Oh Nigel Lythgoe! The longtime judge and executive producer has quietly enlisted Sharna Burgess and Artem Chigvintsev to choreograph a routine for the So You Think You Can Dance finale, ahead of the show’s September 16 broadcast.
After their recent departures as professional dancers from the ABC competition Dancing with the Stars, Sharna Burgess and Artem Chigvintsev now have new creative work lined up. Their exits from DWTS made headlines, and Nigel Lythgoe moved quickly to bring the pair into the So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) fold for the season’s final performance. For Artem, this marks a return to SYTYCD; he previously choreographed a Viennese Waltz for the show in 2011.
Sharna announced the collaboration via her Instagram stories, confirming that she and Artem have teamed up to craft a routine. She revealed that they are mid-rehearsal and excited about the piece, though she kept details about the dance style and the performers under wraps. Sharna also reflected on how quickly opportunities can change direction, noting that when one door closes another can open — a sentiment that speaks to the unpredictable nature of careers in dance and television.
Their choreography will be created for one or more members of the SYTYCD Top 4: Sophie Pittman, Mariah Russell, Gino Cosculluela and Bailey Munoz. With the finale approaching, the Top 4 contestants will showcase standout work designed to highlight their strengths, and bringing in high-profile choreographers like Sharna and Artem raises expectations for an inventive and polished performance.
Both Sharna and Artem bring different experiences to the collaboration. Sharna recently celebrated a high point on DWTS when she won the series with country radio personality and American Idol mentor Bobby Bones. Artem had been part of the DWTS professional cast since 2014, and his recent departure from that role was reported as particularly difficult for him. These developments left both choreographers available to pursue new projects, and Nigel’s decision to recruit them for SYTYCD leverages their strong television choreography credentials.
Sharna spoke candidly about the process in her social update, saying they were already in rehearsal and that the routine promises to be a lot of fun. She asked fans not to miss the performance, hinting at a dynamic collaboration without revealing the routine’s specifics. Artem and Sharna’s combined skill sets — stagecraft, TV experience, and competitive dance expertise — suggest the finale routine will blend theatricality with technical precision.
The SYTYCD finale will air on FOX at 8 pm on Monday, September 16, the same night that the new season of Dancing with the Stars is scheduled to premiere. That scheduling makes the evening a notable night for dance television, as viewers will have the chance to tune into two major dance-driven programs airing head-to-head.
Beyond the professional news, Sharna remains friendly with many colleagues from her time on DWTS, including host Tom Bergeron. Maintaining industry relationships is often important for dancers and choreographers who move between performance, choreography and television work, and this new SYTYCD opportunity illustrates how those connections and reputations can lead to fresh creative collaborations.
As the finale approaches, fans of So You Think You Can Dance can anticipate a memorable performance from the Top 4, now enhanced by the addition of Sharna Burgess and Artem Chigvintsev’s choreography. Their involvement underscores how high-profile choreographers continue to shape televised dance competition finales, bringing both star power and technical expertise to the stage.