If you’ve found yourself mesmerised by the thrillingly innovative choreography and supercharged footwork of JiGGiG — AKA the fast-growing US-based dance company from Riverdance pros Andy O’Reilly and Brandon Asazawa — then now is your chance to step into the spotlight and learn from the very best in the business.
After spending the past two years building their own Irish dance entertainment company across the USA and beyond, the close friends and business associates have announced their most exciting project yet. This summer, dancers will have the opportunity to take part in a brand new performance programme called Next Step from August 2-8, 2026, hosted in partnership with Camp Rince Ceol.
The initiative will immerse dancers in a week of professional training led by the stellar trio of Andy, Brandon, and Riverdance lead Amy-Mae Dolan, covering everything from stage choreography and performance training to mindset approach and industry advice. The most exciting part? Everything you learn during the week will culminate in a fully produced theatrical show at the EMPAC Theater in Troy, New York, complete with an audience of your family, friends, and dance classmates who will enjoy the finished product of all your hard work.
Expect to be challenged and pushed choreographically (steps are provided in advance) within the supportive Next Step community, where you’ll be encouraged to reach your full potential. Auditions are open now here for dancers of all organisations who are 15 and older, and are Preliminary, Open, or Championship level.
Read on for our interview with director Brandon to hear more about what to expect from Next Step, what makes a professional Irish dance career so rewarding, and why you should apply even if you’re on the fence.
What is it that makes Camp Rince Ceol special, and why were they the right people to collaborate with on Next Step?
Sheila and Tony, CRC’s directors, are the best. They have a wealth of knowledge from their 27 years of running the largest Irish dance camp in the world. They allow campers to follow what they love while creating a true community that promotes friendship, fun, and learning. We have a lot of trust in their leadership and care, and could not think of better partners to launch this project with.
You and Andy have pioneered a really distinctive style with JiGGiG. Can you talk about the kind of choreography you will be teaching in the programme?
After more than a decade on tour together in Riverdance and other productions, Andy and I built a very strong friendship and creative working dynamic that allows us to choreograph together really well. We’re very similar stylistically; we both have goals of modernising Irish dance and finding ways to express it in a non-traditional sense. We want to do things that expand it as an art form, as a dance form, and bring it into different realms. We want to push Irish dancers to do things out of their comfort zone.
What types of lessons do you hope to pass on from your experiences in Riverdance?
I think the most important lesson is understanding that the mental side of the industry is just as important as the physical. How do you mentally get yourself to be able to perform freely and confidently while also being a professional and great team member of any production? Both Andy and I were dance captains in Riverdance, and we’ve found that making sure dancers know how to carry themselves professionally throughout the process is critical to being a great troupe dancer. Gaining the trust of your dance captains and producers comes from being reliable, hardworking, smart, enthusiastic, and a committed team player. Successful Irish dancers learn from those around them and contribute what they do best. Coming together as a group to create something meaningful is one of the most enjoyable parts of performing.
“We want to push Irish dancers to do things out of their comfort zone”
Brandon Asazawa
Can you tease what people can expect from Next Step’s first ever show?
The show concept explores the many phases a dancer experiences on their way to achieving a dream. And we are using the Celtic seasons as a structure to help deliver that message creatively. What is on stage is going to represent the cast members’ journeys yet to come. We are really excited to see this take shape.
What are some of the best things about being a performing Irish dancer, rather than just competitive?
What’s great about performing is experiencing the thrill of a sold-out audience and feeling pride in the work you do. I love that performance isn’t about being perfect, but rather being present. Instead of focusing on your turnout, you are focusing on connecting with your audience. It is a magical dynamic that makes you feel that you are a part of something bigger than yourself. You are sharing the stage with your friends who also love to perform, and you get to take in those moments collectively. There is no better feeling.
I remember when I was growing up, I wished there were more of a developmental pathway for those who had a passion for performing. On the competitive side, there is a very strong infrastructure for that. But from a performance standpoint, we want to build up that pathway. That is the entire purpose of Next Step.
What else do Irish dancers get out of the experience?
Cast members of Next Step will get a chance to learn from choreographers with endless knowledge of the industry. Our only goal is to share everything we know with this next wave of performers so that they can live out the same dream we got to experience. At the end of the week, we are going to have a fully produced theatrical performance for friends and family at the EMPAC theater to showcase what the dancers have learned.
“Coming together as a group to create something meaningful is one of the most enjoyable parts of performing”
Brandon Asazawa
Within the show, dancers will have the opportunity to have featured moments and roles in the production process. We will assign dance captains within the week to highlight the best leaders of each group. Cast members will also go home with professional headshots that can be used for future auditioning opportunities. Finally, dancers over the age of 18 will have the opportunity to use the week as an audition for future work with JiGGiG Irish Dance company.
What would you say to any dancers who are on the fence or don’t know if they’re cut out for a career in performing?
You never know unless you give it a shot. When I was going through this process myself, I did an audition with Riverdance when I was 16, and I was not ready. And then a few years went by, and another opportunity had come up, and I remember thinking, “I already did it, and they said no. Maybe I’m not cut out for this.” It was my mom who said, “What are you talking about? You’ve done this your whole life, you’ve got to give it a shot”. Because of that reminder of being resilient and daring, I had a 10-year career after that.
“Once you take that first step, the journey can begin”
Brandon Asazawa
Even after that moment, I still thought I didn’t have what it took. The first lead performance I ever did, I came off stage and felt like I wasn’t good enough to carry the role. Everyone thinks that those who are actively touring in shows just “have it”. But the truth is, no one knows what they’re capable of doing until they get into the mix and persevere. If you don’t know or you’re unsure, everyone is in the same situation — including those at the top of the industry. It’s a question of who gives themselves a chance to succeed. Once you take that first step, the journey can begin. Not because you’re ready, but because you chose to believe you could become ready.
Find out more information about how to audition for Next Step here.
