We do it every time we go out to have a good time, or to simply lighten up our moods a bit, or even to just get an awesome workout, dancing is present in our lives in some way. Whether we are the ballerina who has been dancing since she has stepped out of  the womb, or simply a person who likes moving to the sound of the beat, no matter how off-rhythm they may appear to be. The theatre has many different aspects to it, and of course dancing is one of them. The difference between theatrical dancing and dancing professionally is quite distal. This is true, because there are many different types of musical productions that require a wide array of specific dance routines. Take for example, The Lion King and Mary Poppins. It would be quite silly and embarrassing to put on a production that incorporates tribal dancing from the Lion King into a show like Mary Poppins, because Mary Poppins obviously requires more of a structured and jazzy-type of dance, while the type of dancing in the LionKing can best be compared to  as free-flowing moves.

Personally, I have not had much experience with dancing, and to be honest, dancing is definitely not one of my strongest suits. Although I have not had much formal training, I like to think that I can still manage to make sure I follow the beat of the music and I rarely have a hard time maintaining the rhythm and counts to a routine. But, in reality there is a significant difference between an individual who has been dancing all their life and someone who just knows how to remember a routine. It’s all about the emotions, the stature and most importantly the ability to engage the audience into following your story, with the movements of your body.

I know I should not be talking about how a dancer moves, or what the difference between a great dancer and a mediocre dancer is, but I have had some years of experience that have given me the opportunity to work with some awesome individuals. Since I am a very observant individual, I have learned to dance and ensure that I am following the right beats. This has helped me immensely over the past few years, because without these simply skills, I probably would have been forced to usher in the audience, rather than help put on a show.

The ultimate asset to have for theatre dance is the ability to over-exaggerate, be overly dramatic and make every move known. If a routine requires you to twirl around with emotion, then you have to wing your arms out as though you were going to hit someone, but it shouldn’t be too sloppy. In fact, that’s another aspect of theatre dancing, the ability to do dramatic moves, while simultaneously maintaining composure and ensuring that the moves flow accordingly. This is how a dancer engages the audience; it’s all about the emotion and the desire to present true talent and dedication.