Interview: Step Up With Orlando Lucas
Written by Lindsey V. Britt / Photos by Henk Tomkins
Canadian Dancer, Choreographer, Director, and Actor Orlando Lucas took a chance and moved halfway around the world to New Zealand to take his dancing skills to the next level.
What got you into dancing?
It actually started after I watched one of the Step Up movies when I was really young. I was completely blown away by the energy, the music, and the way dancers could tell a story without saying a word. I remember turning to my parents right after and asking if I could take hip-hop lessons. From there, it just took off—I trained hard, joined crews, and started competing. What started as a fun activity turned into a true passion and eventually a lifestyle. Dance helped me find my voice and provided a way to express myself that felt completely natural.
How did you end up moving to New Zealand?
After I finished high school, I knew I wanted to keep pushing myself as a performer and take dance to the next level. New Zealand has this amazing dance scene, with some of the top crews and choreographers in the world. Competing internationally, we saw the calibre of dancing from some of the New Zealand crews. When I got the chance to audition for one of these crews, Identity Dance Company (IDCO), I went for it. What made it even more special was that my sister, Ella, who’s also a dancer and an actor, auditioned too—and we both got in. So we decided to move together. It was a huge change, but one of the best decisions we’ve made. We trained nearly every day. I competed with IDCO and Crew 24, and earned silver medals with both crews at the World Dance Crew Championships. We have also had multiple incredible performance opportunities there with incredible dancers and choreographers. The whole experience really helped us grow, not just as dancers, but as people.
What’s been your favorite thing about living in New Zealand so far?
My favorite thing about living in New Zealand has definitely been the dance community. The energy, creativity, and support here are on another level. I’ve had the chance to be part of so many different dance groups and meet dancers from all over, each bringing their own style and perspective. It’s really opened me up to new ways of moving and pushed me to become a more versatile performer. One of the biggest things for me has been the chance to explore my choreographic side. Being in such a creative environment, I’ve had the opportunity actually to choreograph pieces, which has been super exciting. I’ve always been interested in the directing side of the acting world—I even got to write and direct a one act play back in high school—and I’m starting to see how choreography is a similar kind of creative leadership in the dance world. It’s been amazing to expand my skills in that area and start developing my own voice as a choreographer, not just a dancer. And beyond the training, I’ve made lifelong friends and built connections that will always be part of my journey. New Zealand has really helped shape who I am—not just as a dancer, but as an artist.
Being an actor, will you be joining the New Zealand film industry?
Acting has always been a huge part of who I am, but since moving to New Zealand, I’ve been entirely focused on dance. I came here with the goal of leveling up in a way I couldn’t back home in Canada, where the competitive and performance opportunities for dance were more limited. New Zealand gave me the chance to train at an elite level, join incredible crews, and explore styles I hadn’t tried before. It’s been non-stop, so I haven’t had the time to pursue acting while I’ve been here, and that was intentional.
That said, I grew up working in the Vancouver film scene—known as ‘Hollywood North’—and that experience provided me with a strong foundation early on. Now, with everything I’ve gained through dance here in New Zealand, I’m heading back to North America with a whole new perspective. I’m especially excited about the idea of combining my two passions—dance and acting—on screen. Whether it’s in film, TV, or even stage work, I feel more prepared than ever to merge those worlds in creative ways.
What is your favorite project that you have worked on?
That’s such a tough question because I’ve had the chance to work on some really special projects in both acting and dance. In terms of acting, The Unforgivable stands out because it was such a surreal experience to be part of a Hollywood blockbuster and share scenes with absolute icons like Viola Davis, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Sandra Bullock. It was one of those ‘pinch-me’ moments. But I also have a soft spot for iZombie—I was part of a cast of other kids, and it was honestly just so much fun. It felt like one big hangout, even when we were shooting intense scenes. And Altered Carbon was a whole different vibe—those futuristic sets were next level, and Anthony Mackie was super down to earth and fun to hang out with between scenes.
On the dance side, one of my favorite moments has to be our headlining performance at World of Dance in LA. Training with my new crew in New Zealand was incredible, and performing with them was next-level—the dancers I had looked up to and moved across the world to train with. That performance was electrifying. Not only was it on a massive stage in North America, but I had friends and family in the audience. It felt like a full-circle moment where I got to show them exactly why I made the move to New Zealand—to grow, to train, and to be part of something bigger. It was one of the most meaningful performances of my career so far.
How do you think TikTok has changed the game in the dancing world?
TikTok has completely revolutionized the dance scene. It’s opened people up to so many different styles of dance that they might not have been exposed to otherwise. Suddenly, you can scroll through your feed and see everything from hip-hop to house to waacking to contemporary—and that kind of exposure has made dance way more accessible and exciting for a much bigger audience. The publicity for dance has exploded because of social media. TikTok, in particular, has helped dancers gain visibility, not just within the dance world but also among the general public. People who aren’t professional dancers are becoming more interested in learning, appreciating, and sharing new styles—and they’re looking up to dancers they follow online. That kind of recognition gives dancers a real chance to be noticed and build an audience. Personally, I’ve connected with so many dancers through TikTok that I might never have met otherwise, and some of those connections have led to collaborations I’m really proud of. It’s built this global community of dancers and creators who inspire and push each other. It’s not just about trends—it’s become a space where creativity, culture, and connection come together in a truly powerful way.
Would you say the dance world is as depicted on shows like Dance Academy, Bunheads, and Tiny Pretty Things?
Those shows capture the intensity and passion that dancers possess, but like any TV drama, they dial up the drama for entertainment. In real life, the dance world can be just as competitive and emotional, but it’s also filled with joy, community, and mutual respect—especially in the spaces where I’ve trained. Shows like Dance Academy, Bunheads, and Tiny Pretty Things often focus on ballet or elite academy settings, which are only one side of the dance world. Coming from a hip-hop and street dance background, I’ve experienced a different kind of environment—still intense and demanding, but way more collaborative and creatively open. The real dance world is less about backstabbing and sabotage, and more about pushing each other to grow and celebrating wins together. That said, the shows do reflect the sacrifices dancers make, how personal it all feels, and the pressure to be your best. But behind the scenes, it’s often a lot more support, sweat, and team spirit than TV gives us credit for. The dance world is intense, but thankfully, no one has tried to sabotage my shoes... yet.
Is there a choreographer you’d love to work with?
Absolutely—Melvin Timtim and Sean Lew are two choreographers I’ve looked up to for a long time. They are both from Los Angeles. Melvin’s style is so sharp, innovative, and musical—it’s impossible not to be inspired by his work. I got to meet and learn from him when he came to New Zealand, which was a full-circle moment for me because watching his crew S-Rank on World of Dance was a huge reason I started taking dance seriously. Working with him on a project would be unreal. And Sean Lew is just a next-level artist. The way he combines emotion, storytelling, and technique in his choreography is insane. He has such a unique, creative voice, and I admire how fearless he is in bringing his whole self to his work. I’d love the opportunity to collaborate with someone like him who pushes boundaries and turns choreography into something cinematic.
What dance film would you love to be a part of?
Step Up, hands down. That movie is what first got me into dance—I watched it when I was young, and it completely blew my mind. The energy, the storytelling through movement, the way the dancers owned the screen—it made me want to be a part of something like that. It’s one of those iconic dance film series that blends emotion, performance, and incredible choreography. Being part of a Step Up film would honestly be a full-circle moment for me, especially now that I’ve spent years training and performing. That’s the kind of project I dreamed about when I first asked my parents to sign me up for hip-hop classes.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I envision myself on tour, dancing and choreographing all over the world, collaborating with artists I admire, and performing on the biggest stages—but another goal I have is to be on screen, acting in a series or film that combines both my passions. Whether I’m creating choreography for a live show or performing in a role that involves movement and storytelling, I strive to continually push the boundaries of what’s possible as a dancer and an actor. I grew up in both worlds, and I’d love to bring them together—on stage, on tour, and on screen. That’s the dream.
What projects do you have in the works?
I’ve got a packed summer coming up with two major international competitions. First is World of Dance in Los Angeles, which brings together dancers from all styles worldwide. I’ll be competing with a team called The Collective—it’s a group of dancers and choreographers from New Zealand, and we’re repping in the team category. Then there’s Hip Hop International, which is basically the Olympics of hip-hop dance. I’m representing New Zealand in the adult division with my crew, Crew 24. We won gold at the New Zealand National qualifiers, so we’re super excited to bring that energy to the international stage.
Additionally, I’m directing a final video project here in New Zealand before returning to North America. It’s a music video–style concept piece featuring a bunch of dancers I’ve worked with during my time here. I’m handling the creative direction, choreography, and the whole production. It’s a chance for me to combine my love of dance with my background in acting and directing—kind of a full-circle moment for me as a performer and creator.
I have to ask, in films, sometimes they have epic dance battles, are those real? If so, have you ever participated?
Yes—they’re definitely real! Sometimes at dance functions, parties, or even just after rehearsals, dancers will break into freestyle battles for fun. It’s high energy, super spontaneous, and honestly, one of the most fun parts of being in the dance community. We love to push each other and feed off the vibe—it’s all love and hype. However, there are also official dance battles that are significantly more structured, featuring judges, prize money, and substantial prestige. I’ve entered a few of those too and actually won one last year, which was such a proud moment. Whether it’s for fun or competition, battles are an amazing way to express yourself and test your freestyle skills. And yeah—sometimes they do feel like something straight out of a movie!
Do you have a recommendation? This can be anything you can think of.
If you’re into dance and looking for some major inspiration, I’d recommend watching World of Dance—especially the seasons with Keone and Mari, or The Kings. The creativity, precision, and storytelling in those performances are on a whole new level. It’s not just choreography—it’s choreography with meaning. Watching crews like that pushed me to level up my own dancing and think more about how to connect emotionally with an audience. If you’re a dancer or just love movement, it’s a must-watch.
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