Burn The Floor: An Exclusive Insight with Robbie Kmetoni

[caption id="attachment_45112" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Robbie Kmetoni (left)[/caption] Burn The Floor 2024 Australian Tour Dare To Dream As the excitement builds for the upcoming Burn The Floor 2024 Australian tour, we had the opportunity to catch up with one of the show's talented dancers, Robbie Kmetoni . Known for his dynamic presence and passion for dance, Robbie shares his journey, preparations, and what makes this tour unique.

Robbie's introduction to ballroom dancing was serendipitous. Winning "So You Think You Can Dance" in 2010 presented him with several opportunities, but the choice to join Burn The Floor was a defining moment. “It was a no-brainer,” Robbie recalls. “I was so young and inexperienced compared to the rest of the company when I joined in London. The majority of the cast had either been with the show for years, were world champions, or had just been part of the successful Broadway run the year before.” Despite the initial intimidation, Robbie was warmly welcomed and quickly became part of the family, learning from the best in the industry, including Jason Gilkison and Peta Roby. This experience has profoundly shaped his style and career, allowing him to hear and feel music differently and book jobs he might not have otherwise secured.

One of the standout features of Burn The Floor is its live music, which Robbie believes significantly enhances the performance. “There’s no greater feeling than dancing to live music. The live percussions, especially, bring out an alter ego inside of me – a warrior mode that gets switched on.” The music and song selection are already impressive, but with a live band and incredible vocalists, the energy on stage is taken to another level.

As the tour approaches, Robbie is particularly looking forward to reuniting with this cast. “I love them all so much. We have so much fun together. We all work extremely hard and love what we do, so being in a rehearsal room or on stage with them is going to be magical.” Additionally, performing in his hometown of Sydney holds special significance for him. Now based in London, opportunities to perform at home are rare and cherished.

Maintaining the chemistry required for intense dance routines involves patience, trust, commitment, dedication, perseverance, and most importantly, love. Robbie emphasizes the importance of building a loving, friendly relationship where partners can be open and honest during rehearsals.

To stay in top form for the show, Robbie trains at the gym 5-6 days a week, focusing on weights rather than cardio. He also participates in a 45-minute Spin bike class every Saturday morning at Haus Of Spin in Darlinghurst. This unique routine is the only thing that gets him sweating profusely, and he loves it.

Handling the pressure of performing in front of large audiences is something Robbie takes in stride. “Butterflies are good. It means you still love what you do and care about the quality of your art. You learn to control them as time goes on with every job that you do.” His method includes taking a deep breath in and out before going on stage, a simple yet effective way to calm the nerves.

Of course, challenges are expected on any tour. Robbie anticipates potential issues such as small venues, long bus journeys, or cast members feeling unwell or injured. “We don’t have any swings that are side stage ready and waiting, so we all tend to cover each other’s tracks. This is quite common in Burn The Floor shows. It’s not easy, but we always pull it off.”

What sets Burn The Floor apart from other dance productions on this tour is its unique blend of all Australian music and a predominantly Australian cast, complemented by incredible talent from Italy and France. Each cast member is selected for their unique star quality, allowing them to be undeniably themselves on stage every night. This authenticity and lack of a set script or character make for a deeply personal and engaging experience for the audience.

Reflecting on his experience with Burn The Floor, Robbie acknowledges its profound impact on his perspective on dance and performance. “I’ve learned so much because of Burn The Floor. I have grown so much as an artist and as a person. My performance quality has matured immensely from it. I’ll never take performing in front of a live audience for granted. It’s beyond special!”

As the tour prepares to kick off, audiences can look forward to an electrifying performance that promises to leave them breathless.

For more insights and updates, stay tuned to DanceLife. You can also follow Robbie Kmetoni’s journey and catch the magic of Burn The Floor live on tour.