Ep 1. Auditions #1 Dallas and New York

The Emmy Award-winning dance competition show is back for its ninth season, and the auditions are starting off with a bang in Dallas and New York City. The judges - renowned choreographer Mary Murphy, ballroom dancer Louis van Amstel, and hip-hop choreographer Lil' C - are on the lookout for the best dancers across all styles, from contemporary and jazz to ballroom and tap.

In Dallas, the auditions kick off with a fun-filled group number featuring some of the city's most talented dancers, but things quickly heat up as the solo performances begin. The judges are looking for dancers who can stand out in a crowd, and they aren't afraid to give tough criticism to those who don't make the cut.

One standout performer is a contemporary dancer named Rachel, who wows the judges with her emotional performance and stunning technique. Her powerful leaps and fluid movements leave the judges in awe, and Lil' C describes her as "a star in the making."

Another memorable audition comes from a tap dancer named Sam, who brings an infectious energy to the stage. His fast-paced footwork and dynamic presence impresses the judges, and Mary Murphy comments that "you're like a little firecracker."

As the auditions move to New York City, the dancers continue to bring their A-game. There's a wide array of styles on display, from ballroom to contemporary to krump. The judges are particularly impressed by a hip-hop dancer named Marcus, who brings a unique mix of animated and robotic movements to his performance. Louis van Amstel declares him "the best hip-hop dancer we've seen so far."

Another standout performance comes from a contemporary dancer named Ashley, who delivers an emotionally charged routine that has the judges in tears. Her fluid movement style and strong technical skills make her a top contender for the competition.

But not every audition goes smoothly. One young dancer named Simon struggles to keep up with the choreography, and Lil' C gives him some tough love, telling him that "you need more seasoning." It's a hard lesson for Simon to learn, but he takes it in stride and vows to come back stronger next year.

As the auditions wrap up, the judges have their work cut out for them. With so many talented dancers to choose from, they'll have to make some difficult decisions in order to find the best of the best. But one thing is clear - this season of So You Think You Can Dance is off to an incredible start, and the competition is only going to get more intense from here.