I’m not a huge fan of Centre Stage. I’m a FAN of the dance film, absolutely. Love it! But it’s not like I’ve seen it over ten times or spent an inordinate amount of time practicing to join the American Ballet Academy.
[jwplayer r9SlIwU8]
What I mean is, I haven’t seen the film so many times that it’s understandable the script would become a part of my brain. But somehow, parts of it have.
Aside from say, Mean Girls, Centre Stage has probably scored the prize of most film quotes I’ve incorporated into real life. Which is weird, because it’s not a funny movie… and it’s about BALLET.
I rewatched it recently and realised just how many lines I use all the time. It’s a lot. I decided to write them all down for you, in case you’d forgotten the script gold from this flick.
1. “I’m The Best Goddamn Dancer In The American Ballet Academy…”
Who the hell are you? Nobody. I use this line, delivered by the iconic Maureen, when I’m drunk and can’t get into a bar because it’s full. Example:
I generally fuck it up.
Fun fact: a friend of mine told me her WIFI was called “Thebestgoddamndancerintheamericanballetacademy” and the password was “whothehellareyou”. Amazing stuff.
2. “Yeah, We’ll See Ya… At The Dorm”
There’s no gif for this scene so I just picked one of my fave moments, sorry about it. Anyway, after her PHENOMENAL final performance, Jodie’s parents come backstage amidst all the flurry of dancers thanking each other and chookasing etc. Anyway, it’s a LOT and Jodie’s like “see you at the dorm later?” and runs off. Then her dad looks on proudly and says to no-one “yeah, we’ll see ya. At the dorm.”
I seem to say this a lot when people are like “see ya later?” or whatever. No one knows where it’s from and I just sound like a crazy person obsessed with American college or something.
3. “Dance The Shit Out Of It”
Before the GREATEST dance sequence in this film, do not @ me on this, the dance teacher of that downtown grimy cool studio is all “now don’t THINK about the MOVES!!!! Just DANCE THE SHIT OUT OF IT!” in this guttural moan voice while shaking her fists. It’s a vibe, and now I say it whenever I’m on a dance floor and an absolute banger comes on.
4. “Brace Yourself For What’s Next”
Before Cooper Nielsen’s choreographed final dance (amazing, phenomenal, excellent), Seth’s dad from The OC says to his ballet girlfriend “well brace yourself for what’s next”, but he says it all garbled like he’s got a marble in his mouth or something? Anyway, for some reason my sister and I find this really funny and now we say it to ourselves when… well for no reason. We just say it sometimes because we’re weird.
5. “Oh, No Sweat!”
So when Eva goes to her first class, she saunters in late with her hair out and chewing gum etc. At some point the teacher lady is like “thank you for joining us” all smunty and shit, and Eva bites back with “Oh, no sweat!”
I just say this when someone’s being smunty at me for similar reasons, tbh.
6. “You’re A Great Dancer Cooper, But As A Boyfriend… You Kinda Suck”
Who else was looking at his dick here, DON’T LIE.
Anyway that’s all, it’s Friday, this is a dumb yet fun story and you’re probably going home tonight to watch Centre Stage, right? I fucking am.
I’m gonna leave you with what you all came for.
FUCK YEAH THE LINE DANCE AND HOW SHE CHANGED INTO RED SHOES AND ALL NEW MAKEUP AND A RED DRESS AND NEW HAIR IN LIKE, ONE SECOND, SO UNREALISTIC I LOVE IT.
