New reality TV show "Playground" puts dance studio dramas center stage
The reality of a dance career is that it’s tough
New reality TV show "Playground" puts dance studio dramas center stage
Show all 5Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
![Louise Thomas](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/louise-thomas.png)
Louise Thomas
Editor
The reality of a dance career is that it’s tough. New Hulu reality series “Playground" doesn't shy away from that.
The show is set at the Playground dance studio in Los Angeles, home to famous hip hop choreographers and teachers, and documents the ups and downs of dancers who want to make it big.
“The struggle of a dancer is real,” says Playground co-owner, dancer and choreographer Kenny Wormald. “There’s a lot of competition and there’s a lot of pressure and I think that the show captures a lot of those moments.”
This week, British TV dance competition “Strictly Come Dancing” has been in the headlines after allegations of bullying from the professional dancers behind the scenes.
“Playground” doesn’t hide the clashes that go on at the Melrose Avenue location and puts any conflict centre stage. But it’s not all fighting over jobs or romantic rivalries between dancers.
Top musical talent like Tinashe and Megan Thee Stallion also appear on the show, which launches July 26, searching out the coolest new choreographers and dancers.
Hip hop superstar Megan is onboard the “Playground” series as executive producer.
“We held this big audition for some of her upcoming jobs, music videos and tours and shows and everything," Wormald said. "So to have her be a part of the show is amazing.”
Wormald spoke to The Associated Press at Playground’s London studio, which opened last September and saw him move to the U.K. with his family.
He said while the idea of a London-based show has come up, there's “less drama” in the British capital compared to Los Angeles.
He prefers it that way — though he added that studio co-owner, The Pussycat Dolls creator Robin Antin, “thrives” among the personality theatrics.
Wormald believes that the program will show young dancers steps they can take to the top, to reach the level of the successful dancers spotlighted in “Playground.”
His advice for people with the ambition to make dance their career is to find a studio where students can learn from the best of the best. It worked for Wormald — he joined Justin Timberlake’s 2007 tour after repeatedly taking classes with the star’s choreographer, Marty Kudelka.
“You just got to go for it. Go to LA, go to New York, go to London, go to Atlanta, wherever it is, and get in those classes because they’re all teaching. And now with Instagram, you can post your work,” he said. “Just putting yourself in those rooms and it’s only like $20 to take a class with your heroes.”
If you’re travelling abroad and want to stream Playground then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get the best VPN deals on the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.