<p>I’m curious about how much emphasis on dance makes sense for a singer/actress. Given that most of the dancer kids have been dancing all of their lives I’m guessing that it’s basically impossible for an 18-year old with little to no dance training barring community theater chorus type dancing and sporadic classes as a kid to even approach catching up. I’m also starting to think that you don’t just become a dancer because you decide you should learn this skill so is a college schedule crammed with dance classes a sensible path for a non-dancer or is the chance of getting to the level expected basically impossible?</p>
<p>I’m no expert, just a mom and theatre fan, but I can clearly see that dance training helps all movement on stage and while acting in general. I guess it’s something about learning to control your body. There is just something about the way someone with dance training moves that makes me want to watch them. It’s not exactly grace… It’s more confidence and assurance. It also has to do with being centered and grounded.
Also, you actually may be able to catch up enough to make it so your dancing is not a negative for you for a certain role. You never know what you will be auditioning for but it would be a shame to lose parts only because your dancing wasn’t quite strong enough.<br>
I’m sure some others will weigh in with technical reasons, but I say yes, you should get the training even at this late stage.
Did you happen to see Daniel Radcliffe on Broadway in How to Succeed? He was really good considering he had never danced before the show. Remarkable how much he was able to do.</p>
<p>Mine is an actress/singer going into ballet 2 and yes, I can see a difference in how she carries herself and moves on stage. But I seriously doubt she’ll ever be attending dance auditions. She doesn’t love it and has no desire to dance in the chorus professionally. I do think for the most part kids who love dance and are great at it have figured that out long before college but taking classes does help complete the total package.</p>
<p>I think like anything it depends on the person. This is only my son’s 4th year dancing and he’s reached the highest levels at his school, surpassing many students who’ve had years and years of training. I hear “he’s a natural” a lot. Granted he’s in class 3 to 4 hours per day 5 day per week and once they get to college that type of schedule isn’t possible. But I agree they should train. For the confidence, the poise and stamina. Dance keeps them in great shape.</p>
<p>It’s already a ridiculously competitive field why reduce the chances of getting jobs in the future.</p>
<p>Boys are different. Congrats!</p>
<p>actor12 - what does that mean exactly? Boys learn to dance faster? Congrats that I what have a boy?</p>
<p>Some kids do seem to be naturals or can translate quickly other skills to the dance world. But for a totally untrained girl who is not a gymnast or figure skater or in any other way highly athletically skilled I’m having a hard time believing 4 years of dance in college would be even close to enough to make them competitive. I’m sure it helps in other areas but I’m wondering if it can really get you through a professional dance call. I’m thinking no. </p>
<p>Boys really do have it easier in this field in every way. Our local community theater has advertised that all boys auditioning will be cast.</p>
<p>Sigh…the congrats was for getting to the top level so quickly and boys are different means dancing girls…really good dancing girls who started at 3 and are amazing are a dime a dozen. My school has a world class dance program and none of us female MT’s are catching them anytime soon. There are more opportunities by far for boys with developing skills to be cast professionally. That’s what I meant.</p>
<p>I tend to agree with actor12 that a female who hasn’t danced since a very early age – and who isn’t also blessed with a “dancer’s body” – is unlikely to land in a Broadway dance ensemble no matter what she does during her 4 years of college. This is NOT equally true for male MTs, for whom there are simply far more available roles and far less competition. I know guys who started dance training in college and will dance (or already have danced) on Broadway. On the other hand, we know several females who are amazing dancers trained since birth whose legs are a bit short and don’t even bother with dance calls any more. It is simply not a level playing field for guys and dolls.</p>
<p>That said, I still think females should take as much ballet as possible in college for the reasons mentioned above. Even a singer who moves needs to move beautifully!</p>
<p>There’s also some great discussion about singers who move here…</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1318265-what-future-our-mts-training.html?highlight=what+future+training[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1318265-what-future-our-mts-training.html?highlight=what+future+training</a></p>
<p>I was not a dancer by any means when I auditioned for college programs. I had some technical training, but it was never what I excelled at, despite the 4 or even 5 years of classes I did take. And, to face the facts, I’m 5’1- when I stand up extremely straight. As an actress/singer first, is it important that I can kick my face and turn for days? No. But is it important that in my 4 years of training I develop the ability to pick up choreography quickly, know what my strengths are, perfect the technique that I do possess, AND shock some people behind the table with what abilities I DO have beyond being a “mover”? Yes! </p>
<p>I’ll probably never attend a dance call unless asked to (I’m CERTAINLY doing ECC’s for Singers, not dancers), but when I do go into that dance call, I won’t freak out. You may be right that your D will never ‘catch up’, but what dance classes in an intense musical theatre program will teach you is how to own what you do have. Whether that’s 18 years of ballet or 4, people should look for a program that will challenge her to improve upon who she is- as an actress, singer, and even dancer. Get into the actor who moves call and nail it. She’s an actress, so she should just go into college auditions thinking that she can even shine more than someone with years and years of technique because she can dance from the inside out!</p>
<p>I agree boys do have it easier. However, I would not give up hope for a girl. My D had only very basic dance until she went to college and came out as a fairly decent dancer. Of course she could never catch up with the “dancers” who have been dancing for years. But she is at a level that she can audition for and has danced as part of dance ensemble. She tried taking dance when she was young but missed so much due shows and soccer that she always ended up dropping. She did take classes at our CC during the 2 summers before college, so she at least knew the basics for college auditions. She does pick dance up easily and is also a very hard worker. She danced a lot in college and took every class she could possibly fit in. I am amazed at her skills now. Granted she is first a singer/actor, but she can definitely hold her own in dance after 4 years in college!</p>
<p>Actor12- Thank you for clarifying and thank you, he works very hard at it for sure. </p>
<p>That’s a very good point about picking up choreography! This is something that did not come as easily at first for my S but now that he’s had a few years of training it does.</p>
<p>My D is more of an actor/singer. She took dance when younger but in 5th grade started playing volleyball seriously so dance stopped for a while. And although she was a show choir kid and can move really well ( and is a very good tapper) she knew she needed a lot more dance in college. So she’s in an Intermediate Ballet class and also was put in a Jazz/Modern class. Not because she’s a bad dancer but because they felt she really needed to have some aspects of each down pat. Just saw her this weekend and she said she plans to take ballet for 4 years even if she audits classes. Because ballet is a basis for all the rest.</p>
<p>Will she ever be a ballet star? Probably not. But she knows the better dancer she is the more possibilities. After all, they tell these kids they want them to be triple threats.</p>
<p>This is an interesting thread and really useful. My original question I suppose was how realistic or necessary is the whole triple-threat thing really and I guess it’s been answered. Thanks everyone!</p>