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(Published on State Farm Insurance Company’s News Hub Web site from corporate headquarters) Agent’s Son a Finalist in Fox’s ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Thayne Jasperson started in a clogging class in second grade – it was his mother's idea. It didn't last long. "He hated it," said his father, Kim Jasperson, a State Farm® agent in Provo, Utah. "Kids made too much fun out of him." " 'I'm not doing this anymore, Mom,' " Nancy Jasperson remembered Thayne telling her about the folk stepping. "I thought he was done with [dancing]," she added. But more than a decade later, Thayne started dancing again at 21. And after six years, the now-27 year old has made an impression in the performance industry, most recently as a finalist on Fox's fourth season of the Emmy-nominated "So You Think You Can Dance." He Can Dance Thayne auditioned with roughly 40,000 others from around the country in the initial screening for the show in February. From his tryout in Salt Lake City, Utah, he got a ticket to Las Vegas, and made the cut with about 40 others to go to Los Angeles. There, the top 20 were chosen to continue competing. Tonight, Thayne dances twice with his partner, Comfort Fedoke, to vie for a spot in the top 10. Those finalists will be part of the "So You Think You Can Dance" tour group, and one will ultimately be the winner. The two-hour show airs at 8 EST on Fox tonight, and Thayne needs votes so he's not part of the bottom three couples. Those six individuals will dance solos on Thursday, and two of them – one male and one female – will be eliminated. Viewers can vote as many times as they want for up to two hours following the show tonight. Thayne's voting number is 1-888-836-7602. Because of an agreement with the show, Thayne could not be interviewed for this story, but his parents offered their insight on the experience. "He loves the exposure, the experience," Nancy, 52, said. "It's been an incredible experience for him. He's having the time of his life right now, he really is. He's loving it." Dance Companies, Movies, Musicals After a lengthy hiatus, Thayne took a couple dance classes at what is now known as the Utah Valley University and joined a modern dance team. He eventually made it onto Odyssey Dance Theatre in Salt Lake City, Utah, which performs around the world and was his full time job before the show.
Thayne has been involved in live musical theatre, and was also a featured dancer in both of the "High School Musical" Disney Channel movies and MTV's musical, "American Mall." But he doesn't pick a favorite medium, his father said. "He just loves the thrill of performing, of being in front of people, of entertaining," Kim, 54, said. On Thayne's bio on the Fox show's website, Thayne writes, "I love, love, love performing." A self-declared contemporary dancer, Thayne is also skilled in ballet, jazz, tap, and hip hop. His dances vary widely on the show. He has performed a quickstep to "You Can't Hurry Love," a cha cha to "Oye Como Va" (his mother's favorite), and solo routines to Bon Jovi's "Always," and Queen's "I Want to Break Free," among many others. The judges have praised Thayne throughout the season, calling him fantastic and a great partner. Thayne dipped to the bottom a couple of weeks, but has redeemed himself each time after dancing his solo routines. In addition to his technical abilities, Thayne's work ethic and competitive nature have kept him in the show, his parents said. Kim added that Thayne's size – he's a little shorter and smaller than the norm – has pushed him to work harder and overcome the potential disadvantage. Family At His Side Kim, an agent of 22 years, and Nancy are at their fifth taping of "So You Think You Can Dance" in Los Angeles this week – about 650 miles from the Jasperson home in Mapleton, Utah. Some of the rest of the family – Jeremy, 30 and a new State Farm agent, Ashlee, 23, and Koy, 19 – have been to tapings, as well. The Jaspersons either fly or drive to Los Angeles on the Sunday before that week's Monday taping. After, they get to spend time with Thayne and attend the live elimination show on Thursday. With each trip, the anticipation and competition grows. "We're hoping this is the big week for him," Kim said. "Because he does it so well and he's so talented, it would be a shame for him to not use his talent where he loves it so much and he does so good at it," Nancy added. "We're just so proud of him."
SIDEBARS: Vote For Thayne Tonight: This week's two-hour episode of "So You Think You Can Dance" airs tonight at 8 EST on Fox. Voting is open for two hours at the end of the show, and viewers can call and vote as many times as they want. Thayne's number is: 1-888-836-7602 (1-888-TEMPO-02). Then watch Thursday at 9 p.m. EST to see the group dance and whether Thayne makes it into the tour group. Look Him Up: In addition to the links to the show's website, there are numerous clips of Thayne on YouTube that you can view at home. Search "Thayne Jasperson" or "Thayne Jasperson So You Think You Can Dance" on the site to see his audition, partner and solo dances, and news clips. Also, search "High School Musical Stick to the Status Quo" on YouTube. When they get to the lyrics, "Look at me, and what do you see? Intelligence beyond compare," look for the dancer with in the plaid shirt and suspenders – that's Thayne, too.
Thayne has been involved in live musical theatre, and was also a featured dancer in both of the "High School Musical" Disney Channel movies and MTV's musical, "American Mall." But he doesn't pick a favorite medium, his father said. "He just loves the thrill of performing, of being in front of people, of entertaining," Kim, 54, said. On Thayne's bio on the Fox show's website, Thayne writes, "I love, love, love performing." A self-declared contemporary dancer, Thayne is also skilled in ballet, jazz, tap, and hip hop. His dances vary widely on the show. He has performed a quickstep to "You Can't Hurry Love," a cha cha to "Oye Como Va" (his mother's favorite), and solo routines to Bon Jovi's "Always," and Queen's "I Want to Break Free," among many others. The judges have praised Thayne throughout the season, calling him fantastic and a great partner. Thayne dipped to the bottom a couple of weeks, but has redeemed himself each time after dancing his solo routines. In addition to his technical abilities, Thayne's work ethic and competitive nature have kept him in the show, his parents said. Kim added that Thayne's size – he's a little shorter and smaller than the norm – has pushed him to work harder and overcome the potential disadvantage. Family At His Side Kim, an agent of 22 years, and Nancy are at their fifth taping of "So You Think You Can Dance" in Los Angeles this week – about 650 miles from the Jasperson home in Mapleton, Utah. Some of the rest of the family – Jeremy, 30 and a new State Farm agent, Ashlee, 23, and Koy, 19 – have been to tapings, as well. The Jaspersons either fly or drive to Los Angeles on the Sunday before that week's Monday taping. After, they get to spend time with Thayne and attend the live elimination show on Thursday. With each trip, the anticipation and competition grows. "We're hoping this is the big week for him," Kim said. "Because he does it so well and he's so talented, it would be a shame for him to not use his talent where he loves it so much and he does so good at it," Nancy added. "We're just so proud of him."
SIDEBARS: Vote For Thayne Tonight: This week's two-hour episode of "So You Think You Can Dance" airs tonight at 8 EST on Fox. Voting is open for two hours at the end of the show, and viewers can call and vote as many times as they want. Thayne's number is: 1-888-836-7602 (1-888-TEMPO-02). Then watch Thursday at 9 p.m. EST to see the group dance and whether Thayne makes it into the tour group. Look Him Up: In addition to the links to the show's website, there are numerous clips of Thayne on YouTube that you can view at home. Search "Thayne Jasperson" or "Thayne Jasperson So You Think You Can Dance" on the site to see his audition, partner and solo dances, and news clips. Also, search "High School Musical Stick to the Status Quo" on YouTube. When they get to the lyrics, "Look at me, and what do you see? Intelligence beyond compare," look for the dancer with in the plaid shirt and suspenders – that's Thayne, too.
