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Are you a triple threat?

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In the musical theatre business different types of performers make up a cast. There are singers, dancers, actors and those who are capable of doing more than one professional discipline. But…those who are really sought after in musical theatre are performers known as a “triple threat”.

As the name implies, these performers possess a multitude of skills, all at a professional level. The “triple threat” is someone who can sing, dance and act. More and more musicals require multiple skills from their performers. Lead actors/singers must also be able to dance in production numbers and finales. Chorus dancers must also be able to sing and act at a high caliber. This ensures a strong cast, resulting in a more dynamic performance.

Any individual interested in a performing arts career has already got one talent that they are nurturing, whether it be dancing, singing or acting. It is by studying and perfecting the other two disciplines that changes and enriches the performer. A “triple threat” is a much more desirable cast member to have in a musical and this is becoming the norm in the musical theatre business today.

But…how does one become a “triple threat”?

If one is focused on a performing career, then starting early to develop all three skills is the best way to achieve professionalism in them all. Dancers should take singing lessons or become involved in choral groups as soon as possible to begin to develop their voices. Subsequently, singers who have not had dance experience should sign up for beginner classes in jazz dance for sure. More choreography in musical theatre stems from the jazz dance steps and combinations than any other form of dance. But, it’s never too late to learn tap and ballet as well, knowing that the more dance experience performers can get, the more versatile they will become. Both dancers and singers will benefit from drama classes and acting skills will only enhance their performing abilities. An actor who cannot sing or dance is most certainly cut out of being cast in a musical unless there are non-musical parts but an actor who can sing and dance is suddenly marketable in both theatre and musical theatre.

There are many colleges and universities throughout the world that offer programs in the performing arts and interested candidates for musical theatre careers should seek out those schools that boast their development of the “triple threat”. Not only will it be convenient for the student to learn the three disciplines but costs involved will be significantly lower than if the student majors in drama in college and has to seek out private voice and dance instruction which would be an additional cost to college tuition.

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