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DD is doing musical theatre dance sessions, drama and singing, shes not that in to ballet, tap she could take or leave, is it really essential for musical theatre auditions? Is it what they are looking for?
She has done local shows but they have mainly required singing and acting, she can dance well its just all the girls seem to do ballet and Im wondering if she is interested in musical theatre if she should be doing it too?

I should know this, I worked backstage in theatre but they all seemed to have a mix of abilities.

Sorry if its a stupid question

It will be a big advantage to have dance classes. There is a dance part of the audition process at all the colleges that study Musical Theatre. Some ballet is very useful, but any form of dance is better than none.Ballet is the "core" around which other dance is formed. So even though you will rarely see ballet in a musical, the performers will have studied it. My DD is studying MT and she has weekly ballet classes as well as other types of dance. How old is your DD? Has she done any dance classes at all My advice would be start some dance classes to back up her other skills.

Totally agree Welshmum,dd was amazed at standard of dance at some of these auditions,she has done ballet and really glad she has otherwise she said she would have been really stuck-she wishes she had done more dance actually-so def get some lessons if you can I would say very important

Thanks for replying.
Welshmum she is almost 8. She has done ballet and tap in the past but only in a leisure class, she hasnt taken any exams, the only dance class she does musical theatre dance class. She is naturally a good dancer (god knows where she gets that from I have two left feet!)

Everything that welshmum said is 100% correct. If your dd is thinking of making a career in MT then she MUST have a good dance base, especially ballet (tap not so much, but does improve any natural rhythm). Virtually all the MT colleges' first rounds are a jazz/ballet class and altho it may seem a long way off when she's only 7, believe me these things have a habit of creeping up on you! Besides, your dd's age is an optimum time to start without having to play too much "catch up"......most kids start ballet at 3 or 4.
My advice would be to find some formal ballet/tap/modern classes asap. Good luck!

7-8 is a good age to start. Darcy Bussell did not start ballet till she was 13 . A godd idea is to find a dnace school that does a range of classes - ballet, modern, tap. While exams are not strictly essential, they mprove technique so I would go to one where they offer exam syllabuses. Most schools will offer a taster session before you have to commit.

Everyone is saying really sensible stuff here - it's really common for many choreographers to slip in short sequences that rely heavily on ballet technique. Also - dance is often taken when they're growing up for 'fun' - as a essentially a leisure activity. You rarely find ballet done for 'fun' - it's really hard work, takes dedication to get through the essentials - requires lots of practice, and usually .... a very strict teacher who probably shouts a lot! I guess it's the female equivalent of boot camp in the army. (I'm ignoring the fellas here).

At auditions, and very often even just when girls congregate together, you can spot the ballet girls, who when they just stand and chat, often stand in 3rd position. Just something ballet people seem to do. It's easy to make a case for not doing ballet, but they're up against people who can, and it will show in basic things, like posture and balance.

In a way, tap is similar. Not being able to do it limits their appeal. Dancers have a tough time anyway, so being 75% of the 'complete' dancer can't be good.

Plenty of successful people can't do tap or ballet - but a more limited skill set for a career based on oversubscribed audition based entry seems to be worth improving?

hi, sorry I can't be of much help as we are very new to it, but was wondering, in terms of exams for young dancers, are there any that are regarded higher than others? what should I be looking for in a dance class for my little girl so that it is not purely for leisure but professional? thanks

don't think exams essential.just get to a good standard dd did all ballet grades cost me a fortune

Don't think the exam board is that important, the exams are just useful to get them to think about and improve technique. I'm not sure how much my Dd would have thought about it if she hadn't done exams . But a dance school should also do show rok to improve their performance skills. In MT auditions they go on how ell you perfrom, but obviously those with the best techniques and perfromance skills will do well.

Another advantage (long term) of exams is that they may be able to get some work teaching if they have high enough qualifications.

Thankyou! I forgot all about this thread but I did take your advice Along with the musical theatre, singing, acting she is now doing grade 1 ballet and is starting tap when we can find one that doesnt clash with the other classes.