music theatre dancing

I'm a singer who has been auditioning for music theatre shows but am yet unsuccessful. I did ballet for 8 years during primary school but am now in my early 20's and haven't danced for quite some time, although I love it!

I am seriously considering dance classes to give me a fighting chance at being in a music theatre production/ getting a role.

Any advice as to what style of dancing would set me up best for dance auditions/music theatre shows? What sort of dancing experience is desirable to directors and choreographers? Can anyone recommend a dance school? (I live in Seaford (near Franskton) in Melbourne.)

Any advice or comments/encouragement would be greatly appreciated!

Laura Seymour wrote:

> I am seriously considering dance classes...

Stop considering, and do. Dance ability is absolutely essential, particularly for your modern super-hit new musicals like Mamma Mia and We Will Rock You. From what I've heard & read, they're more likely to cast a dancer who can sing a bit (count the number of Brent Street grads in the big touring shows) rather than the opposite. This is also reflected in industry press - Dance Australia is far more likely to interview artists, discuss being a 'dancer' (even though they usually sing as well) in a touring show, or advertise auditions for musicals than, for example, Australian Singer or Australian Voice Centre publications.

> Any advice as to what style of dancing would set me up best
> for dance auditions/music theatre shows?

Jazz AND tap - and you're never too old to start either. I also found street/funk classes extremely useful to get rid of the rod-up-the-bum technique I had, thanks to years of ballet. The fitness, flexibility and body awareness you get from ballet is essential. The rigid torso and duck feet are detrimental. Jazz, tap and classical ballet are the core dance subjects in the WAAPA Music Theatre course, and students of both the full and part time courses are strongly advised to take extra dance classes outside of class-time. It's advisable that you take up ballet again, but stick to only one or two classes a week, because ballet can also play havoc with your singing technique. Acrobatics are also becoming more and more common in shows, so if you've got time, try and find some basic classes, even just to get yourself used to hanging upside down.

> What sort of dancing experience is desirable to directors and
> choreographers?

Lots. And if not lots, then demonstrate that, although you may only have started recently, you've been working your butt off, taking at least three classes a week, at a reputable school. Again, jazz, tap and ballet are the three core techniques you must train in for any music theatre show, but any and all additional forms of dance are a great bonus. Melbourne is the Australian mecca for dancers, so your need to train is probably even greater than people from other states.

> Can anyone recommend a dance school? (I live
> in Seaford (near Franskton) in Melbourne.)

Your best bet is to go to, or call, the Victorian Ausdance office (you should find them under 'Ausdance' in the white pages) and they will be able to give you a list of accredited dance schools and teachers, either in your area, or recommend classes that are well worth a bit of a drive. If you find a good school that is geared professionally, generally takes under-18s, but will accept you slightly older, jump at the chance. You'll have to swallow your pride and be gawped at by the youngies (wow, she's so OLD!) but the competition, although bitchy, is actually really valuable, and exams are a great way to guage the development of your technique. Also (or alternatively) try and find a school that holds regular performances, and ensure that you can take part in them (some may have performances, but only for students in such-and-such an age-group or set of classes). Taking class after class is all well and good, but you have to learn how to re-discover the technique in the event of adrenalin (either from fear or excitement) putting the wobblies into your knees and ankles.

Hope this helps!

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Hey Amanda,

Thanks for that - was very informative. I'm studying music full-time at the moment and I really want to get into the dancing. Maybe I'll have to take a year off doing amateur shows and take some more classes.

Bye!

Chris

Hi There

Just a brief encounter with your site. I am interested in Dancing on stage, I have not been to school and no dancing lessons and I have had comments left right and centre about my dancing. I love Latin dancing the most and Usually end up with an inexperienced partner that I have to lead. I need some help or assistance as to what I can do becaue my dancing inibitions are running thin.

I want to dance and be recognised for it. By Reading some of the information, I hope you can help me. I am 162 Cm Heigh and my weight is in proportion to my height. I can be quite flexible but have been a little out of action lately.

What do you suggest.

I hope you can Help me.

Ottilie Takash ( I am female, as my name is a bit mis conceving )

Everything that Amanda has suggested is the way to go.

My daughter (now 17) did not start dancing until 4 years ago. She has a passion for musical theatre and recognised that she needed to dance as well as sing and act. She takes classes in ballet, jazz, acrobatics, hip hop, performance, singing and drama and most people think she has been dancing years rather than a short time. Flexibility is the key so take stretch classes as well if you feel that is necessary.

Have a word with friends who dance to get an idea and feel for the dance schools in your area. Some schools will offer a class free so you can go along and get a feel for the place to see if you like it and will fit in.

Good luck.

Hello to whom it may concern,
On behalf of my friend would like to know where is the opera singing class to enjoy to gether as he has own sing instructor but likes to have a group to sing with in South Australia-Adelaide area? Any idea? Many thanks for your help