Netflix just released Dance 100, a dance competition between choreographers who must direct seven to a hundred dancers over the course of the episodes. Competitors include Janick Arseneau, who has previously danced for Jennifer Lopez, Cardi B. and Rihanna, and who will be choreographing in the fall of the popular show Masked singers.
Originally from Bathurst, New Brunswick and now living in Montreal, Arseneau made a name for himself dancing in the United States for years. When told about a first televised competition between choreographers, the artist – who identifies as a non-binary person – loved the idea.
His enthusiasm was all the greater when he visualized himself directing dozens of performers. “Imagine working with 100 energies, 100 opinions and 100 personalities with their needs, figuring out how to exercise your authority so that all these beautiful people respect you and listen to you. »
PHOTO TOM DYMOND, PROVIDED BY NETFLIX
Janick Arseneau
The challenge scared me, but in life I believe that the more something scares me, the greater the reward can be in the end.
Janick Arseneau, choreographer
Unusual fact: the fate of choreographers is determined by the performers with whom they work. And not by celebrity judges. “As dancers, when we watch dance competitions on TV, we feel that the judges don’t always know what they are talking about and that they may not have the knowledge to decipher the dance. There, it is the dancers who have a voice. »
Moreover, Janick Arseneau says he has done everything to listen to their abilities and their needs. “We have to be smart enough to highlight everyone’s strengths. But at 100 dancers, who do we put forward? It gets harder and harder with each issue. Already it’s a huge challenge to create formations and visuals with so many people on stage. »
Dramatic elimination
The dancers tell the camera what they think of the choreographers in rehearsal. They comment on the good and less good moves in front of an audience after the numbers. And they determine who remains in the competition by moving behind the choreographers of their choice at the end of the episode. A moment under high tension. “The first time, I didn’t want to look, but I heard footsteps behind me. In addition, the production adds flashing lights and dramatic music. It’s really scary. If I compare to the elimination processes of the other shows in which I participated, this is the one that scared me the most. »
Indeed, the artist participated in So You Think You Can Dance Canada and to America’s Best Dance Crew. His past experiences therefore set the stage for Dance 100. “In any TV production, the team comes to find you at your most vulnerable to ask you questions and arouse an emotion. I knew what to expect. »
At 32, Arseneau claims to have a better defined identity than at 19, when Canadians discovered his talent. ” I know who I am. I am comfortable talking about my fiancée, representing the LGBTQ+ community and non-binary people to show that we exist, that we can live in happiness and be successful. It made a difference to have done two shows to prepare me for this one. »
Dance 100 is in his eyes the biggest experience of his career. “It’s on Netflix and it’s a global phenomenon. The show has only been online for a few days and I’m already getting loads of messages from people in Japan, Brazil, Portugal and Germany. I’m starting to realize the magnitude of it all. »
This visibility could change the rest of his life.
I’ve been executing other people’s ideas for years as a performer, but this time my creations are seen all over the planet. I hope this will open doors for me!
Janick Arseneau, choreographer
If his talent as a choreographer has been seen in small doses at The voice or in an issue of Marie-Mai in the past, the general public will be able to discover it more on the airwaves of TVA in the fall of 2023. “I will be the choreographer of the third season of Masked singers. The production offered me the contract before the release of Dance 100. It was a great validation that I was chosen for my talent and not to ride the Netflix wave. »
In the future, Janick Arseneau definitely wants to focus on choreography. “If I’m told that such an artist wants me to dance for her or that I’m asked to perform at the Super Bowl, I’m not going to refuse. But I want to put all my attention on my career as a choreographer and my Bee-Yond Belief dance program, which I manage with my partner. »