Meet the Cast of ‘Taking The Stage’!

MTV and Nick Lachey spotlight some of the nation’s most talented performing arts students in the reality musical series called Taking the Stage. The show premiers Thursday, March 19 at 10p.m. EST/PST

The show will follow the lives of five talented students at the School For Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) in Cincinnati, Ohio. A reality musical series executive produced by feature film and theatre producer Marc Platt who also serves as creative consultant (Honey, Legally Blonde, Nine, Broadway Musical Wicked), the show is the first of its kind to be scored with music performed by cast members in-scene. Each episode of Taking The Stage will feature songs and dance routines written and choreographed by the cast.

While they are some of the most talented teenagers in the country, they will still have to navigate the same trials and insecurities that all teenagers face which are obstacles that threaten their chances at success. The enormous pressure to make good grades, demanding rehearsal schedules, changing friendships and first loves, will keep them striving to find balance. As these rising stars pursue their goals, cameras will be there to capture the ups and downs, the adulations and tears, and that moment when they risk it all to take the stage and claim it as their own.

Tons more …

The cast of Taking The Stage:

Jasmine – A prima ballerina who dreams of attending New York performing arts conservatory The Juilliard School after graduating from SCPA.

Mia – A singer-songwriter whose talent is matched only by her drive and her goal is to be signed by the time she is 18.

Tyler – A gifted hip-hop dancer, he is new to SCPA where he joins his little brother Chris (also a dancer and already a student) and attracts attention from everyone at the school.

Malik – Jasmine’s best friend and leads the school’s only hip-hop dance group, “The Definition.” In addition to his formidable dance skills, he is also a talented choreographer and a singer/songwriter.

Shaakira – A dancer and aspiring actress, she is also an accomplished ballet dancer — one of the best SCPA has ever produced — but prefers hip-hop dance and is an integral member of Malik’s team.

In the premiere episode, SCPA students are buzzing about an upcoming school talent showcase where the students will get to perform in front of judges made-up of music industry professionals including an executive from Jive Records. Tyler is new to the school and while Malik’s and Shaakira’s dance crew is the reigning hip-hop troupe in the school, he’s more than ready to give them some long-overdue competition. Jasmine finds herself torn between her growing attraction to Tyler and her loyalty to Malik. Mia is working on an original song she wants to perform but wonders if her boyfriend will be there for her on the biggest night of her life. In order to perform well and get what could be their first big break, these students will have to fight through the personal drama in order to focus and impress the judges on show night.

Image Credited to Eric Johnson/MTV