Center Stage: Turn It Up

Kate Parker says goodbye to her friends and her little sister Bella in Detroit as she leaves home for an audition at the American Ballet Academy. She carries the hope of joining the greatest dance school in America. The moment sets the emotional stakes for her journey to chase a dream in New York.

Kate travels to the American Ballet Academy for her audition, but she is not selected. An argument between the school director Jonathan and teacher Cooper Nielson leads to Suzanne Von Stroh being chosen instead. The decision reshuffles opportunities and sows rivalry within the program.

Tommy Anderson is initially stunned, believing Kate passed and would join the academy. He soon learns she was rejected and is paired with Suzanne instead. The news shifts his expectations and heightens competition among the would-be stars.

Homeless and determined, Kate goes to The Foundry, a New York nightclub, where she meets Tommy and Sal, the club's owner. Her energy and dancing impress them, earning her a job at the club and a place to sleep in the upstairs office. With no apartment, she agrees to help Tommy learn his dance in exchange for pay.

Kate finds an apartment and begins formal dance classes. Tommy impresses choreographer Monica Straus and is given the opportunity to dance with Suzanne, raising his profile.

As they train together, Kate and Tommy develop feelings and become a couple, creating both inspiration and tension amid Suzanne's presence.

At a gala, Kate witnesses Tommy dancing with Suzanne and sees Suzanne kiss him. The moment triggers heartbreak and solidifies Kate's realization that her place in the academy may be slipping away.

The next day, Bella brings Kate to the ABA campus and waits with her as Kate confesses that she was not accepted. Overwhelmed, Kate decides to give up on dancing and return home to Detroit with Bella. The weight of the rejection pushes her toward a quiet exit from her dream.

In the morning after, Bella shows Kate a leaflet advertising an audition for The Glass Slipper, a Broadway ballet version of Cinderella. They decide to give Kate one last shot at her dream and rekindle her resolve to perform.

Kate competes in the final audition with two other girls and three boys, including Tommy. Monica Strauss asks Tommy to dance with Suzanne, but he offers to dance with Kate instead. Tommy wins the role of Prince and Kate the role of Cinderella.

With the final casting, Kate and Tommy's Broadway dream is revived. Kate becomes Cinderella and Tommy becomes Prince, marking a new beginning for both in their dance careers.