Exclusive Q&A with NBC World of Dance’s Str8Jacket
This is a cross post, original post is from here
This hip-hop group burst onto the NBC World of Dance stage and spread their message of acceptance with their no-audition policy. Check out Str8Jacket’s division winning routine below and see what they were most nervous about before the Qualifiers in this exclusive Q&A with WOD Magazine.
WOD: HOW DID IT FEEL WHEN YOU FOUND OUT YOU’D BE ON SEASON 3?
SJ: A group of us were sitting in a giant van on the way back from a dance competition in LA and our Director, JC, got a phone call. We could only hear what he was saying, not the other end of the line but somehow we figured out it was WOD. Everyone started making frantic eye contact and whispering and JC kept motioning for us to be quiet. We could tell he was trying to contain his excitement. When JC got off the phone, he told us we would be on the show and we all started screaming!
WOD: WHAT STYLE ARE YOU PERFORMING, AND WHY?
SJ: We are performing hip hop. Our team believes that anyone who has the passion and drive can become a dancer. We are a no-audition based team from the Bay Area that keeps our doors open to anyone who wants to learn.
WOD: WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED OR NERVOUS ABOUT BEING ON THE SHOW?
SJ: We are nervous about the outcome of the performance since one of our dancers, Alan Chung, sustained an injury during the filming but he pushed through and kept on going.
WOD: WHY DO YOU THINK DANCE IS IMPORTANT TO THE WORLD?
SJ: Because dance is an art that allows us to connect with people from all over the world regardless of race, language, culture, and background. Dancing also keeps us healthy both mentally and physically.
WOD: WHAT CAUSE IS CLOSE TO YOUR HEARTS?
SJ: We want more people around the world to be aware of and care about sustainability including the environment, agriculture, animal welfare, and more. We are still learning and trying to improve our habits as well.
Megan Feighery
Megan is a writer, animal lover, and coffee enthusiast with a passion for traveling and mystery novels.