The Next Step Dance Studio holds auditions looking for the 10 best dancers, and the arrival of a new dancer means that no performer's spot is guaranteed.

The members of A-Troupe are chosen and one of the best dancers doesn't make the cut. Emily's position as Dance Captain is threatened when another dancer is also invited to audition for the position.

The A-Troupe is split into two teams to test the leadership skills of the girls competing for the role of Dance Captain. As the competition for the position heats up, Kate warns the dancers to put their differences aside and focus on teamwork.

When Kate asks Emily to hold dance evaluations for placements in the group dance, Emily decides to put Michelle in the back row, which causes waves among the dancers.

On their day off, some of the dancers go to the beach while Emily and the E-Girls run the studio's dance camp. Everything is going as planned at the studio until one of the young dancers decides to pull a prank. Meanwhile at the beach, Riley loses Emily's favourite necklace and enlists the rest of the dancers to help her find it.

In order to prepare for regionals, Emily convinces a group of A-Troupe dancers to spy on their main competition, Elite Dance Academy.