Based on a true story, the film centres on the dashing Pierre Dulaine, an idealistic New York City ballroom dancer who was the subject of the runaway documentary hit MAD HOT BALLROOM (2005). After spying the desperate and violent actions of a young and angry high schooler named Rock, Dulaine becomes intent on channelling his talent into the service of troubled youth, and almost immediately approaches Rock's tough but well-meaning high school principal (Alfre Woodward) with the idea of teaching ballroom dancing to detention students.