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Is there such a thing as a course for acting and dancing WITHOUT singing?

Hi,

I’m in upper 6th and studying Dance, Drama and Media.

I’ve always wanted to do Musical Theatre but I do not have a good singing voice and, although I’ve recently started taking private lessons in addition to the weekly PA group I’m part of, I do not expect much will change between now and having to audition for drama schools. Singing makes me anxious and I know, even if I got through an audition, I would be constantly anxious about having to sing in front of people solo (I don’t mind ensemble).

So, my question is this - are there any drama schools which offer drama and dance but without the singing element? I’m a good dancer as I’ve done it since I was small.

I know a lot of people will say not to worry about the singing as long as I can get through the audition but I don’t want to feel constantly worried about it.

Thanks for any advice.
Reply 1
hiya!! I don't know loads and loads about this as I'm actually a singer first and a dancer last!! but I can tell you that there are schools that are more dance focused than others and if you are looking for a school heavy dance then I would recommend you looking into Performer's College, Bird College, Laine Theatre Arts (this one is quite expensive though), Urdang and Italia Conti. Performer's College is very much dance based with acting and singing alongside, Bird College is similar but they seem to be becoming more of a triple threat school. Urdang has a track system so in your second year, you can choose what you specialise in and the Musical Theatre course at Conti has a lot of dance in it. hope this helps!
If you want to audition for musical theatre, then yes, you will be expected to sing at audition. As stated above, traditionally places like Perfomers and Bird were more for dancers, but I think that is changing. I think you can be at Performers and not be a good singer, but you would still need to sing in the audition, and then if they like you enough for your dancing they may be prepared to deal with you not being a singer. Bird are definitely trying to go more triple-threat and Urdang seem to be turning away amazing dancers in favour of singers, although they have split into Urdang and The Dang and the latter is more for dance. Would you look at professional dance courses instead of MT?
Alternatively, why not audition for an Acting course where movement is important. They all contain movement to some extent but places like East 15 do a physical theatre course.
My last suggestion would be to look at some of the universities. It's not the same kind of training as drama schools, but it depends what you want the degree for. I know someone who went to Winchester Uni and did drama and dance who is now a secondary school teacher of... drama and dance. Would that sort of thing work, or do you want to perform yourself? If you want to be on stage, then I would decide whether you are an actor or a dancer first and foremost, and go that route.
Original post by callingcard
If you want to audition for musical theatre, then yes, you will be expected to sing at audition. As stated above, traditionally places like Perfomers and Bird were more for dancers, but I think that is changing. I think you can be at Performers and not be a good singer, but you would still need to sing in the audition, and then if they like you enough for your dancing they may be prepared to deal with you not being a singer. Bird are definitely trying to go more triple-threat and Urdang seem to be turning away amazing dancers in favour of singers, although they have split into Urdang and The Dang and the latter is more for dance. Would you look at professional dance courses instead of MT?
Alternatively, why not audition for an Acting course where movement is important. They all contain movement to some extent but places like East 15 do a physical theatre course.
My last suggestion would be to look at some of the universities. It's not the same kind of training as drama schools, but it depends what you want the degree for. I know someone who went to Winchester Uni and did drama and dance who is now a secondary school teacher of... drama and dance. Would that sort of thing work, or do you want to perform yourself? If you want to be on stage, then I would decide whether you are an actor or a dancer first and foremost, and go that route.


Performers offer a Diploma in Dance but it isn't a degree and you still have to do some singing as part of that. Their is also a dance diploma they offer at Northern Ballet School. Singing is a major part of all of their degrees apart from there Acting pathway and on that there isn;t really much dance

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