NOT a dancer

[mytinyworld]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 12:59am

so, I'm planning on majoring in musical theatre and applying for a college specifically for performing arts...like Uofarts, boston conservatory...yeh

sooo...

i can act, and sing just fine..

I just cant dance worth crap.

will i be able to attend a college even though i may suck it up when i audition during the dance routine?

do i even have a chance?
crap..i always knew i shoulda been in dance.

[AnythingCanHappen]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 1:08am

i would suggest taking some beginners dance classes then. you dont NEED it, but if you want to be in musical theatre, you will have to be cast in the chorus first...

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 1:12am

Never mind the dancing..

Work on your grammar and typing.

Besides, no college wants someone that calls it "Uofarts".

[mytinyworld]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 1:13am

beginners dance lessons in...tap? ballet or jazz?...

i took a ballet class a few years ago and a jazz..but i barely remember anything

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 1:22am

Holla, baby. We're in the same boat. It actually killed me at all my school auditions.

I STRONGLY RECOMMEND BALLET.
after that, take jazz. Very few schools have you tap - I think CCM offers you the chance to do it instead of ballet, but im unsure. almost all of them have everyone do some ballet exercises, and then a big jazz combo.

If I'm correct, (and I'm pretty sure I am) UArts has a REALLY easy dance audition, if you're looking into there. I'm sure Boston's is more intense. From experience, CCM's was very intense, Michigan's intense, and Syracuse's intense, but I could do that one.

Haven't heard what it's like at Penn State or Emerson.

But yeah, ballet and jazz ALL THE WAY.

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 1:29am

"Never mind the dancing..

Work on your grammar and typing.

Besides, no college wants someone that calls it "Uofarts". "

Diva, I hate you with my heart full of love. Now come clean up my computer screen now that I spit my water all over it!

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 2:48am

I'm just saying...

Besides... She's new, so I pointed her in the direction of the FAQ

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 3:04am

Well, I'm not a strong dancer either, yet I can bull**** my way through an entire tap routine. Like the other night, I was doing a little tap routine and a lady asked me if I do tap [as in professionally, I suppose] and I'm like "Nope. But I can do swing and lindy-hop very well." However, looking back, I think the more appropriate answer would've been, "No, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night!"

It's part of being an actor, you sort of have to 'act' like you know how to dance. Even if you have to bs your way through an entire routine.

But in all seriousness, taking a few beginner's classes wouldn't kill you. If you have natural rhythm, you should be okay.

And -- "WILLKOMMEN" to BWW.

[AnythingCanHappen]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 3:12am

Ditto to everything 'inlovewithjerryherman' said.

[teh_pretty]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 10:05am

While I'd suggest ballet to start as well, for the position you're in it might be more beneficial to jump right into jazz. More than likely, it'll be the one to get you through the audition at a school.

[avab802]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 11:13am

You don't have to already be a dancer to get into a musical theater program. Having natural rhythm and showing the potential to learn can be enough. I was a musical theater major and there were many people in my freshman class who had never had dance training, they just put you in a beginner ballet class for your first semester. That said, a few beginner ballet or jazz classes would probably help you feel more confident at the audition.

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 11:36am

I also belive that at the college auditions you just need to be confident in yourself. If you go in thinking I can;t dance at all, that is going to show in your performance. I do agree though that beginner courses would work. Who knows you may be better than you think! GOOD LUCK.

[mytinyworld]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 5:00pm

ahh..thank you guys so so much!...

this helps a lot, I'll look into some beginner ballet and see what I can do.

Also is UArts very difficult to be accepeted to? Because that is one of my first choices, along with Illinois Wesleyan...

hmm

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 5:07pm

UArts typically will handle a situation like this in a very silly way:

Person A - more talented, less book-smart
Person B - less talented, more book-smart

They'll choose Person B.

Some Arts University, if you ask me. Trust me - you can find a better school.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 6:32pm

My friend says jazz and ballet are the best...

as long as you have an understanding of the movement in dance, and some skills/potential, you should be okay...

I'm in the same boat as you, and will be taking classes in the spring after my license enters my life.

[IveGottaBeME]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 1:18am

UArts has wonderful training, but it gets pretty intense. Especially Sophomore year with Meisner.

I am also not a dancer and the dance audition at UArts was the most difficult when I auditioned. It basically depends on who choreographs that day though. Basically, they want to see your personality. If you can't dance, then you will be in Beginner. Those who already can, will be put in Intermediate.

[Robos89]

Posted: 12/21/06 at 9:52pm

Well, I suggest taking a beginners class in ballet. Ballet is the core of all dance forms. You should learn the basics, then try jazz. Of course you can take both at the same time!

You don't have to be an amazing dancer to be accepted into a college. You just have to show potential! If you mess up, keep going, even if you have to make it up. Also, don't forget, ENERGY ENERGY ENGERY...look like you want to be there!

I'm also auditioning this year. Syracuse was easy, but I've been dancing a long time now! It is intense, they also do an across the floor ballet combo! They check your extension (flexibilty) and if you know how to point your foot with the correct posture.

In some auditions, the dance is optional. It helps out your audition. Colleges are looking to train triple threats. So, just show potential...keep trying, they like to see you work. Also, remember to act professional!

[Amneris]

Posted: 12/21/06 at 10:11pm

i'm skimming through the thread because I am tired but, I am sure everyone has very valid things to inform you about. Usually the dance portion for colleges are optional but, in the real world, you must know how to do something as far as dance unless you are the best possible character performer there is. I couldn't tap for anything and I spent 9 months in NYC with an incredible teacher named Germaine Salsberg at BDC who taught me everything I needed to know and a month later, I was tapping in a show in NY. I think most important is the BALLET. Everyone who has said this is 100% correct because ballet is the foundation to your dance house. Best of luck

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 12/21/06 at 10:26pm

I couldn't tap for anything and I spent 9 months in NYC with an incredible teacher named Germaine Salsberg

Best tap teacher ever. [/threadjack]


I agree with everyone else. Start with ballet.

[singingshowgirl]

Posted: 12/21/06 at 11:30pm

as a student at uarts, i can tell you that your academic theory is completely wrong. there are some insanely talented people at the school who aren't "book smart." the performing arts department makes the final call, not the admissions. i found out about a week after my audition that i was accepted to musical theater....which shows that it was the people who watched me audition who made the call.

as far as dance auditions, i agree with everything that people are saying that you should just take some simple classes....just so you know, most musical theater programs have a dance audition as a placement for once you come to the school...uarts is one of them. freshman musical theater majors are placed in the appropriate level of dance. so for most schools, your dance audition will not make or break you.

if you have any questions about uarts, feel free to contact me. it's an amazing program that is overlooked sometimes....and we have so many current students working all over equity theaters in philadelphia. it's pretty exciting!

[winston89]

Posted: 12/21/06 at 11:40pm

I was doing a show and the director/chorgrapher taught us an important peace of advice. When doing a show, the audience doesn't really pay much attentation to what is going on down with your feet. They usually pay attentation to what is going on overall on stage.

[Lizzya9]

Posted: 12/21/06 at 11:46pm

You'll be fine - I mean in musical theatre everyone has their strong points. Like take Ashley Brown or Idina Menzel, for example. I'm pretty sure they don't dance, they most likely got into college by their voices. Just be really good for the singing and acting part, dance is actually the easiest part of an audition anyway because everyone is up there, not just you. Just smile the whole time and do the moves you know really well, they won't notice = )

[Bbrun720]

Posted: 12/22/06 at 12:14am

I was worried about the same thing and today I was actually talking to my friend who is a major in musical theatre. He said that as long as you are confident in the dance audition, really show you want to be there, and they see you are motivated to learn what they are trying to teach you in regards to the dance you should be fine. I have just started taking some beginner dance classes as well to make sure I kind of understand what they are talking about. And I know it is a cliche, but smile!! If you are comfortable they will feel they can relate to you better. If you are a good actor you will have a better time acting your way threw the dance.

[magic8ball]

Posted: 12/22/06 at 3:55am

"...threw the dance"? "peace of advice"?

I've never seen a thread with more typos. And this isn't even nitpicking. These mistakes are second-grade calibre.

As for the topic, just have good energy and demonstrate basic movement ability. There are lots of actor-singers out there who are perfectly successful.

[Bbrun720]

Posted: 12/22/06 at 5:50pm

I know how to type I just was typing fast. As long as you were able to read it and understand it, I don't think the spelling was that important.