Winning a reality TV competition can open doors, but for Ricky Ubeda, the winner of Season 11 of “So You Think You Can Dance” (SYTYCD), the prize transcended the typical accolades. While the $250,000 prize was undoubtedly significant, it was the opportunity to make his Broadway debut that truly marked a pivotal moment in his burgeoning career. Ubeda’s win on “So You Think You Can Dance” catapulted him from the competitive dance world straight into the dazzling lights of Broadway, landing him an ensemble role in the acclaimed show On The Town. This wasn’t just a step, but a leap onto a new stage, proving that being the Winner So You Think Can Dance could lead to even greater heights.
Fresh from the high-energy “SYTYCD” tour, the then 19-year-old dancer found himself immersed in a completely new world – musical theater. In a recent interview, Ubeda shared his experiences navigating this exciting transition, revealing the challenges and triumphs of his Broadway journey after being crowned winner so you think can dance.
Stepping onto Broadway: A Surreal Dream
“Pretty surreal” is how Ubeda described the feeling of making his Broadway debut. For someone who hadn’t envisioned a Broadway career so early in his life, the reality was almost dreamlike. The speed at which it all happened added to the surreality. Imagine going from the competitive stage of “So You Think You Can Dance,” where every performance was a step closer to being named the winner so you think can dance, to the grand stage of Broadway in a matter of weeks. This quick transition highlighted the immense opportunities that winning SYTYCD could unlock, pushing winners into the spotlight of professional performing arts.
Trial by Fire: Broadway Rehearsals in Overdrive
The rehearsal period for Ubeda’s Broadway debut was anything but leisurely. With a mere three days to prepare, he was thrown into the deep end. Learning choreography at lightning speed became his immediate reality. “Just three days! I learned all the material from the dance captains,” Ubeda recounted. This rapid-fire learning curve was reminiscent of his time on “So You Think You Can Dance,” where contestants are constantly challenged to master new routines in incredibly short periods. This skill, honed under pressure in the dance competition, proved invaluable as he transitioned to Broadway. He further explained, “and then we had a put-in rehearsal with the entire company, but I didn’t do the full show in order until my first performance. So it was a little bit stressful!” The support of the company was crucial, highlighting the collaborative nature of Broadway compared to the individualistic competition of seeking to be the winner so you think can dance.
Beyond Dance: Embracing Acting and Singing
While Ubeda was celebrated as the winner so you think can dance for his exceptional dance skills, Broadway demanded more. Musical theater is a triple threat – singing, acting, and dancing. Ubeda, primarily a dancer, faced the challenge of incorporating acting and singing into his performance. “I never formally trained in either, and unfortunately I didn’t have time to prepare because I was on tour with ‘SYTYCD’,” he admitted. This honest acknowledgment of his initial lack of formal training in these areas makes his Broadway debut even more impressive. He embraced the challenge, learning on the job and absorbing knowledge from his experienced castmates. “But I’m learning a lot from all my castmates and doing the show every single night,” he added, emphasizing the invaluable learning experience Broadway offered.
SYTYCD vs. Broadway: Shifting Stages, Evolving Stakes
Reflecting on his journey from “So You Think You Can Dance” to Broadway, Ubeda drew comparisons between the two high-pressure environments. “On ‘So You Think You Can Dance,’ at the end of the day, someone was going home every week. It was a lot higher stakes because you could lose the experience in a blink of an eye,” he explained. The competitive nature of SYTYCD, where being eliminated was a constant threat, created a high-stakes atmosphere focused on individual survival and striving to be the winner so you think can dance.
Broadway, in contrast, presented a different dynamic. “Here, we’re all part of same team with the same objective to entertain and put on a great show,” Ubeda noted. This shift from individual competition to collaborative teamwork was a significant change. Broadway offered a sense of collective purpose, where the success of the show depended on the combined efforts of the entire cast and crew, a stark contrast to the individualistic pursuit of being the winner so you think can dance.
SYTYCD Skills: A Springboard to Broadway Success
Despite the differences, Ubeda acknowledged the crucial role “So You Think You Can Dance” played in preparing him for his Broadway debut. The rigorous training and performance demands of the show equipped him with essential skills. “How to learn choreography quickly! And performing for large audiences helped me to be comfortable performing on the stage here,” he stated. His ability to rapidly learn and execute complex choreography, a hallmark of SYTYCD, was directly transferable to the fast-paced world of Broadway rehearsals. Furthermore, performing in front of large television audiences on SYTYCD mitigated the pressure of performing on a Broadway stage, showcasing how being a winner so you think can dance provided a strong foundation for future success.
Thriving Amongst Talent: The Broadway Learning Curve
Ubeda humbly described the most challenging, yet rewarding, aspect of his Broadway experience: “Being around so many talented people. But it’s also the best thing.” Surrounded by seasoned musical theater professionals, he initially felt like an outsider. “I’m one of the only people in the cast who hasn’t trained in musical theater, and these people are such great examples to be learning from. I don’t feel like an outsider, but I am,” he reflected. This environment, while initially intimidating, became a powerful catalyst for growth. He embraced the opportunity to learn from the best, turning perceived challenges into invaluable learning experiences, proving that the journey of a winner so you think can dance is one of continuous learning and adaptation.
Encore on Broadway? A Future in Musical Theater
When asked about future Broadway endeavors, Ubeda’s enthusiasm was palpable. “Absolutely. It’s a lot of work doing eight shows a week. But it’s also the funnest thing ever,” he exclaimed. The demanding schedule of Broadway, with multiple shows per week, is undeniably rigorous, but for Ubeda, the joy and fulfillment outweighed the challenges. “I come home every night so happy and glowing. It’s like, ‘Wow, I just “worked.” ’” This positive outlook and sense of accomplishment strongly suggest that Ricky Ubeda’s Broadway debut is likely just the beginning of a bright and multifaceted career, proving that being the winner so you think can dance can indeed pave the way for a long and successful journey in the performing arts.
