Non-Dancer in a Musical Theatre Course

If you’re considering studying Musical Theatre but don’t have much dance experience , then you are not alone!

Starting my Diploma of Musical Theatre in January of 2021, I was not a skilled dancer.

I had done dance lessons when I was 3-4years old and had done a couple privates in 2020 to help with auditions.

So I came into this course very much a beginner dancer.

From the first day that I walked into the studio, I was very nervous, and I constantly put myself down.

Comparing is something that you’ll face, but certainly something you shouldn’t focus on.

I quickly found out that this self deprecating mindset was damaging my self esteem.

I needed to switch my mindset.

Confidence or Skill?

I started off believing that I needed to improve my skill before I could be confident.

For weeks I would go about the dancing lessons feeling insecure.

I would constantly put myself down for my lack of skill.

But, once I grew my confidence I was be more vulnerable in my dance classes.

With this, I saw improvement not only in my dance technique, but in my ability to let go when I dance.

This brings me onto my next point:

It is okay to go for it!

Being a non-dancer, I wasn’t very comfortable in my own body and I didn’t know how to use the space around me.

For example, learning choreography during a dance class, the standard practice is to go over the choreography by yourself during the small breaks.

However I wouldn’t want to draw attention to myself.

I felt shy about extending my arm or leg fully for fear that someone might look at me.

Why?

Well, I don’t really know.

Honestly, I didn’t know what I was doing, and I didn’t want to draw attention to my “lack of skills”.

Encouraging Atmosphere

Musical Theatre Classmates are open and encouraging

We have a variety of dancers in our course; from those who have done it their whole lives to people, like me, who really haven’t done dancing at all.

In my cohort we acknowledge each of our milestones and applaud one another when we see that someone has achieved something new or tried something different.

Depending on the school and the class, this may not be the case.

If you are in that environment- I feel for you!

I encourage you to be the person of change where you encourage others and make that the new dynamic for the class.

I have had several conversations with my peers about how much getting a compliment makes our day.

In classes we are constantly told of our mistakes and how we need to improve, which is great for learning.

However, it gets difficult for our self-esteem.

It really does mean a lot when people notice the hard work you are putting in.

“YOUR TIMING FOR THAT JAZZ ROUTINE WAS SO GOOD!” or “KILLING THOSE DOUBLE PIROUTTES!”

Proving your worth

I put so much undue stress on myself to prove my worthiness of being at this school.

This goes 2 ways:

Firstly, I would put lots of pressure on myself to be as good as those who have been dancing for 14 years.

This is unrealistic.

Also, because acting is on the top of my list (in terms of I am actor, singer then dancer) I would be caught up in trying to prove my dance technique and forget all about the acting side of performance.

If acting is your strength then you need to play to that.

Secondly, I would put extra stress on being an amazing actor or singer in the other classes.

To say “Yes, I am good at something, I am worthy of being here!”

This is also a destructive mindset.

I got into this school just like everyone else.

I auditioned, they liked what they saw in me, and that is why I am sitting here in this class.

You’ve already got the teachers’ approval.

Everybody is on a journey

Knowing that everyone has something to work on is a comforting fact.

Being humble is a good mindset to have, as long as it doesn’t seep into being self-deprecating.

Yes of course, ask your friends and teachers for help when you need it, but also be confident in who you are and the journey you are on as a performer.

Needless to say perseverance is one of the most important things to have as a Musical Theatre Performer.

You can do it. Keep working hard. Enjoy the process!

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