If you're hoping to work in musicals such as Chicago or Les Miserables in the West End you should consider a musical theatre course. These are available at both dance and drama schools. These courses train students to act, sing and dance and you must show aptitude or potential in all areas at audition.
Different approaches to this type of training may reflect whether a school is a drama or a dance school. The Council for Dance Education and Training accredits Musical Theatre courses at Dance Schools Click here to visit their website and list of CDET accredited Musical Theatre courses. You may wish to apply for musical theatre courses at both dance and drama schools to see which type you prefer and to which you are more suited. A musical theatre course at a drama school, for students aged 18 and over, will place emphasis on acting through the medium of musical theatre, with extensive skills training in singing and dance. You will need to demonstrate dance ability but previous experience is less important than at dance school. Musical theatre courses at dance schools take students from the age of 16 and focus on musical theatre from a dance perspective. You will be expected to have a strong dance technique and some previous dance experience. Jazz dance may feature strongly on these courses but you should be prepared to gain a core understanding of ballet.
