Help! I can't dance! - 2007/05/24 22:21I really want to do musical theatre but I'm not that great of a dancer in any way. I'm planning to learn tap and jazz from this really awesome place for musical theatre where I live, but after reading some admission requirements for BFA in musical theatre for some universities I'm starting to feel that I won't cut it in time. I did ballet when I was much younger but I hardly feel that counts. Anyway, the teachers told me I was too fat.
Any suggestions for this problem of mine?"RENT fans....are colloquially known as RENTheads, and even more colloquially known as the most annoying of all musical fans." (However, Wicked fangirls may soon beat them...C: )
Dream roles: Cathy - the Last Five Years Kim - Miss Saigon Eponine - Les Miserables Amneris - Aida Wendla/Ilse - Spring Awakening
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misselphie
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Re:Help! I can't dance! - 2007/05/24 22:43I used to feel exactly like you do. I had a little bit of training, but not much. I went to an audition just under a year ago and could not keep up with the dancing. I felt stupid and embarassed. But also more determined for the next one. Just a few weeks ago, I auditioned for the same company with a MUCH harder routine. This time, you had to pass the dance audition to even get a vocal one. If they thought you couldn't dance the entire show, you didn't go on. Needless to say, I was shocked when they called my number and told me I was moving on! In fact, through the whole audtion, I felt completely different from the one before. I was confident, and smiling, and stood at the front the entire time. One of the professional dancers who is in the company actually came up to me after and told me I was great!
The way I managed it was PRACTICE. I couldn't afford a dance class (but I have saved up and am enrolling in one in a few weeks). So to get by, I pretty much BREATHED dance for a few months. I bought some dance DVDs that not only help you learn, but also helped tone me up and gave me a great cardio workout! I did them pretty much everyday for an hour (though, I ended up exhausting myself so would say do 3 times a week). I also watched movies and musicals with dance and tried to learn some of the routines.
The thing with auditions for musical theatre school is they are usually for beginners, but you have to at least keep up. You need to be able to learn routines quickly and know all the basic steps. The only way to really master this is practice (though, there are some great tips on this site that also helped me out). The more you do it, the easier it gets. See if you can sign up for dance classes somewhere in your area, too.
Honestly, I'm proof if you can work hard enough, you can beat that, "I'm not a good dancer" feeling.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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margyjohnson
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Re:Help! I can't dance! - 2007/06/01 17:46I agree with the suggestions posted. I'd suggest that if you can afford a dance class, enroll in one immediately. For Musical Theatre it may be best to start with Jazz if you have a limited amount of time to learn it.
In addition, I'd spend the summer cramming on "learn to dance" videos and spend at least 1 hour a day learning some form of dance. Try to get to where you can learn a few combinations quickly from watching it done a few times. That is how it works in auditions.
Break a leg!Favorite Shows: Once on this Island, Wicked, Hairspray, Legally Blonde Dream Roles: Ado Annie/Oklahoma, Galinda/Wicked, Elle Woods/Legally Blonde Favorite Role: Ti Moune in Once On this Island Jr In Production: Best of Broadway Revue, Elle Woods/Legally Blonde
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mandalol219
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Re:Help! I can't dance! - 2007/06/23 12:10The posts before me have made very good points. When I was younger, I wanted to audition for the dance team at my studio, but I was really worried because I didn't have tons of experience. [It's not musical theatre but with catching on to the combinations, I think it has at least some similarities.]
Really, with just one class, your ability to pick things up quicker will improve so much. Once you get there, talk to your instructor and tell them what you are working towards, most always they are willing to help. Over the summer, I would suggest using the videos, but also working a lot on your stretching and strengthening. The links at the bottom of the post has a ton of information on these subjects.
Last, but not least, you have to stick with it. It will be hard sometimes, but it WILL pay off. Try to keep smiling through it, and it will definitely show when you dance!
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aliauthor
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Re:Help! I can't dance! - 2007/06/23 14:55everyone has great advice! Jazz is definately your best bet for Broadway, but I'd look up some basic ballet, jazz, etc. moves online so you can be ahead- i.e. jazz squares.
What helps me at a dance audition is to really get a sense of the rhythm and move with it. Pay close attention to anything you can get and above all, be confident!
Break a leg!-Ali
Currently: -Sheila; Boys Next Door (postshow depression mode) -acceptance to acting ensemble -Bye Bye Birdie (audition- didn't get a callback)
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stlgurl702
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Re:Help! I can't dance! - 2007/07/06 12:32I first want to say that I agree with everything that was said above.
Secondly, I want to comment on the "Teacher told me I'm too fat" thing. Don't let that get to you! EVER! People like that are just idiotic judgmental jerks who obviously have never seen people who aren't size zero on stage before. (i.e. Sarah Ramirez, Marissa Jaret Winokur etc.) Comments like that will screw you up[ bad! if you let them, and I promise, I've been there. Let it roll of you're back, vent about it if you need to but please don't let it get to you.Auditioning For- Bye Bye Birdie (Hoping for Kim for Ursula)
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katoru
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Re:Help! I can't dance! - 2007/07/06 19:02Unfortunately, unless you have a classic dancer body (no fat, no hips, no breasts and tall but not too tall), one will probably get those kind of comments, particularly from ballet dancers who have become teachers. Just remember that a lot (not all, and this isn't in any way directed to the ballet dancers here!) of ballet dancers, especially in the professional world, who have that "classic" body have eating disorders and it's just not healthy. You don't need to starve yourself or make yourself throw up to be beautiful or talented.
You probably won't get that so much in other dance classes.. But Bekki is right, don't let it get to you. You have your reasons for taking dance classes, don't let anyone discourage you from your goals.Kathleen Sera Current Shows: Aloha Pinafore - Volga Upcoming Auditions: Crazy For You - Irene Roth
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buggychopsticks
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Re:Help! I can't dance! - 2007/07/17 16:07I agree with what everyone has said before and just want to add in my own two cents..
When I started doing musical theater, I had never had dance before. I had danced in shows, but that was it. I found that as long as I smiled and pretended like I knew what I was doing, people didn't call me out on not knowing how to dance. Watching other dancers when you're learning the dance really helps. If you learn how other people who look good when dancing look, it can help you imitate that. Quick study (learning to pick up dances quickly) can be very hard, but it gets easier with time, believe me! After dancing in shows for a few years, a director came up to me once and asked me to choreograph! It was an interesting experience...
That being said, nothing can replace a good dance class. And IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO START!!! I just started taking classes two years ago. I was really worried that I'd be so far behind, but I've been moving up and am now in the 2nd most advanced company class. When I started, there were people (at risk of sounding cheesy) of all shapes and sizes from all walks of life. Don't let the fact that you haven't done it in a while stop you from getting involved.
Good luck!
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Melissa
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Re:Help! I can't dance! - 2007/07/17 19:59Try phoning a local dance group to see if they have adult classes that they'll let you go in. I'm only 16, but I come from a small town where everyone my age has been dancing their whole life, so to put someone in who only danced for a couple years when they were little would be just cruel. Especially when you go to the only high school with them... Anyways, try it out! It may help.Lissa
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Especially when you go to the only high school with them...