NZ Next Step for Disney’s Brittany

Brittany Raymond is living every tweens dream. Starring in the Disney Channel series The Next Step means Raymond gets to dance in front of an international audience for a living.

The mockumentary format show follows the lives and dramas of the pupils at a dance school – a show so successful it’s now touring worldwide with an interactive show that encourages audiences to get involved.

How did you become involved?

I’ve been competing my whole life as a dancer and when I was in high school I was competing at a studio in Brampton, Ontario, and the casting director for the Next Step contacted the studio owner and asked for a bunch of dancers who look like they are in high school to come audition and that’s where the whole process started. About a year later I actually got cast as Riley, but it was a long process. It was definitely life-changing.

What can people expect to see at the live show?

They can expect to see more dancers because there are 10 cast members coming this time which will be great. And, of course, you get to interact with us as well. There are meet and greets that you can buy tickets for and there will be question and answer sessions where they get to ask some questions on stage.

What’s it like being a Disney star?

It’s strange! I’ve never ever expected for the show itself to get to the level it is at now and it is an incredible experience. We have such amazing fans who are constantly loving and supporting us. It’s the reason we get to do things like the Next Step – Live On Stage tour because we get to perform in front of all these fans and do what we love.

Do you ever get recognised?

I do! ... it’s been a little overwhelming sometimes but it’s always great to see the fans and meet them in person.

How much practise goes into the show?

We do about two weeks’ rehearsals, then a tech rehearsal and then a dress rehearsal... that’s usually very gruelling because we have to be rehearsing everyday and learning all the choreography to get it into our bodies.

Have you ever been to New Zealand?

No... I’ve never been to New Zealand so I’m actually so excited just to see everything.

What do you know about us?

The only thing I know is that The Lord of the Rings was shot there!

What advice would you give to kids wanting to do what you do?

I would basically say keep trying to give yourself as much exposure as you can and don’t be afraid to fail because like anything in life failure is inevitable and no matter what you just have to keep trying.

For me, I almost didn’t go to The Next Step audition because I thought I wasn’t going to book it and my dad was actually the one who said to me ‘‘No Britt you have to go because you never know what would happen’’ and I’m so happy that he made me go because it totally changed my life. – Fleur Mealing

The Next Step – Live on Stage: Christchurch, Horncastle Arena, April 26; Wellington, St James Theatre, April 28; Auckland, Vector Arena, April 30.

‘‘I’ve never ever expected for the show itself to get to the level it is at now and it is an incredible experience.’’ Disney Channel star Brittany Raymond