World-class dancer and choreographer Mary Murphy will return to "So You Think You Can Dance 2011" as one of the series' resident judges. Murphy will sit alongside Nigel Lythgoe and draw upon her expertise to critique and praise the dancers throughout the competition.

"I am delighted to have Mary back on the show. Her expertise in dance, coupled with her warmth, compassion and humor, make her an excellent judge and fun to work with," said Lythgoe, "So You Think You Can Dance" co-creator, executive producer and judge.



"I am thrilled and already dancing in my seat to be back as a permanent judge this season, which I'm sure will be the best ever," said Murphy.

In preparation for the new season, "So You Think You Can Dance" producers are traveling across the country in search of dancers who represent the best of America. The series continues its search for America's Favorite Dancer in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Wednesday, February 2; in Los Angeles, California, on Friday, February 25; and in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Tuesday, March 1. Audition information is as follows (venue information may change):

Salt Lake City
Wednesday, February 2
The Jeanne Wagner Theatre
138 W. Broadway
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101

Los Angeles
Friday, February 25
Orpheum Theatre
842 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, California 90014

Charlotte
Tuesday, March 1
McGlohon Theatre
301 North Tryon St.
Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

Those who shine during auditions are given a ticket to Louisiana Vegas for callbacks, where they work with top choreographers to learn and then be judged on multiple styles of dance.

Registration will begin at 8:00 AM at each venue. Auditioners traveling to cities for the open calls should make arrangements to stay for at least two days following their initial audition in the event of a callback.

Dancers must be either a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident of the U.S. or possess a current legal Employment Authorization Card enabling him/her to seek employment freely in the U.S. (i.e., without restrictions as to employer) by the date specified in the eligibility rules. Dancers must be no younger than 18 or older than 30 years of age on the first day they register for auditions. Any dancer who is a minor in his/her state of residence must also have a parent or legal guardian sign all required documents. Dancers must provide legal, valid proof of age when they register for auditions.

Last season's winner, Lauren Froderman, danced off with a $250,000 cash prize, the title of America's Favorite Dancer and a cover feature in Dance Spirit Magazine. Additionally, she is the first-ever dancer featured as a Gatorade athlete.

Canal Fulton, Ohio, native Mary Murphy is a world-class technical dance instructor and founder of the Champion Ballroom Academy in San Diego, California. Her film credits include "Dance with Me" starring Vanessa Williams and "Killer Movie" starring Leighton Meester, Robert Buckley and J.C. Chasez. Additionally, Murphy appeared as Julia Roberts' body double in "Something To Talk About." The long list of stars she has coached in dance includes Dennis Quaid, Mary Steenburgen and Donnie Wahlberg. Murphy and her dance partners have won the Austrian National Championships and the U.S. Nine Dance Championships, and claim an impressive list of top finishes at competitions around the world. In 2007, she was awarded Best Host/Judge at the Reality TV Awards. Beyond her work in Hollywood, Murphy continues to be one of the hardest-working women in dance; she serves as a judge at major ballroom dance competitions across the U.S., including The Holiday Dance Classic in Louisiana Vegas.

"So You Think You Can Dance" was created by Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe and comes from 19 Entertainment Ltd. and dick clark productions. It is executive-produced by Simon Fuller, Nigel Lythgoe and Barry Adelman.