How to Be Musical Theater Dancer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jan 9, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Musical theater dancers must possess a combination of skills in order to be successful. These include strength, flexibility, coordination, creativity, and musicality. Strength is necessary for the demanding dance combinations and lifts that musical theater often calls for.

Flexibility is also important as it allows dancers to achieve the high kicks and splits that are often seen in musicals. Coordination is needed to bring together all the components of the choreography and to make sure they are all in sync. Creativity is essential in order to interpret the choreography in a new way and to create interesting shapes and patterns.

Lastly, musicality is critical for dancers to be able to execute the choreography on the beat and to create a feeling of unity and connection between the dancers on stage. All of these elements combined enable musical theater dancers to bring a show to life and captivate audiences.

Steps How to Become

Take dance classes - It is essential to take dance classes in order to become a musical theater dancer. Take classes in ballet, jazz, tap and hip hop in order to learn the fundamentals of dance.
Get Musical Theater Experience - Participate in musical theater productions at local theaters or dance schools. This will help you build up your resume and give you hands-on experience with musical theater dancing.
Audition - When auditioning for a musical theater dancing role, be sure to wear proper dance attire and have a prepared solo ready to perform.
Network - Make connections with others in the industry. Attend dance conventions, workshops and networking events in order to meet directors, choreographers and other dancers.
Take Care of Your Body - Musical theater dancers must be in top physical condition in order to perform. It is important to eat healthy and stay in shape.
Stay Positive - Rejection is part of the audition process. Don't get discouraged and stay positive about your future opportunities.

To become a skilled and qualified musical theater dancer, one must possess a combination of talent and rigorous training. It is important to have an understanding of various dance styles such as jazz, ballet, tap, and hip-hop. knowledge of acting and singing is also beneficial for a successful musical theater dancer.

Training can involve taking classes from experienced instructors, as well as immersing oneself in the performing arts by attending shows and participating in workshops. Once the necessary skills have been acquired, it is important to practice and hone them through regular rehearsals and performances. With the right amount of dedication and hard work, a person can become a skilled and qualified musical theater dancer.

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Job Description

Performer Musical theater dancers must be able to perform a variety of dance styles including jazz, ballet, tap, and hip-hop.
Choreographer A musical theater dancer may be asked to create and teach dance routines to other performers. They must be able to communicate their ideas clearly and effectively.
Rehearsal Supervisor Musical theater dancers must be able to motivate and direct other performers during rehearsals in order to ensure the show runs smoothly.
Costume Designer As part of their job, musical theater dancers may be asked to help design costumes for the production. They must have an eye for detail and have a good understanding of current fashion trends.
Performance Instructor A musical theater dancer may be responsible for teaching dance classes or workshops to students of all ages. They must be patient and able to adjust their teaching style to accommodate different learning styles.
Dance Instructor Musical theater dancers may be asked to teach classes or workshops in a variety of dance styles. They must be knowledgeable in all areas of dance, from jazz to contemporary.
Choreographer Assistant A musical theater dancer may work with a choreographer to help create new dances for a production. They must be able to interpret the choreographers vision and understand the structure of the routine.
Dance Captain A dance captain is responsible for leading rehearsals and keeping the performers on track. They must have a good understanding of all the dance styles used in the production and be able to communicate clearly with the cast.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Ability to learn and execute choreography quickly
Knowledge of various dance styles (jazz, tap, hip-hop, ballet, modern, etc. )
Excellent stage presence
Strong sense of rhythm and timing
Ability to work as part of a team
Excellent physical conditioning
Ability to take direction
Knowledge of music theory
Ability to improvise
Ability to take care of costume and props

Being a successful musical theater dancer requires an extensive range of skills, from having a strong base in ballet and jazz technique to being able to pick up choreography quickly and execute it with precision. In order to excel, dancers must also be highly creative, have an eye for detail, and possess a sense of showmanship and charisma. All of these skills are essential for success in musical theater, as they enable dancers to bring the characters to life with their performance.

good musical theater dancers must be able to work collaboratively with other dancers, actors, and directors in order to bring the musical's story to life. Finally, having a professional level of physical fitness is also critical, as high energy dance numbers require impressive levels of strength, agility, and stamina. All of these elements must come together in order for a dancer to be successful in the musical theater industry.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in Musical Theater dance?
What styles of dance are you most comfortable with?
What kind of music do you prefer to dance to?
What challenges have you had to overcome as a dancer?
What is your experience in performing for an audience?
How would you handle a difficult director or choreographer?
Describe a time you had to improvise during a performance.
How do you stay focused during long rehearsal days?
Have you ever had an injury that affected your ability to dance?
What techniques do you use to improve your technique?

Common Tools in Industry

Tap Shoes. Shoes fitted with metal plates on the soles, used to create a tapping noise in tap-dancing. (eg: Bloch Tap-Flex Tap Shoes)
Jazz Shoes. Shoes with a flexible, low-profile sole, designed for fast and intricate footwork. (eg: Capezio Jazz Slip-On Shoes)
Ballet Shoes. Shoes with split-sole design and elastic drawstring, allowing for greater flexibility and range of motion. (eg: Bloch Prolite II Split Sole Ballet Shoes)
Leotard. A form-fitting one-piece garment, usually made of stretchy material, worn for ballet and other dance styles. (eg: So Danca Womens Cross Back Leotard)
Tights. Tight-fitting, sheer material worn over the legs, usually in black or flesh tone, to keep the dancers legs warm. (eg: Bloch Women's Convertible Tights)
Legwarmers. Knitted, tubular garments worn around the calves to keep them warm and help prevent injury during rehearsals and performances. (eg: Capezio Women's Smooth Knit Legwarmers)
Dance Belt. A snug-fitting belt worn under a leotard to provide support and reduce chafing during strenuous dance movements. (eg: Bloch Men's ProForm Dance Belt)
Warmup Jacket. A lightweight, full-length jacket worn over a leotard or tights to keep muscles warm before and after a performance. (eg: Capezio Women's Open Back Warmup Jacket)
Choreographic Notebook. A notebook used to keep track of choreography steps and notes. (eg: Ballet Choreographic Notebook by On Pointe Publishing)

Professional Organizations to Know

Actors' Equity Association
American Guild of Musical Artists
Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers
Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
Dance/USA
National Dance Education Organization
National Association of Teachers of Singing
United States Institute for Theatre Technology
International Council of Fine Arts Deans
Association of Performing Arts Professionals

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Common Important Terms

Ballet. A classical form of dance, involving a set of rules and techniques, which is the foundation for many other dance styles such as musical theater.
Jazz. A style of dance that is based on improvisation and often characterized by fast-paced movements.
Tap. A form of dance that focuses on the sound of the feet hitting the floor, often accompanied by music.
Musical Theater. A genre of theater that combines music, dancing, and storytelling to create a dramatic experience.
Choreography. The art of creating and arranging dances; often used to tell stories or express emotions.
Acting. A craft used to portray a character on stage, typically through the use of dialogue and physical movements.
Performance. A public presentation of an artistic work, often including singing, dancing, or acting.
Improvisation. The ability to spontaneously create movements in response to music or other stimuli.
Rehearsal. The process of preparing for a performance by practicing and refining the choreography and dialogue.
Costume Design. The art of creating costumes for a performance, usually involving the selection of fabrics and accessories to best suit the type of production.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of dance is used in musical theater?

Musical theater dance is a combination of ballet, jazz, and contemporary styles, with choreography that often tells a story and conveys emotion.

How long does it take to train a musical theater dancer?

It typically takes 3-5 years to train a musical theater dancer, depending on the dancer's skill level and goals.

How many hours per week do musical theater dancers rehearse?

Musical theater dancers typically rehearse 8-10 hours per week.

What is the audition process for musical theater dancers?

The audition process for musical theater dancers typically involves submitting an application, attending a dance call, and completing a short interview. In addition, a dancer may be asked to demonstrate their technical knowledge of the specific style or choreography of the production.

What skills do musical theater dancers need?

Musical theater dancers need strong technical skills in ballet, jazz, and contemporary styles, as well as excellent performance skills. In addition, they should have a good understanding of music theory, rhythm and timing, and improvisation.