Backstage (2016) s01e02 Episode Script

- Previously - Welcome to Keaton School of the Arts.
- After this class, she'll pick one lucky freshman to take an elective with her and her fourth-year ballet class, the Primas.
Helsweel made her decision.
- Congrats, Vee.
You totally deserve it.
- Is she seriously freezing up? What an amateur! - You're not actually giving up, are you? - I actually am.
- You're the best.
- No, I'm not.
You are.
- So roll the dice and play the game Lost in love with no one else to blame When the sun go down Stereo on the front step And the boys come by To hear the music, shake it when I say Oh oh oh See the girls shake it when I say Oh oh oh Hear the music, shake it when I say (electronic OHs) Who you looking at, boy? What you want, boy, what Who you looking at, what Oh oh oh What you want, boy What, what, what (applause) - That was tight! Where'd you come up with that? - Years ago at a dance class.
- We did this routine to a Tegan and Sara song, and for two years after, we were Tegan - And Sara.
- I'm not gonna lie, it's been awkward between Cee and I since I made the Prima dance team and she didn't.
But I'm trying as hard as I can to make things better.
- Today's assignment.
One of my favorites.
Mr.
Gardner! Late again! Congratulations! - First week and already an award? A warning!? - Two more and you'll spend every day after school emptying spit valves.
As I was saying, this is one of my favorite assignments because you'll be performing a song from my youth The '80s.
- (Girl): Haha! Take inspiration from '80s artists like Prince, Madonna, Echo and the Bunnymen, and compose your own "gnarly" song.
I'm splitting you into two groups.
You'll be graded on technique, composition, and lyrics.
- What's up with Pretty Boy getting to waltz in whenever he likes, and I get a late slip for hardly being late.
- It's complicated.
- My eyes are open But I cannot see And I'm up and walking Still feels like a dream Until our eyes adjust I guess we're only feeling In the darkness - Whoa oh oh We just need a spark oh oh To light up the dark oh oh I can feel you with me I can feel you with me We just need a spark oh oh To light up the dark oh oh I can feel you with me I can feel you with me - We just need a spark - It must've been epic.
- It was pretty cool, but it was just a dress rehearsal.
- At the National Ballet! - Carly, remember that time we snuck backstage during the Nutcracker It was just like that.
- I know Vee's trying to make things less awkward between us, but the more she tries, the more awkward it gets.
- Is Paxton Koss as big of a diva as everyone says he is? I knew it.
- Who's the prettiest up close? Helen Singer or Beatrice Osmak? - I have no idea.
They wear so much makeup, you can barely recognize them! I swear, their skin must be as bad as their feet.
- They say if you just force a smile, your body will release natural endorphins that will make you happy.
It's not working.
- You realize every freshman dancer wants to be you right now, Vee? - Oh, Carly, you'll love this.
After rehearsals, we went to Cassandra's house for a soak in her mineral pool.
Her parents had it built for her and her sister.
It's supposed to be really healing for muscles.
- That sounds amazing.
- Totally.
- My Spidey senses are tingling.
There's something brewing between these two.
This could be prime blog material.
Yes, I write TMK, Keaton's gossip blog, and yes, it's the best.
- Hmm! Is this supposed to be straight? Pull up, pull up! I expect you to be bringing your A game, ladies and gentlemen, and if this is it, well, I weep for the future of dance.
- Who spit in her latte this morning? (Carly chuckling) - Dance is about two things: Technique and expression.
Today, we are attempting to focus on the latter.
I won't hold my breath.
I want to see passion! For this unit you'll be placed in pairs.
You will choreograph a short duet inspired by the feelings you've experienced this first week at school.
- Mine would look like a straight-up horror movie because that lady scares the man tights off of me.
- Your pairs for the next few weeks are "Delaney and Scott", Emma and Angeline, Lauren and Julia, Matt and Kate, Vanessa and Jenna, Carly and Sasha.
- Is it bad that I'm secretly happy not to be paired with Cee? I'm excited to dance with someone else for a change.
- I expect you to have an idea to pitch to me by the end of class.
Don't just stand there, get going! (Kids chattering) (teacher sighing) - Having the burden of being the school resident gossip, it's my duty to go where the drama is.
And let me tell you, Tegan and Sara over here have their game faces on.
Folks, get your popcorn out.
This is gonna be a blockbuster! Remember, dairy is death for your throat.
No one wants to hear sound coming from a throat clogged with mucus.
So before any vocal audition, it's the three W's: Water, water and water.
Every month, Keaton insists we do mentorship classes.
Yes, I'm a mentor.
I mean, I'm Scarlett the starlet; How could I not be? Today's topic? Vocal auditions.
Vocal auditions are ultimately about putting together a book of songs that you can kill, about marching confidently into that audition and blowing everyone away.
Want to love me - Wow.
You're phenomenal.
- Really? Thanks.
Another quick tip? Have your lyrics down.
You'd be surprised at how many people freeze up and forget them.
- No one here would do that (girl laughing) Truth: I've been auditioning since I was 3.
That's not an exaggeration.
I'm a professional.
I don't need to be taking a tutorial on auditioning; I should be teaching it! Do I need to be here? I think we all know, if anyone can book a gig, I can.
- (sighing): There's always one in every class And you are? - You don't recognize me? - No, sorry, I don't.
Of course I do.
Bianca Blackwell.
Chase from Chase and Chance, Lauren from Life of Lauren, Kate from You get the picture.
- Well, I'm an actress.
A working actress.
- Great! In that case, you can help us role play.
You can play the part of the casting director and Alya can play the part of the person auditioning.
Of course she picks me.
Just my luck.
- Very cool, Miles.
You're really capturing a Depeche Mode vibe there.
- Hmm! - More like depressed mode vi.
It's a snooze fest.
- Jax.
No phones allowed in my class.
- Oh, but I'm using it for the project.
- I said, "No phones.
" Hello.
This isn't actually the '80s.
Phones are used for more than just talking.
I was honestly working on it.
(musical ringtone) I mean, this is just getting out of control.
Dude walks in later than me, and I get the red slip; Park tells me to put my phone away, and he gets to go field calls? There's something going on here, and I'm gonna get to the bottom of it.
- So what should we do? - I'm not sure.
- Oh, come on, you're like the best dancer in this class.
- I don't know about that - You're a Prima now; You must have a ton of ideas.
- So I'm thinking joy mixed with angst.
But I have no clue how to choreograph "joygst.
" Hey, if you don't like the idea, just say so.
- No, yeah, sure.
- You OK? You look like you just barfed in your mouth.
- Anything looks familiar? That's our Tegan and Sara dance.
- No, she didn't! That's so wrong! There is no way I'm missing this.
(door closing) - That was our routine! - Look, I know, but I couldn't think of - No, you're right.
You can't think.
- What's that supposed to mean? - It means you're too lazy to come up with something original.
- Is that what you think? That I'm lazy? - Yes! No! I don't know why I said that.
This is the girls' change room.
- Ooops! - You know what I think? I think this is about more than our dance.
This is about you being jealous 'cause Helsweel picked me and not you to join the Primas.
- No, it's not! And how are you mad right now? You're the one who stole our dance! - I've been trying to make you feel included as best as I can, but I - I don't need you to do anything for me.
- We came here to become the best dancers we can be! And just because we've always been on the same level doesn't mean we always will be.
- What's that supposed to mean? - It means I feel like you're holding me back.
You want me to be on your level and you can't take the fact that I'm just not.
You're being selfish.
- You really think that? - I do! I don't! I can't believe I just said that.
How is this even happening? - Well, if I'm holding you back so much I'll just get out of your way! I was gonna write about this on my blog, but I already hit my quota for the day.
Besides, I kind of like these two.
I'm rooting for them to make it.
(sighing) - What just happened? - Well, that went to a dark place.
Like Natalie Portman Black Swan dark.
Can I give you some advice? You need to remember what's important here.
- And what's that? - You and Carly.
Vee and Cee.
Tegan and Sara.
This school is crazy competitive.
Hold on to your friends because, trust me, you'll need them.
- Alya, you're up.
- Name, age, height, agency.
- Alya Alya - Alya Alya I guess your parents didn't have much of an imagination.
(girl laughing) - I can't believe this is happening again.
- So, what are you going to be singing for us today, Alya Alya? - Uh, I have - a - Any time now.
- Right.
Ah ah I - I'm sorry, let me stop you right there.
I can't cast you if you freeze up.
So either get over whatever you're dealing with or stop wasting my tim - OK, that'll be all.
Way to really get into that role, Bianca.
- You're welcome.
- Why don't you take a break, Alya.
And Bianca, - you're on deck.
- Not a problem.
Next.
- Hi.
I'm Bianca Blackwell, I'm 14, 5'3, and I'm with Thorn McGillis at MCG Talent.
And today, I will be singing a very special cover of Believe in Yourself.
I'm really starting to hate this girl.
I figured it out.
You and Miles, - You're his uncle.
- Excuse me? - Second cousins? - Jax, have you done any work on the assignment? - How could I? He wouldn't let me use my phone! Fine.
You're not related.
Childhood music teacher? Family friend? - Miles is a student at this school just like you and everyone else.
- Oh, I know.
He's got dirt on you.
- Mr.
Gardner I suggest you mind your own business and focus all of this creative energy into finishing your song, which, I may remind you, is due tomorrow.
Sorry.
Mr.
Park, is it OK if I, uh? Looking forward to hearing what you come up with tomorrow.
Back to work.
- Alright, OK.
Minding my own business.
Oh, I got you now, pretty boy.
So remember, be yourself.
Everyone can learn lyrics, but what you bring to the table is you.
(bell ringing) You okay? Yes, I am.
I'm totally fine.
- And by all of that, you mean totally not fine? Bianca just gets to me.
She's so good at pretty much everything, - and I'm, well, me.
- Whoa! You need to put a lid on the pity parties.
You can't let girls like Bianca get you down.
- Easier said than done.
She's perfect.
- No one is perfect.
Look, I had a Bianca in my freshman year.
- How did you deal? - By working really hard and not having pity parties.
Only one of us is still here by the way.
- I wish I had your confidence.
- OK, I know I shouldn't get in the middle of things with these two, but getting in the middle of things is kind of my thing.
Everyone has their issues, even perfect Bianca.
- Hmm I don't know about that.
- You didn't hear this from me Carly is killing this dance right now.
I'm so proud of her.
I mean, I would be if I wasn't so mad at her.
I didn't hate it.
That was amazing.
I was, like, one honey wagon away from Channing.
He's SO electric in real life.
He has this aura.
I know I'm kind of a big deal, but it's not polite to stare.
- You didn't have to pick on me in there.
- I can't help it if I'm more experienced.
After a hundred or so casting calls, you pick up a few things.
- Yeah, if we all had mothers who were casting agents, we'd have experience too.
- Yeah, it's true.
My mom might get me in the door, but it's my talent that lands me the roles.
- True but we both auditioned to get into Keaton, and we both got in, so I guess that means I must have a little bit of talent too.
Later! I'm still shaking.
(bell ringing) Is it a jerk move to rat out another guy? Sure.
I mean unless they're doing something illegal.
Hey, Mr.
Park.
Sorry to bug you, but, um, I found Miles' phone, and, uh well, it has some suspicious activity on it I thought you should see.
"Your drugs are ready.
" Drugs! (Scoffing) There is no way Park could let this go.
- Thanks, Jax.
I'll take it from here.
(Carly laughing) - (Carly): No, give it back.
- Oh! Come on.
Hey, Carly, can we talk? You were really great out there.
- Oh yeah? You mean for a non-Prima? - I'm so sorry, Cee.
I had no right to teach Jenna our dance and I totally get that now What can I say? I'm a sucker for a happy ending.
- I just want everything to go back to how it was Cee and Vee.
(loud music playing) I don't wanna hear it I don't wanna hear it no more - Point taken.
- Did you feel that chill? This is a cold war, ladies and gents, and it's only the beginning.
- Hey, I don't wanna hear it I don't wanna hear it no more You can pack your bags and hit the road 'Cause I don't wanna hear it no more Hey Hey, I don't wanna hear it I don't wanna hear it no more Hey, I don't wanna hear it I don't wanna hear it no more You can pack your bags and hit the road 'Cause I don't want to hear it no more