Musical Theatre
Sing. Dance. Act. Perform.
Musical Theatre brings together acting, singing and dancing and turns them into performance.
At Lisa Mason School of Dance, children explore characters, learn choreography, work with music and movement, and develop the confidence to bring a story to life on stage.
It is about more than learning the words to a song or remembering a dance routine. It is about learning how to perform.
Bringing a character to life
In Musical Theatre, every song and routine has a story behind it.
Who is the character?
What are they feeling?
What are they trying to communicate?
Lisa encourages children to think beyond simply learning the steps and words. They learn how expression, movement, voice and character all work together to create a performance.
Classes can include:
• acting and character work
• singing as part of a performance
• dance and choreography
• expression and storytelling
• learning scripts, lyrics and routines
• working together as an ensemble
• confidence and stage presence
Children begin to understand that performing is not just about getting everything technically right. It is about making the audience believe what they are seeing.
Acting, singing and dancing together
Musical Theatre is different from a conventional dance class because movement is only one part of the performance.
Sometimes the challenge is remembering the steps.
Sometimes it is remembering the words.
Sometimes it is doing both while staying in character.
Children learn to combine different skills and become more confident moving between acting, singing and dancing as part of the same routine.
They also learn about facial expression, body language, timing and how to connect with an audience.
A small change in expression can completely change a scene.
That is what turns a routine into a performance.
You don’t have to be the loudest child in the room
Musical Theatre can be a natural fit for confident children who already love performing.
But it isn’t only for them. Some children need time before they are comfortable speaking in front of others, singing out or stepping into a character - That is fine.
Confidence develops through doing.
A child might begin by joining in as part of a group. Gradually they become more comfortable, contribute more and discover that performing is not quite as daunting as it once seemed. There is no expectation that everyone has to become the star of the show.
Being part of the ensemble matters too.
Learning to work together
Very little Musical Theatre happens alone.
Children learn to listen to one another, react to other performers, take direction and work together as part of a group.
Everyone has a part to play.
That means learning when to stand out and when a performance works better because everybody is working together.
Rehearsing a piece and watching it gradually come together can be one of the most rewarding parts of the class.
From the studio to the stage
Performing has always been an important part of LMSD.
Children have opportunities to use the skills they develop in class in real performances, including LMSD productions, community events and Haverhill Arts Centre pantomimes.
That experience gives children something exciting to work towards and helps develop confidence, concentration and stage presence.
It also gives them the satisfaction of seeing all the rehearsal come together in front of an audience.
Learn with Lisa
Musical Theatre is taught as part of the wider performance programme at Lisa Mason School of Dance.
Lisa is an Associate Teacher of the British Association of Teachers of Dancing (BATD) and has many years of experience teaching, choreographing and preparing children for performances.
Her approach is encouraging but purposeful.
Children are there to enjoy themselves, but they are also learning how to rehearse, remember material, take direction and work as part of a cast.
Some children naturally love being centre stage.
Others discover that confidence gradually.
There is room for both.
Is Musical Theatre for my child?
Musical Theatre can be a great choice for children who:
• love singing along to songs and musicals
• enjoy pretending to be different characters
• are always putting on a show at home
• enjoy dancing but want to try acting and singing too
• would like to become more confident performing
Previous experience in dance, acting or singing is not essential.
Children come to class to learn.
What should my child wear?
Musical Theatre needs comfortable clothing that allows children to move freely.
An LMSD T-shirt with leggings or joggers is ideal, together with Jazz shoes or suitable trainers.
Speak to Lisa before your child’s first class and she can advise you on what they will need.
Come and discover Musical Theatre
If your child loves music, dancing, acting, stories – or simply enjoys putting on a performance – Musical Theatre could be the class where it all comes together.
They do not need to arrive as a confident singer, actor or dancer.
They just need to be willing to have a go.
- Learn the words.
- Learn the moves.
- Find the character.
- Then bring it all to life.
Musical Theatre
Lisa Mason School of Dance
LMSD Studios
Unit 1, 4 Hollands Road
Haverhill
CB9 8PP
Contact Lisa
07958 788292
lisa.lmsd@gmail.com