Step It Up
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Dance reality led by tough-talking, inspirational teacher.
Add rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Step It Up
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
STEP IT UP is a reality show about the Young Contemporary Dance Theatre (YCDT), an inner-city dance company run by Miami-based professional dancer Traci Young-Byron. The no-nonsense, bat-wielding dance instructor carefully selects young men and women who have the potential talent, confidence, and willingness to work hard and be outstanding representatives of her company. Without accepting excuses, complaints, or anything but the best, she trains and mentors them to be self-confident, mature, and goal-oriented individuals. She's intimidating, but her dancers (and their parents) are grateful for the opportunity to work with her, because they know that they will not only become better dancers, but better people.
Is It Any Good?
It's a pleasure to watch this professional dancer use her talent and education to give back to her community, offering young African American people opportunities through dance and discipline. Young-Byron's unapologetic, tough-love approach is guided by her own personal experiences as a dancer as well as her inner-city childhood, but it's clear that she's preparing them to cope with pressure, rejection, and other life challenges by teaching them to work harder for something better.
Much of the show centers around dance practice sessions, which are often intense as Young-Byron scrutinizes technique and singles out the dancers who are struggling or underperforming. But unlike similar dance-themed reality shows, there's no "mama drama." Instead, parents celebrate the fact that someone is showing their children that they can rise above difficult circumstances and be successful in life if they are committed to it. These positive messages, along with entertaining dance performances, make it worth watching.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how dance and other art forms can help people live better lives. What kinds of life skills can you learn from learning to dance, paint, sing, or perform music? What opportunities exist for people who study the arts? Can people make a living doing these things, or are they best left as hobbies?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 25, 2015
- Network: Lifetime
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: June 1, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Reality TV for the Whole Family
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate