The approach to musical theatre dance at Twirl is a reflection of the professional experience of owner, Sam Sinns. Twirl musical theatre dance classes focus on technique, body awareness, and dance styles that are practical to working in musical theatre (Broadway, Disney, Cruise Ships, etc…).
In order for students to progress in their technique, it is important that dance is studied as a separate discipline from singing and pure acting. For this reason, singing is not incorporated into Twirl’s musical theatre dance classes. Musical theatre dance classes for students age 5-7 will work on acting and storytelling through dance. For students age 8+ the main focus is on sharpening dance skills so that students can land dance roles in local and school theatre productions, and ultimately prepare them for a professional career if that is something they aspire to attain.
My 11 year old son has always been passionate about acting. It was suggested to him that he take a dance class to round out the ``triple threat.`` At first he was reluctant but once he read about Twirl and met Sam, the owner, he decided to give it a try. He has been hooked ever since. By January he was registered in not only one but three dance classes.
-Melissa
2022-2023 Musical Theatre Dance Classes
Classes run from September 8, 2022 to June 7, 2023. Registration for this season is currently closed. Enrollment for the 2023-24 season will open in May 2023.
MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE Ia, Ib and Ic- (classes for ages 5-7) Your child who loves dancing and being on stage will thrive in this jazz-based class that focuses on dance styles found in Broadway musicals. Students not only learn dance technique, but also work on acting skills and performing with emotion and stage presence. Level Ia (ages 5-6) is designed for kindergarteners and also first graders with no jazz dance experience. Ib (ages 6-7) is for first graders with previous dance experience and also second graders with no dance training. Level Ic (ages 7+) is geared toward second graders who have studied dance (at Twirl or elsewhere) in the previous season.
Musical Theatre Dance Ia Tuesdays 4:30-5:30pm (ages 5-6)
Musical Theatre Dance Ib Thursdays 4:30-5:30pm (ages 6-7)
Musical Theatre Dance Ic Tuesdays 4:30-5:30pm (ages 6-7)
Musical Theatre Dance IIa and IIb– (classes for ages 8-10) Level II musical theatre dance classes focus on different dance styles found on the Broadway stage and other theatrical venues. Musical Theatre Dance IIa (ages 8-10) is geared toward third through fifth grade dancers who are at the beginner/intermediate level. Musical Theatre Dance IIb classes (ages 9+) are for more advanced fourth grade dancers and fifth graders with two years of recent musical theatre dance/jazz dance training.
Musical Theatre Dance IIa Thursdays 5:30-6:30pm
Musical Theatre Dance IIb Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm
Musical Theatre Dance III– (ages 11+) Dancers who dream of performing on Broadway are challenged with contrasting musical theatre styles that require both dance technique and performance quality. This class is great for singers who wish to improve the dance aspect of their triple threat.
Wednesdays 5:30-6:30pm
Musical Theatre Dance IV– (ages 10+) Intermediate/advanced musical theatre dancers hone in on jazz dance technique and learn dance styles and choreography that are practical for musicals, theme parks, cruise ships, and other stage productions.
Tuesdays 7:30-8:30pm
Musical Theatre Dance V– (ages 11+) Twirl’s highest level of musical theatre dance featuring advanced dance technique training and choreography.
Tuesdays 7:30-8:30pm
Musical Theatre Dance Dress Code
- Girls- Black dancewear (leotards with flesh-colored tights or dance shorts; jazz pants; leggings; and fitted tank tops) and tan slip-on jazz shoes. While slip-on jazz shoes are best for learning dance technique in class, tan 2 inch character heels are required for performances for girls in Musical Theatre Dance III and V.
- Boys- Black dancewear (T-shirts, tank tops, athletic shorts, jazz pants, or sweat pants) and black slip-on jazz shoes.
Dance Coaching and Choreography for Pre-screen Video Submissions for College Musical Theatre Programs
Most college musical theatre programs require prescreen audition videos as part of the application process for incoming freshmen. Along with songs and monologues, the vast majority of these programs also require a choreographed dance in the prescreen audition process. At Twirl, we are very familiar with this and will create custom choreography for your high school senior’s audition video that can effectively land them college auditions. We can also coach your future musical theatre major through the dance portion of this college audition process.
Students who have worked with Twirl teaching artists on their prescreen audition videos have been granted auditions for musical theatre programs at:
- University of Michigan
- New York University
- Syracuse University
- Ithaca College
- Shenandoah University
- Elon University
- Texas State University
- Pace University
- Emerson College
- Boston Conservatory of Music
- James Madison University
- American University
- Montclair State University
- Kent State University
- SUNY Fredonia
For information about college prescreen videos and college dance audition prep for musical theatre majors please email info@twirlperformingarts.com.