When and Where Did Musical Theatre Dance Originate?

Musical Theatre|Theater

The history of musical theatre dance is a fascinating exploration of the power of movement and music to tell stories. It has been around for centuries, evolving and changing with the times. Musical theatre dance is a combination of many different forms, including jazz, tap, ballet, and modern dance.

The roots of musical theatre dance can be traced back to the 18th century in Europe. At this time, dancing was a popular form of entertainment in both public and private settings.

In France, theatrical ballets were performed by members of the Royal Academy of Dance. This style became known as ‘ballet d’action’, where dancers would mime out stories through their movements.

In England during this period, pantomimes were also popular forms of entertainment. These were musical comedies with elaborate costumes and sets that told stories through song and dance numbers. These often featured popular songs from the era accompanied by lively dances that could involve up to hundreds of performers at once.

In the 19th century, musical theatre began to take shape in America with shows such as ‘The Black Crook’ and ‘The Wizard Of Oz’. These shows combined elements of pantomime with more structured choreography to create an exciting new form that was easy for audiences to follow. This style became known as ‘American musical theatre’.

Throughout the 20th century, musical theatre continued to evolve with groundbreaking shows such as ‘Oklahoma!’ and ‘West Side Story’.

These shows featured innovative choreography that pushed the boundaries of what was possible on stage. As styles such as jazz, tap, modern dance and hip-hop emerged during this time they began to be incorporated into musicals giving them a unique style that audiences loved.

Today, musical theatre continues to evolve as new styles are explored and incorporated into shows such as ‘Hamilton’ or ‘Frozen’. As we look back at its origins we can see how it has shaped our culture today in ways that continue to surprise us.

In conclusion, Musical Theatre Dance originated in Europe during the 18th century before being developed further in England through pantomimes and then becoming an integral part of American Musical Theatre during the 19th century which then evolved throughout the 20th century with groundbreaking shows such as Oklahoma! It continues today as new styles are explored while its influence remains ever present within our culture today.