Ah, the theater. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll cheer, you'll sing; it's an artistic experience unlike any other. But how do you go from aspiring performer to Tony Award winner? Can you turn your classes into casting for your favorite show? We’ve got you covered. From Vaudeville to the modern stage, read on for all-things Musical Theater — and why Turning Pointe Dance offers the best options for Musical Theater training in Colorado Springs.
What is Musical Theater?
Musical Theater is a dramatic division of performance that conveys a story with acting, singing, dancing, and dialogue. Each character, lyric and line work to move the story forward, capturing the mood and emotional aspects of each production.
Dating back to the European operas of the 18th century, theater performance has been captivating audiences for hundreds of years, with the Broadway productions we know and love taking hold of American culture in the early 1900s. Today, around 40 new shows premiere on Broadway in New York City each year, and many of the classics have been made into blockbuster motion pictures (with several more in the works).
Why take Musical Theater classes?
In addition to building self confidence and communication skills, Musical Theater classes can help produce a well-rounded performer, offering training in voice, acting, and dance. Students will learn and develop skills in a wide variety of movement and vocal styles, ensuring class is always interesting and fun.
More than that, Musical Theater classes allow students to view music and the arts as a whole as a career, not just a hobby, and gain valuable life skills like speaking up, teamwork and physical stamina. By learning to memorize steps and lines, students also develop personal responsibility, and learn to be held accountable to their commitment by castmates and crew members.
Why Turning Pointe?
1. Turning Pointe is a Christian-based dance studio that provides training opportunities for students through weekly classes, summer intensives and performances with its varied divisions. We offer year-round training through weekly classes in dance, acting and voice. Classes are available for students of all ages and levels, with school year classes offered September-May and a six-week summer series in June-July.
Our expansive curriculum, developed exclusively for Turning Pointe, is designed to give all performers at any point in their theater training a place to begin and to grow, and each Musical Theater Program class performs in either the annual recital or musical showcase.
2. Turning Pointe’s youth theater production company, Starz Theater Company, is designed to offer theatrical training, dance technique and vocal foundations in a safe environment that fosters personal growth in the world of the arts. Now in their 11th season, STARZ produces two large-scale musicals for performers ages 9-18, and two theater training intensives per year.
The heart of Starz Theater Company is to build positive culture, uplifting community and bright futures as they strengthen well-rounded performers and young leaders who grasp an understanding of the power and purpose of the arts. They continue the vision of Turning Pointe Dance, which is to be a faith-based center for the arts in our community that empowers students with grit, grace and gratitude for the arts and for His Kingdom.
At Turning Pointe, our long-term goal is to see students flourish in their gifts and be equipped to go into every man's world by training the whole person body, mind and spirit.
How to Get Started
Ready to give it a try? While registration for Turning Pointe’s 2022-23 school-year session has closed, there are still plenty of ways to get started in Musical Theater TODAY.
● Sign up for a class in our six-week Summer session, held June 12-July 21. Musical Theater classes include training for all abilities in voice, acting and dance, for students age 7 and up. Check out this Summer’s schedule at the link above… registration opens March 1!
● Attend one of STARZ Theater’s Young Performer Summits, designed to be a place for students to strengthen their Triple Threat skills (singing, dancing and acting) and accelerate their growth as a performer.
● Audition for STC’s production of “Frozen Jr.” April 21-22! On stage July 21-23, auditions for this production are open to students ages 8-18, and will consist of both vocal and dance tryouts. Not ready to audition just yet? Follow STC on social media for details on purchasing tickets to see the show and be inspired from the audience.
● Looking for a smaller commitment for younger students? Aspiring performers ages 3-7 can get started with a three-day mini camp! These themed camps are the perfect way to give theater and dance a try in a fun, low-commitment environment. Students attend classes and participate in fun activities, then show off their new skills in a parent performance on the final day.
Whether you’re gearing up for your 10th season on stage or still just a Broadway baby, there’s something for every stage of learning Musical Theater at Turning Pointe. To learn more, visit STARZTheater.org, or attend their informational meeting at Turning Pointe Dance this Saturday, February 25, at 11:15 a.m.