Bittersweet | Dance Moms

DYING TO DANCE (s1 ep6)

Virella strolled into the studio with Chloe by her side, their laughter echoing softly as they recounted their sleepover antics from the weekend. They made their way over to Maddie, Paige, and Nia, settling in and chatting animatedly about everything from dance to the latest news at school. But as they shared stories and giggles, a quiet tension lingered in the back of each girl's mind—regionals were fast approaching, and they knew it wouldn't be long before Abby called them to attention.

After a few minutes, Abby's voice cut through their chatter. "Girls, let's get into Studio A. Now."

The group filed in, taking their places on the floor in front of Abby, who stood tall, hands on her hips, surveying each of them with a piercing look. There was an intensity in her eyes that hinted at the gravity of what was coming.

"I want to talk to you about this upcoming weekend," Abby began, her tone leaving no room for misunderstanding. "It's regionals." Her words hung in the air, weighty and undeniable. "Everybody knows how important this is."

The girls exchanged glances, excitement mixing with nervousness as they felt the pressure of her expectations. They were familiar with the stakes of a regional competition, but hearing Abby spell it out made the responsibility all the more real.

"We're going to Starpower," she continued, pausing to make sure they fully understood the magnitude of her next words. "You know that's one of the toughest competitions out there."

Her gaze swept over them again, and the girls felt it, a surge of adrenaline and determination building inside them.

Virella

Maddie Chloe

Paige Brooke Nia Vivi Kenzie

Abby took a deep breath before addressing the group. Her eyes shifted between the dancers, her expression both serious and expectant. "This is what's going to happen for this weekend," she began, her voice firm. "Virella, new solo. Maddie, new solo. Brooke, new solo. Chloe, new solo."

The girls straightened, feeling the weight of her words. Receiving a solo at regionals was a significant opportunity, one that demanded their best. Abby continued, "The age categories are a little different this time. We want to make sure your dance reflects who you are as a dancer now—not at the beginning of the season."

Usually, Virella, Chloe, and Maddie would compete in the same age group, being close in age. But now, Maddie was in the eight-and-under category, while Virella and Chloe, a year older, were set to compete in the nine-to-eleven category. The shift gave Maddie a clear advantage by keeping her out of direct competition with Virella and Chloe, who were known for their strong performances.

Abby paused before continuing, her tone deepening. "We are doing a new group routine this weekend, and everybody is in it. The entire cast." She looked around, making sure each girl felt the gravity of her words. "It's called, Where Have All the Children Gone."

The title alone was enough to make the dancers shiver slightly. Abby went on, "This is a routine about children who go missing. You've all seen those faces on milk cartons. It's contemporary, it's mature, and it is very dark."

The girls' expressions grew serious, knowing this routine would demand them to dig deep emotionally. Abby's tone softened slightly, but her intensity remained. "You all have to be great actresses to pull this off. It's not just about the dancing—it's about creating the story, making the audience feel the sadness, the loss."

She gestured toward Elizabeth, who stood with Elle nearby. "You'll all be in white, like angels. Elizabeth, Elle will wear her duet costume from Soldier." Abby's eyes lingered on them as if making a final decision.