A Dance Captain must complete the following duties:
- Set any extra rehearsal times
- Ensure all members of the ensemble are doing the choreography correctly and all in sync
- Be able to demonstrate areas of the choreography for the rest of the ensemble
What is a dance captain?
The unsung hero of the West End, the Dance Captain helps keep a musical in tip-top condition throughout its run. As Big Dance attempts to send us all dance-crazy, Official London Theatre says aye aye to Dance Captains from some of the West End’s top shows.
What is it like to be Kinky Boots dance captain?
Peck is now dance captain for Mitchell’s newest Broadway musical, Kinky Boots. “A lot of it was based on my prior relationship with him. When you’re in the business for a while, it’s nice to make those connections,” Peck says. Being a dance captain is a difficult, multifaceted job.
What does a director of a musical theatre school do?
They work closely with the Associate Director and/or the Stage Manager to communicate and preserve the artistic vision of the Creative Team. Peak physical fitness. Good muscle memory to learn all choreography and musical staging.
What is a dance captain?
What does a career as a Dance Captain look like?
What qualifications do I need to be a Dance Captain in a musical?
How does a dance captain differ from a choreographer?
What are the qualities of a good choreographer?
What does a Dance Captain do?
The primary duty of the Dance Captain is to maintain the integrity of the choreographer's vision throughout the duration of a show's run. This means keeping a constant watch on the show's choreography and blocking to ensure that the movement is crisp, clean, and is being performed as the show's creators intended.
Who does the Dance Captain work with?
Especially as a show is being created, the Dance Captain works closely with the choreographer and his/her associates. Following opening night, the Dance Captain becomes his/her eyes and takes charge in upholding their intended placement, style, spacing, and energy onstage. This involves regularly giving notes to fellow cast members and holding brush-up and put-in rehearsals when needed.
How does the Dance Captain keep track of everything?
Here, the Dance Captain keeps detailed notes on individual tracks, movement patterns, stage diagrams, etc.
Is the Dance Captain always a member of the cast?
Yes. Oftentimes, the Dance Captain is a swing- meaning he/she is responsible for understudying most (if not all) of the ensemble tracks in a show. This means that while a Dance Captain might not perform in the show every night, he/she must be ready to go on for any member of the cast at any given time.
What is a dance captain?
A Dance Captain is a member of the company responsible for overseeing and maintaining the artistic standards of all choreography and musical staging within a production. They work closely with the Associate Director and/or the Stage Manager to communicate and preserve the artistic vision of the Creative Team.
What are the skills required to be a good choreographer?
Good muscle memory to learn all choreography and musical staging. Excellent communication in conveying the artistic vision of the Creative Team, including people skills. Calmness, particularly when working under pressure. Organisation, efficiency and good record-keeping.
Becoming a Dance Captain
In order to become a dance captain, first you’ll have to stand out as a dancer. Prove your worth by performing at a high level in multiple shows with the same choreographer. Allow your relationship with them to grow over time—don’t try to force anything.
Pay Attention
Being a dance captain is a difficult, multifaceted job. The role requires taking extensive notes and giving feedback to the other performers. It also involves making sure the spacing and intent of the movement is still intact, as well as fielding concerns from company members.
Think Like a Choreographer
To do the job efficiently, a dance captain also has to be able to speak to the cast the same way a choreographer does. “It’s like being a follower and a leader,” Marshall says. “You have to follow what a choreographer is doing, and then you have to take over.
Be Confident, Not Bossy
Being appointed dance captain doesn’t mean you’re suddenly everyone’s boss. And while it’s flattering to be asked to lead, don’t use your new job as a power trip. “Rather than saying ‘You’ve been doing this step wrong,’ I try to frame it as, ‘You bring a lot of energy to the show.
What is a dance captain?
According to Shira Schwartz, director of theatre and Troupe 6815 at Basha High School in Chandler, Arizona, “The dance captain is one of the least recognized but most important figures in a musical. They make sure the entire cast knows their dance numbers. They hold additional rehearsals, they swing every ensemble part, and they ensure that what appears onstage is at all times what the choreographer wants.”
What do thespians do to set themselves up for a dance captain role?
Asked what Thespians can do to set themselves up for a dance captain role, both Caruncho and Sippel advise gaining basic literacy in classical dance styles , while training for versatility. “I do think ballet is important,” said Caruncho. “I remember ( Hamilton choreographer) Andy Blankenbuehler saying, ‘I can tell when people have been in ballet because they have awareness of their bodies down to the fingertips.’”
What did Sippel do as a kid?
As a kid, Sippel attended a studio that offered hybrid ballet-tap-jazz classes and focused on a breadth of basic techniques. After that, he said, “I just took it upon myself to be as well-rounded as I could and try to grab style wherever I was and finesse it.” He advised “hopping into classes that are so uncomfortable, that are in your danger zone of fear. So, when you’re thrown into that hip-hop combo, you can make that happen for yourself.”
What is the trickiest part of being a cast member?
One of the trickiest parts, Schwartz said, is teaching . “I need someone who can work directly with their peers and impart knowledge in a way that makes the cast feel they’re capable of something they might not feel confident about,” she said. “They need creativity in teaching. They need patience and the willingness to say, ‘How I’m teaching isn’t working. I need to find something that will work for you.’”
Who is the actress in On Your Feet?
Natalie Caruncho (right) in the Broadway production of On Your Feet. Photo courtesy of Natalie Caruncho.
Who was Caruncho's first dance captain?
I think (the choreographer) Sergio (Trujillo) saw the way I was learning, and the way I would watch him and watch the room.” Trujillo made Caruncho associate dance captain, then lead dance captain.
Do dance captains have to swing multiple tracks on the same night?
Dance captains may even have to swing multiple tracks on the same night, and it’s up to them to adjust blocking and choreography, sometimes as they go. “There was a time (in The Prom) when I was already on for two people, and just before the big dance number of Act 1, as I’m about to walk onstage to preset myself, the stage manager says, ‘Hey, so-and-so is also out tonight, and we’re just going to make that happen,’” said Sippel. “And I go, ‘OK.’”
What is a dance captain?
Dance captains are required to know the movement and choreography (called a "track") for every single character in the show because they are responsible for teaching the tracks to new cast members and giving notes when current performers aren't adhering to the original steps. They also work very closely with the stage managers to coordinate brush-up rehearsals; understudy rehearsals; and "put-ins," rehearsals with the whole company that typically happen shortly before a swing or understudy goes on for the first time.
How many dance captains are there on Broadway?
Most Broadway shows have two dance captains or a dance captain and an assistant. Choreographers typically select dancers they have worked with before or those who show an impressive aptitude for quickly memorizing steps to be their dance captains. Klemons, who is a first-time captain, thinks it's extremely important for a show like In the Heightsto have both a male and female dance captain due to the extensive partnering done in the dances. It's a big difference between what a male dancer does and what a female dancer does, especially where lifts are concerned, she says, and for this show it's "really in everyone's best interest to have a man and a woman teaching everyone."
Who plays the Princess in the David Bryan-Joe DiPietro bio-musical?
Jeanna de Waal stars as the People’s Princess in the David Bryan-Joe DiPietro bio-musical.
What is the dance captain?
The unsung hero of the West End, the Dance Captain helps keep a musical in tip-top condition throughout its run. As Big Dance attempts to send us all dance-crazy, Official London Theatre says aye aye to Dance Captains from some of the West End’s top shows.
Who said "Getting lovely feedback from cast members and seeing people do the choreography that you have taught them"?
Helen Dixon: Getting lovely feedback from cast members and seeing people do the choreography that you have taught them.
Who said "Watching old dance movies when I was little"?
Helen Dixon: Watching old dance movies when I was little.
Is ballroom dancing good for kids?
Trent Whiddon: Yes anybody. That’s the great thing with ballroom dancing, it’s suitable for all ages and levels. Whether you’re just looking to do some social dancing and have fun, or young children looking for a new activity, or if you’re more serious and want to pursue a competitive career, or you’re looking for another artistic outlet.
What does the dance captain do?
What exactly does the dance captain do? In shows where there is not even that much dancing at all, it seems that they have them.
re: What does the dance captain do?
One thing do it help teach new cast members or understudies the show. Also, they can call a rehearsals if they feel the choreography isn't at its best.
re: What does the dance captain do?
I noticed that there was a dance captain with Company and I was thinking the same thing.
re: What does the dance captain do?
The dance captain learns all the dances, teaches them to new cast members, and cleans numbers whenever the choreographer is working on someone else.
re: What does the dance captain do?
And so how does the dance captain get chosen? Is it just the best dancer in the company?
re: What does the dance captain do?
Michelle Kitrell (Dance Captian of Legally Blonde and Longtime Hairspray Dance Captian)'s Diary of a Dance Captian.
re: What does the dance captain do?
I think it's a matter of trust between the choreographer and their chosen dance captain.
What is a dance captain?
A Dance Captain is a member of a company (ensemble/Dancers/Performers) who is responsible for overseeing and maintaining the artistic standards of all choreography and musical staging within a production.
What does a career as a Dance Captain look like?
Throughout your career you can become an Assistant Choreographer and then a Choreographer.
What qualifications do I need to be a Dance Captain in a musical?
A lot of Dancers don’t have any formal training but a formal qualification would be extremely beneficial to help maintain the technique standards with the company. Your training as a Dancer will help you find opportunities to be a Dance Captain and start building your skill set. It is also unlikely that a Dance Captain would be hired without the relevant experience and skills. One of the following qualifications would be suitable:
How does a dance captain differ from a choreographer?
A Dance Captain differs from a Choreographer as they work with the ensemble to ensure what the Choreographer has created is up to the standard needed for the show.
What are the qualities of a good choreographer?
Confidence speaking to groups of people . Ability to give constructive criticism. Ability to learn choreography and musical staging. Excellent communication in instructing the company of the artistic vision. Ability to keep calm under pressure.
