Dance Videos - 2007/05/27 19:53I have no dance experience and would like to change that. I began looking for dance classes but no studio will take me because I am too old to have no experience. They categorize by age with level, so I would have to be advanced to take a class. Unfortunately the YMCA (or various things like that within my town) do not hold classes. So, I was wondering if anyone had any dance videos to suggest to me, or any other tips. Thanks!•••♥♫♥••• faith
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jmslp
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Re:Dance Videos - 2007/05/27 20:00there's a cool link on this site under tips that has some video examples of dance steps. check it out and see if it helps a little. i have used it and found it helpful! They call me Jessica (like: They call me lady luck... lol)
Favorite roles:
Eva Peron, Evita; Jack's Mother, Into the Woods; Sonia, Godspell; Anything Goes, Reno Sweeney; Audrey, Little Shop of Horrors; Catherine, Pippin
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misselphie
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Re:Dance Videos - 2007/05/27 22:35I actually recommend the "Dancing With the Stars" cardio dance. It is quite beginners, but introduces you to steps, gets you moving and your heart rate going, and is pretty fun to top it off. Mostly you learn ballroom steps (the Pasa Doble, cha-cha, samba and jive), but it at least starts you off dancing.
Funnily enough, I also like Paula Abdul's Cardio dance. The steps are kind of early-mid 90s as that it is obviously when it was made, but again it is fun and at least gets you doing the basics like The Grapevine and Chasses (sp?) - moves you will find at any movement audition. Actually my last dance audition for Joseph contained 3 moves from that video since the choreographer was doing "Go Go Go Joseph" in kind of an 80s style. That made me laugh.I'm Samantha. But you can call me Sam.
Favorite Roles: Rosie - Bye, Bye Birdie Mrs. Paroo - The Music Man
Current Role: Footloose - Eleanor Dunbar (also Assistant Director)
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Dreams4Drama
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Re:Dance Videos - 2007/05/28 16:19 Actually my last dance audition for Joseph contained 3 moves from that video since the choreographer was doing "Go Go Go Joseph" in kind of an 80s style. That made me laugh.
Hahaha I love that. I definitely recommend checking out some videos (try to stay away from the irrelevant stuff like hip hop - obviously). I've been dancing forever so I don't have any specific recommendations. But, like misselphie (sorry, don't know your real name! ) said, I recommend learning great vines, chasses (and yes, you spelled it right!), and box squares (a BIG thing in musical theatre).
As far as turns are concerned, I would say that a pirouette would come in handy, though it's probably not used too often unless at an acutal dance audition. Also, if you can learn a chaînés (pronounced "shanay" which, despite it's name, is really very simple), that will help a lot! It's a quick turn involving three steps, so not much balance or technique is required. They're used at auditions all the time
Ask a theatre friend, dancer, or cast mate for help. You can also try looking it up online if you don't have a video to teach you how
Best of luck!My Name Is: Lisa! And I'm fifteen! Upcoming Auditions:The Pajama Game Favorite Roles: Tumnus in Narnia The Musical & the Narrator (the Artful Dodger) in A Christmas With Scrooge.
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misselphie
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Re:Dance Videos - 2007/05/28 18:16Dreams4Drama wrote: Hahaha I love that. I definitely recommend checking out some videos (try to stay away from the irrelevant stuff like hip hop - obviously). I've been dancing forever so I don't have any specific recommendations. But, like misselphie (sorry, don't know your real name! ) said, I recommend learning great vines, chasses (and yes, you spelled it right!), and box squares (a BIG thing in musical theatre).
I just realized my name wasn't anywhere when you said that. I'm Samantha, or Sam. Most people call me Sam.
And the Paula Abdul video has the Box step, too! I forgot about that. When I got it, I didn't think it would be helpful, but it really was! Go figure!I'm Samantha. But you can call me Sam.
Favorite Roles: Rosie - Bye, Bye Birdie Mrs. Paroo - The Music Man
Current Role: Footloose - Eleanor Dunbar (also Assistant Director)
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Dreams4Drama
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Re:Dance Videos - 2007/05/28 18:24It has a box step? That is so awesome.
Well Sam, it's nice to meet you! I'm Lisa!My Name Is: Lisa! And I'm fifteen! Upcoming Auditions:The Pajama Game Favorite Roles: Tumnus in Narnia The Musical & the Narrator (the Artful Dodger) in A Christmas With Scrooge.
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faithzilla
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Re:Dance Videos - 2007/05/28 19:07Dreams4Drama wrote: I recommend learning great vines, chasses (and yes, you spelled it right!), and box squares (a BIG thing in musical theatre).
Actually I know all of those (I'm not THAT out of it, lol.) I've been to various theatre camps and in enough shows to know a few steps, I just really need more practice. I mean, I can learn steps from a choreographer and have actually choreographed a theatre class project (we did A Bushel and a Peck for a music video thing. It was cute ) I just can't do anything...hard. Or even intermediate for that matter. All I can do are beginners/basic dancing. I just want to improve.•••♥♫♥••• faith
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Dreams4Drama
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Re:Dance Videos - 2007/05/29 00:17Actually I know all of those (I'm not THAT out of it, lol.) I've been to various theatre camps and in enough shows to know a few steps, I just really need more practice.
Oh well, that's great then! If you're at that level, I recommend just working on your ability to pick up choreography fast. If you get it quicker, you'll be able to show more confidence and add your own flair, rather than focusing on remembering the steps. Plus, if makes you look like you have much more training.
But as far as a little more complicated is concerned... If you can't do them already, I think you should look into learning a chaînés and a pirouette! Those can be impressive at simple choreography auditions!
Good luck! My Name Is: Lisa! And I'm fifteen! Upcoming Auditions:The Pajama Game Favorite Roles: Tumnus in Narnia The Musical & the Narrator (the Artful Dodger) in A Christmas With Scrooge.
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I definitely recommend checking out some videos (try to stay away from the irrelevant stuff like hip hop - obviously). I've been dancing forever so I don't have any specific recommendations. But, like misselphie (sorry, don't know your real name! 
) said, I recommend learning great vines, chasses (and yes, you spelled it right!), and box squares (a BIG thing in musical theatre).