For those aspiring to become a triple threat performer, the answer to the question of ‘What kind of dance should you learn for musical theatre?’ is an exciting one. Musical theatre has always been a medium to showcase talent in acting, singing and dancing, and being able to demonstrate proficiency in all three areas is essential for success.
For performers looking for a great way to showcase their dancing skills, jazz dance is one of the most popular styles used in musical theatre. Jazz dance combines ballet technique with stylized movements from African and Caribbean folk dances, as well as popular culture like hip-hop and street dance.
This style can be adapted to fit any type of genre or mood, making it the perfect style for musical theatre. Jazz also helps performers increase their range of motion and develop stamina which will help them perform long numbers in shows.
Tap is another style that is often seen in musical theatre performances. This style requires a lot of coordination and precision as you are constantly hitting the floor with your feet while moving your body around the stage.
It’s a great way to highlight rhythm and syncopation while creating interesting patterns with your feet. Tap also helps build up strength in your legs which can help when you are performing long numbers on stage or dancing for extended periods of time.
Ballet is also an important style for any aspiring musical theatre dancer as it helps them develop elegance and grace on stage. Ballet helps improve posture, flexibility, balance and control which will help when performing more intricate routines on stage. It also provides an excellent foundation for other styles like jazz and tap as they are rooted in ballet technique.
Conclusion:
When deciding what kind of dance to learn for musical theatre, it’s important to consider what styles best fit the type of production you may be auditioning or performing in. Jazz dance is great for versatility while tap helps highlight rhythm and syncopation on stage. Ballet provides a strong foundation that can be adapted into other styles as well as helping improve control over movement during performances.