After the death of her mother, Sara moves to the South Side of Chicago to live with her father and gets transferred to a majority-black school. Her life takes a turn for the better when befriends Chenille and her brother Derek, who helps her with her dancing skills.

Julia Stiles
as Sara Johnson

Sean Patrick Thomas
as Derek Reynolds

Kerry Washington
as Chenille Reynolds

Fredro Starr
as Malakai

Terry Kinney
as Roy Johnson

Bianca Lawson
as Nikki

Vince Green
as Snookie

Garland Whitt
as Kenny

Elisabeth Oas
as Diggy

Artel Great
as Arvel