Local dancer enjoying the limelight on The Next Step

March 11, 2015 · 0 Comments

By Mark Pavilons
Schomberg’s Samantha Grecchi is living the dream.
Grecchi is better known as “Stephanie” to her legion of fans of the hit TV show The Next Step. The Family Channel series returns for its third season March 16 and will have fans glued to their sets.
The Next Step follows the lives of an elite group of young dancers who train at The Next Step Studio. After winning Nationals, A-troupe’s celebration is cut short when they are evicted from their studio. The only way to keep their spot at International is to merge with their arch-rivals, Elite Dance Studio. The dancers must learn to put their differences aside and work together in order to show the world what they’re really made of.
Sam loves her role of Stephanie because they’re a lot alike. Grecchi likes the fact Stephanie is strong, a loyal friend and that proverbial “triple threat” – a strong dancer, singer and actor.
The story line is interesting and mimics real life, especially the goings-on in the world of dance. Grecchi should know, because she has spent most of her life in that realm.
Her fellow cast members are simply “amazing” and they’re all the best of friends on and off the set. They see each other regularly since most live within the GTA.
The show is popular among its main audience of teens and pre-teens, especially those who love to dance.
Grecchi said this has opened many doors for her and she’s met so many interesting people. She joined the show after graduating from high school so now she’s concentrating on her career. Post-secondary education will always be there, but for now, Grecchi is honing her skills to be that triple threat. She’s following her dream and doesn’t want to pass up on this amazing opportunity.
It’s a lot of work, and when the cast is filming during the summer months it’s “crazy,” Grecchi admitted.
Grecchi began dance classes at the age of six at Art and Soul Dance Company in Kleinburg. She has represented Canada at international competitions in Las Vegas, and at the world championships of dance in Germany. Samantha has performed in many festivals across the world including The Toronto International Festival in 2010.
The season premiers Monday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. with new episodes airing every weeknight leading up to the mid-season finale in April.
In advance of the season opener, fans can relive the A-Troupe’s Nationals win – and get a refresher on the dancers’ most recent dilemmas – with a never-before-seen extended episode of the season two finale on Friday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. Immediately following the emotional episode viewers can stay tuned for a special sneak peek of what’s to come in season three.
“From the series’ consistent ratings to the sold-out national Live on Stage tour, we are thrilled by the overwhelming demand from our audience to produce anything and everything for The Next Step,” said Michael Goldsmith, director, Original Programming, DHX Television. “By delivering brand new episodes daily through linear broadcast, next-day SVOD availability and online streaming, we can offer the best possible viewing experience to our fans. And, with so many viewing options available, our viewers won’t have to worry about missing any of the spectacular dances and story lines.”
Season two left off on a cliffhanger with the future of The Next Step – and the A-Troupe’s chance to compete at Internationals – hanging in the balance. After receiving an eviction notice, rival dance academy, Elite, came to the studio with an interesting offer: merge the two studios to create a hybrid team for the International competition. Season three kicks off with the A-Troupe dancers grappling with a tough decision. Can they learn to work with their arch-rivals, or will they risk forfeiting their spot at Internationals?
The Next Step stars 2015 Canadian Screen Award nominee Brittany Raymond as Riley; Victoria Baldesarra as Michelle; Alexandra Beaton as Emily; Trevor Tordjman as James; Isaac Lupien as Eldon; Lamar Johnson as West; Jennifer Pappas as Chloe; Logan Fabbro as Amanda; Taveeta Szymanowicz as Thalia; Samantha Grecchi as Stephanie; Brennan Clost as Daniel; Zac Vran as Hunter; Bree Wasylenko as Kate; Natalie Krill as Phoebe and So You Think You Can Dance Canada season four winner Jordan Clark as Giselle.
Additionally, several returning cast members will be brought to centre stage with exciting new story lines including Myles Erlick as J-Troupe dancer Noah, along with Devon Michael Brown as Max and Cierra Healey as Cierra, members of Elite Dance Academy. The cast also welcomes newcomer Ella Gilling, a semi-finalist on season two of the United Kingdom’s live-talent television show Got To Dance, in a recurring role.
A recipient of the 2013 Shaw Rocket Prize and the 2013 Digi Award for The Next Step Interactive, The Next Step was recently nominated for three 2015 Canadian Screen Awards. Nominations include: Best Children’s or Youth Fiction Program or Series; Best Writing in a Children’s of Youth Program or Series; and Best Performance in a Children’s or Youth Program or Series for Brittany Raymond.
The Next Step is produced by Temple Street Productions and is executive produced by Frank van Keeken (Wingin’ It, Kids in the Hall, Billable Hours), Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier (Orphan Black, Being Erica, Wingin’ It). BBC Worldwide has acquired international distribution rights. The Next Step is also produced with the financial assistance from The Shaw Rocket Fund and the Canada Media Fund.