We Finally Got Dance Academy Producer Joanna Werner To Tell Us What Really Went On Behind The Scenes
Life AcademyShow Notes
The producer of DANCE ACADEMY is here DALINGS!!! 💜💜💜
Joanna Werner – the legendary producer who created the show that changed all of our lives – is finally here. We're talking origin stories (she and Sam had the SAME vision at 3am after drinks!!!), the insane casting process where Alicia ate a banana while the whole class waited, why Dena was always Abigail, and the devastating decision behind killing Sammy.
Plus Joanna gets real about IVF, being pregnant while filming the movie in New York, and how she built boundaries as a working mum in an industry that used to pretend families didn't exist.
This episode is pure magic and we're so grateful she's part of our story 💕
2:13 The Origin Story – How Joanna met Sam Strauss at 3am
12:04 Alicia's audition – "If she can dance, she's in the show"
21:02 The final callbacks – Who would be Kat?
24:06 The banana incident – Alicia stopped the whole audition to eat
31:19 DENA ARRIVES – Car troubles but she made it!
32:48 "She's Abigail. Go." – Joanna always knew
40:46 Thank you for Dance Academy – The gift that keeps giving
50:28 Why we killed Sammy – The truth behind the decision (it was nearly Ben!)
57:00 Dance Academy season 4? – What would it take?
1:00:18 Alicia's rec – Go to the dentist!
1:01:50 Dena's rec – Imperfect Women on Apple TV + chocolate coconut water
1:03:53 Joanna's rec – Audiobooks! James, Scar Tissue, Anna Karenina
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Recs/Homework:
Go to the dentist: Joanna's root canal exploded after Dance Academy – don't wait!
Imperfect Women: Apple TV series starring Elisabeth Moss – Dena's obsessed.
Chocolate Coconut Water: Coca Bella brand, icy cold – Alicia hates it, Dena loves it.
Audiobooks (Audible): James by Percival Everett (Booker Prize winner), Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis, Funny Story by Emily Henry, Anna Karenina (the 28-hour classic!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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