Based on the success of the Disney Channel show Shake It Up, which focuses on two background dancers on a teen dance show, Disney Channel is launching the first ever talent competition created for kids and tweens. Titled Make Your Mark: Ultimate Dance Off – ‘Shake It Up’ edition, the competition will give kids the chance to submit their own videos of themselves dancing for a chance to perform in a dance-off to be aired in October on Disney Channel. Kids will have a chance to help choose the winner of the competition, who will receive a grand prize that includes a performance on an episode of Shake It Up.
From July 1 to August 3, kids ages 8-16, with parental consent, can submit their own dance videos to DisneyChannel.com/MakeYourMark. Videos must be no longer than 30 seconds longer, feature no more than five dancers, and can be made up of either choreographed or freestyle dance moves. Kids will be able to “like” their favorite videos on the website, and the favorites will be featured each week on Disney Channel and DisneyChannel.com.
Beginning July 7, a five-city talent search will begin for the competition, where kids and tweens will have the chance to record their videos onsite for online submission. The tour kicks off on August 5 at the Americana at Brand in Los Angeles, California. Additional stops will include Chicago (July 9), San Francisco (July 16), Atlanta (July 23), and Detroit (July 30).
In August, six finalists will be revealed on Disney Channel, who will then compete for a panel of celebrity judges on Make Your Mark: Ultimate Dance Off – ‘Shake It Up’ edition to air on Disney Channel in October 2011. The number of finalists will then be narrowed down to three, with the final vote left up to Disney Channel viewers.
Currently, viewers can get ready for the competition and polish their dance moves with online dance videos hosted by Shake It Up choregrapher Rosero McCoy and his assistant, Claude Racine. These videos teach kids and families dance moves from the show, and can be found at DisneyChannel.com/DanceStudio.
