Keen youngsters and youths in dishevelled pants, colourful fashion-forward athleisure and worn-in sneakers huddle exterior of the well-known Millennium Dance Complicated in Studio Metropolis, California.

About 150 folks, starting from what seems to be as younger as 5 years outdated to 30+, together with this reporter, signed up for an unique dancing session with the celebrities of the brand new Disney movie “Descendants: The Rise of Crimson,” which premiered on Disney+ July 12.

Earlier than arriving to the category, a fast search on the studio’s Instagram reassured me that my free black pants with purple stripes, purple tank sports activities bra and tennis sneakers would suffice. I hadn’t taken an expert class in years, a lot much less one at an iconic Los Angeles dance studio.

As a handful of different reporters and I wait within the corridor of the advanced, we pump each other up. What we thought can be a press-only occasion with different journalists, seems to be a particular class for aspiring {and professional} dancers and followers to attend.

Are we in over our heads?

Many Disney Channel authentic films are recognized for ear-worm pop soundtracks and infectious choreography. The strikes to “We’re All In This Collectively” made a technology envision highschool as one huge dance social gathering. “The Cheetah Ladies” sequel made me plan a visit to Spain years later and “Strut” like I meant it within the Barcelona warmth.

Now, as an alternative of following Raven-Symoné, Adrienne Bailon-Houghton and the remainder of the amigas cheetahs from my lounge with pals, I used to be studying from the professionals. It was a chance to reside out a teenage dream, one which was extra strenuous and high-tempo that I anticipated.

Regardless of taking dance courses again within the day, I wasn’t the perfect — or quickest — at choosing up choreography throughout.

However, as two of the celebrities from the movie advised me, my efficiency didn’t should be excellent, you simply needed to have enjoyable. It was a second that introduced pleasure to my interior Disney Channel tween.

Getting ‘Descendants’ prepared

Earlier than we pack contained in the brightly-painted purple room with mirrors on one wall, I chat with the “Rise of Crimson” main women Kylie Cantrall and Ruby Rose Turner.

Their enthusiasm radiates via the area, and it’s clear that these actors reside and fulfilling a dream that they’ve had since they have been little youngsters. Linking their arms whereas sitting cross-legged on the hardwood flooring, a bestie vibe is noticeable as they cheer one another on.

“We grew up taking courses on the authentic Millennium that was in North Hollywood, and that is such a core reminiscence for me and Ruby,” Cantrall, who portrays Crimson, the Queen of Hearts’ daughter, tells TODAY.com. “That’s how we met, was via dance, taking courses, coaching collectively rising up, so that is so nostalgic.

“And to be instructing this choreo from the film to those youngsters,” she continues, earlier than Turner finishes her sentence, “It’s actually, pinch me!”

The most recent installment within the “Descendants” franchise facilities on a brand new group of stars. When the Queen of Hearts (Rita Ora) begins a coup in Auradon, rebellious Crimson and Cinderella’s candy and sort daughter Chloe (Malia Baker) return in time to vary the previous and cease her. What they uncover is {that a} teen Queen of Hearts, Bridget, performed by Turner, is the polar reverse of her villainous self. So what turned her so merciless?

Brandy additionally reprises her 1997 “Cinderella” function, with Paolo Montalban becoming a member of her as now-King Charming.

Touchdown the roles of Crimson and Bridget has “been a very long time within the making,” Cantrall says, reminiscing on their days as younger aspiring entertainers. They each began dancing after they have been little, Cantrall as younger as 2 years outdated.

“Descendants” followers are loyal, this Cantrall and Turner know. The actors are excited put their stamp on the following installment of the franchise.

“There may be a lot authenticity and simply resemblance of the opposite ‘Descendants’ with our huge musical numbers, costumes and the way extravagant it’s. I feel that’s actually nostalgic to the outdated ‘Descendants,’” Cantrall says. “However it’s utterly a brand new story, new characters like Bridget, which I feel is the best factor about this movie. The time journey side and displaying the origin tales of those iconic characters, I feel is so cool.”

Their means of getting “Descendants” prepared included “a little bit of a boot camp” for a month, says Turner, who mentions how her co-star additionally went via sword coaching along with their dance practices.

“That is really such a magical challenge due to the truth that I grew up dancing and singing. This can be a dream job — I feel I can say that for the each of us,” Cantrall says, with a twinkle in her eyes. Turner, smiling vast, nods in settlement and says, “Completely!”

“Due to the truth that we now have a background in all these completely different elements, once you get to mix them in a challenge like this, it makes it like, ‘Oh, thank god I put in these hours of dance,’” Cantrall says.

‘Simply attempting to maintain up’

These hours of dance embrace studying the routine that Millennium choreographer Kelly Sweeney created particularly for the category.

As soon as inside, I head to the again nook of the room with three different reporters and one in all their pals. Class kicks off and we shortly begin to be taught the primary eight counts to Turner’s character’s music “Life is Sweeter.”

I keep in mind what Cantrall advised me earlier than the category began, “I feel you’ll be positive. The enjoyable factor about it’s, you can also make it your personal… Have enjoyable.”

Turner added, “It doesn’t must be excellent. Nobody’s anticipating perfection.”

Because the second eight depend comes up, two wide-eyed reporters flip to me and say they’re leaving as a result of it seems the choreography is just too superior for them. We chuckle, however I settle for the problem.

It is a problem that Cantrall and Turner additionally took on as they ready for the function.

“The one factor that got here to my mind was like, ‘Wow, everyone else is so unimaginable,’” Turner recollects of coaching. “What a forged! I’d be in rehearsals and I’d be (respiration exhausting). Everybody was so good.”

Cantrall provides that everybody put within the exhausting work, “Nevertheless it’s so enjoyable as a result of we elevate one another and push one another in a approach that’s so supportive and enjoyable.”

However she doesn’t deny that the expertise made her have to “present up as a result of everybody right here, I’m simply attempting to maintain up with them.”

As I too attempt to sustain with the opposite dancers, a remaining reporter, her buddy (shoutout to Stephanie from “Entry Hollywood” and Michelle) and I preserve our eyes on a dancer in entrance of us who has just about nailed the choreography that has already been taught.

When the teams get separated, I keep within the again and bust out strikes that I can keep in mind — “Soar, kick ball change, hip out, coronary heart form with my palms. Oh, did I miss a step, yup, OK. I’m behind, mixing the bowl, step, step. What was it once more?” — races via my head.

Taking it in stride and laughing on the enjoyable of all of it, I am, actually, attempting to maintain up.

Because the “Life Is Sweeter” choreography involves an finish, many individuals are referred to as out to carry out solos and in smaller teams. The vitality is excessive, the strikes are fluid and sharp — and I take all of it in, toes hurting and hungry.

A younger boy who gave the impression to be underneath the age of seven was among the many stars of the category. Popping and locking and never lacking a step, he nabs his personal solo and rightfully so.

Subsequent up is the “Crimson” choreographer, however that is the place I take a bow and let the youngsters have their enjoyable.