michelle) have a parent on set to make sure they’re doing all right. Just like normal teens, they take a lunch break and all eat together, laughing and talking until it’s back to work for the rest of the afternoon and evening. They normally end with filming “talking heads,” the scenes where their characters confess how they feel. A day of work can be as long as 13 hours, so you can imagine the set is always busy!
THE MAGAZINE got a chance to sit down with a few of the cast members, including Alexandra Beaton (Emily),Victoria Baldesarra (Michelle),Isaac Lupien (Eldon) and Brittany Raymond (Riley) to talk about what it’s like to work on set and what’s in store for the end of season 1.
How long have you been dancing?
Alexandra (Emily): I’m primarily an actor, so I started dancing in grade 10.
Victoria (Michelle): Since I was three.
Isaac (Eldon): My first time on stage was at 11 months old. My parents owned a dance studio, so they threw me in as a prop.
Bree Wasylenko (Kate): For 20 years.
Lamar Johnson (West): I started dancing at the age of nine, in grade 2. I specifically remember the day. One of my friends asked me to be in his crew for the talent show. We got first place at the show!
Trevor Tordjman (James): My whole life, my mom owns a studio.
How did you get involved with THE NEXT STEP?
Alexandra (Emily): I came by it as most kids in Toronto do. My agent sent me. As you come to learn in this world, it’s audition, audition, audition.
Brittany (Riley):My dance teacher was contacted by the casting director and was asked to bring dancers to this reality show that we really didn’t know anything about. Once I got there, I was so nervous, I didn’t know what to expect. When I found out that I got the role, I realized that I loved acting.
Bree (Kate): Near the end of auditions, there were three of us trying out for the part of Miss Kate. Luckily I was the one that was bossy enough and could lay down the law!
Lamar (West): I sort of took a break from dancing for a bit and focused on acting for about two years, which really readied me for THE NEXT STEP. I did the audition when I was ready to dance again and this show has made me reconnect with my passion for dance so I’m really grateful for this experience.
How do you relate to your character on the show?
Victoria (Michelle): We’re very similar. I feel like when I am in a scene I am very real.
Alexandra (Emily): When I first read about Emily, I got kind of excited about the challenge. I’m not going to lie; I can be stubborn and can relate to some of things Emily feels. I think a lot of people, if they’re honest with themselves, can relate to her. People feel threatened, like things are not fair. That’s just life.
Isaac (Eldon): As silly and weird as my character is, I actually have a lot in common with him. Everyone says he’s the dance nerd and that’s who I am. I’ll just go home and watch hours of YouTube videos of dances.
Brennan Clost (Daniel): In the first season you see Daniel being really passionate and not involved with the drama. That’s also how I try to carry myself.
Lamar (West): In certain ways I’m like West. He’s extroverted. I can be a goofball at times and I can also be quiet. So yeah, I’m very similar to my character.
What’s been your biggest challenge working on the show?
Victoria (Michelle): Obviously, the biggest challenges are the serious scenes. Especially when Alex and I are doing scenes, it’s hard for me to look at her like she’s actually bossing me around because off camera it’s not like that.
Brittany (Riley): I feel for me, knowing where my character is at, in every scene. We film out of order, so you have to be on top of your game.
Brennan (Daniel): For me it’s the improv because I’m such a perfectionist.
Jennifer Pappas (Chloe):Acting. I hadn’t really acted before and my character struggles with things I’ve never struggled with. I’ve had a good life with a supportive family, so it’s hard to do those scenes.
Lamar (West): Just trying to match everyone with dancing and making myself look as good as possible. A lot of people here have had a technical background in dance and I haven’t had that sort of training.
What’s it like working on set?
Brittany (Riley): It’s very, very chilled and relaxed. We’re all really close!
Alexandra (Emily): We all really like to hang out together. No prima donnas!
Victoria (Michelle): Yeah, we’re all friends. It’s not like we have our own trailers or anything like that. We have little cubbies and we all hang out together!
Bree (Kate): Yeah, hanging out in the green room, chilling in video village (where the director sits with all the chairs and monitors) and being a fly on the wall while others film.
What do you do in your free time out side of THE NEXT STEP?
Brittany (Riley): I like to go shopping and watch Netflix.
Alexandra (Emily): I love books, yoga and hanging with friends.
Brennan (Daniel): This summer I’ve really enjoyed going up to my friend’s barn. She has 18 horses and a bunch of barn cats. I love animals.
Bree (Kate): A lot of dance, other television work and I teach a bit of dance.
Jennifer (Chloe): Shopping!
What’s your favourite show other than THE NEXT STEP?
Victoria (Michelle): THE LIZZIE MCGUIRE SHOW. Isaac (Eldon): DRAGON BALL Z. Brennan (Daniel): THE VAMPIRE DIARIES. Samantha Grecchi (Stephanie): HANNAH MONTANA and WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE. Bree (Kate): RECESS. Jennifer (Chloe): DEGRASSI.
What do your friends and family think of you doing the show?
Isaac (Eldon): I was expecting to get made fun of. They’re my friends so not actually being made fun of, but just a lot of jokes. After they watched the show, the guy I least expected calls me and tells me he liked it.
Samantha (Stephanie): I have younger siblings, so I’m like the coolest big sister because they think I’m best friends with Hannah Montana.
Bree (Kate): My mom loves the show because I play a very positive character.
Lamar (West): My family supports me. My mother is my biggest supporter, she always wants to come on set and be around for what I’m doing. My friends motivate me everyday. They don’t let my head swell over stuff, so I’m very humbled by all that.
What can we expect from the end of season 1?
Alexandra (Emily): A lot of people will ask my co-stars if I’m as mean as my character is in real life, but you discover the reasons Emily is the way she is. I think her personality in the show will be a huge surprise to everyone. She’s very one-sided right now, not well rounded yet.
Brennan (Daniel): The guys get more involved in the drama and their dances will get featured more, too.
Victoria (Michelle): It’s an emotional ride!
Thank you to the cast of THE NEXT STEP!
THE NEXT STEP returns to Family Channel on September 20 at 7 p.m. ET! Be sure to also check out a special recap episode hosted by Riley (Brittany Raymond) on Friday, September 13 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on Family Channel!