'So You Think You Can Dance' auditions 2014 in Atlanta

CMGd Single Player - AJC

I attended the "So You Think You Can Dance" auditions at the Fox Theatre this chilly Monday morning, where hundreds of dancers waited for a shot to get on the Fox summer series.

Though the show suffered its worst ratings last  year, it survived for an 11th season and came to Atlanta this week for a fifth time.

Host Cat Deeley usually shows up for the first day of auditions but she was at the Golden Globes last night and missed it. Still, producer Matt Kinsey kept the contestants excited and revved up, asking them to dance on cue and chant whatever he needed them to chant. He even had three tap dancers do a "tap off."

Judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy will be in town later this week and I should be able to interview them Wednesday.

Here are some photos I took from this morning:

Jordan Hilgenberg, 18, of Orlando, shows off her moves for the cameras at "So You Think You Can Dance."

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

Erik "Silky" Moore, 24, of Orlando, tried out seasons 5 and 6 and almost made it to Las Vegas. He took some time off and is focusing more on hip-hop than his original strength of tap.

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

"So You Think You Can Dance" auditions

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

Javi Hart of Atlanta is a hip-hop specialist with a lot of personality.

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

Another dancer works the cameras for "So You Think You Can Dance" auditions.

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

Jazz dancer Kiira Harper flew down from Long Island. She made the final 40 but just missed the live shows two season ago.

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

Tap dancers Natalie Santa Cruz (left) of Orlando and Alex Preston of Greenville, S.C. are both first time tryout dancers.

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

Producer Matt Kinsey instructs the front of the line crowd, who arrived overnight in the near freezing temperatures. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho