What is musical theater dance?

Why is dance essential for Musical Theater?

• Hello. Before you say I'm thick please read and try to understand this from a 16 year old's point of view, haha! I would love to work in Musical Theater after I graduate from hopefully a drama school. I take acting and singing classes currently and am quite good in both. Dance is obviously necessary because every musical has dancers or the characters dancing but if I were to go to a dance class for example tap or streetdance, and they thought me the techniques in that type of dance, how would that benefit me in the west end? Because in the west end, they teach you the dance moves in whatever musical you get into, so why do I need training prior to this? Also, in an audition for your dance, do you do a dance you've learned from classes (or one you've learned else where) or do they teach you a short dance and watch you perform it? I'm so confused and don't know much about dance :L Thanks in advance! Also I'm 16 so what dance type would you recommend I learn? I think it's too late for ballet.

• Answer:

  Yes it's great to learn techniques in the dance because they kind of set you up to get ready for those auditions. You need training prior so it's easier and so your body is strong enough to do them. In auditions most of the time they teach you a short dance and watch your perform it, though sometimes you might have to make your own dance. Since your 16 and musical theater try classical dances, maybe hip hop dances for those big musicals that are more modern. And no it's not to late for ballet at this age.