Hear from Twith, Comfort, Thayne, and Kherington!
Part 1
By Randall Flinn
Confident, poised, polite and polished with a noticeable residue of weariness, four of America’s favorite prime-time dance movers collectively filed in for what may have appeared to be just another routine interview among many within their present journeys. Unexpected circumstances and perhaps some touch of divine destiny offered this interviewer the pure pleasure of being the only media representative to appear for the Houston road-stop for the national tour of SYTYCD. As a professional choreographer, dance lover, and big fan of the show, this was a dream rendezvous with the fabulous foursome of Twitch, Comfort, Thayne, and Kherington. The refined protocol of routine interview seemed to fade to the ease of “keeping it real” as America’s new dance idols were able to be themselves around someone who understood the dancing life and all that surrounds it. Everyone was eager to open their hearts and share some deeply personal, insightful and humorous events from their recent experiences in the limelight and what life might look like after the present glory fades.
Twitch explained how he began dancing at age sixteen in dance clubs with popping, locking and some B-Boy moves. “I was horrible at it, but it’s where I began. If it had been the Roger Rabbit days, I would have killed it, but this stuff was hard.” Comfort agrees, “I was the little girl that was battling with the guys and they weren’t cutting me any slack, but it made me step up.” Thayne shares about his own battles in beginning with contemporary dance training only six short years ago through the strong advice of a musical theatre coach who wisely suggested dance training. “They told me that I sucked at dance, so I got busy and started taking ballet and jazz classes to improve my game.”
Kherington wittingly shares her dance history as she exclaims, “My mom put me in dance at two years old, and yes, I was the star baby in diapers running around the studio and of course my mom knew I was the best.” Twitch advises that dancers not only look at the stage performance opportunities that dance offers but to also be open to getting involved in dance media, film, and dance education. “When I first started I thought it was all about roasting others in the circle of a dance battle. Now I realize there is so much more and I want to be open to teaching and the training of others to raise them up for their future, mainly being able to give back in some way.”
Comfort says, “I thought my future would be in track and field until I got injured and had to let go of that dream, so now I want to think outside the box, not just being a dancer in a narrow sense, but being a good entertainer and developing other talents and gifts.” Thayne agrees, “I want to be able to perform in many aspects of the arts, dance being one of them but also to broaden my horizons.” For Kherington there were times of great uncertainty about pursuing a career in dance. Kherington reveals, “I pursued nursing school very unsure about what dance had in store for me. I thought maybe this was just a hobby, but somehow it brought me back.”
Twitch says, “SYTYCD influenced, challenged and changed me, it showed me there are no limits, that this street dancer could do ballroom and contemporary and other styles outside his comfort zone. You have to push yourself, you have to grow, you have to stay positive and believe in what you’ve been given.” With a sigh of laugher, Comfort confesses, “It tried to break me twice. I’m lucky my spirit is still up. I know Jesus had my back. You have some mixed
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