Musical Theatre Dance

Monday, 5:30pm-6:30pm - $155 per term at Stage Door Studios


A 60 minute dance class specifically tailored for musical theatre enthusiasts in school years 7-13 (ie Intermediate and High School students) wanting to up-skill in the area of dance.

 

Taught by local dance teacher and choreographer Sam McLeod, Stage Door's Musical Theatre Dance class will focus on musical theatre style dance as well as touching on the many and varied styles of dance featuring in today’s musicals. 

 

Students can expect to explore jazz dance techniques as they learn how to turn, leap and kick safety and effectively.

 

There will be a strong focus on using our bodies in a communicative way to connect to the music, to the story and to an audience.  

 

Class attendees will rehearse towards a performance at the end of the year.

 

Homework for Musical Theatre Dance

Monday 28 July

A message from the tutor: 

Kia ora everyone! 
We have the whole dance taught!!!!
A little rushed, and rough.... but we have it down. 
Next up - drill and refine!

Thank you to all the dancers for keeping your focus.

Remember what you can, we will smooth any bumps in the weeks to come! 

Sam

Important Notices for Musical Theatre Dance

Monday 21 July

A Message From The Tutor...

Kia ora everyone,

This week we settled back into our usual class structure: 
Starting with warm up; 
following with technique; 
finishing off with choreography.

We began learning the opening and first verse of the piece, leading into our first chorus. 
Formations for this part have now been set.

Homework this week is to practice everything we have learnt at home, so that we can hit the ground running with some new choreo next week.

Have a great week!

Sam

 

TERM TWO

Throughout the year our Musical Theatre Dance class will work on different numbers some of which will ultimately be performed at our Musical Theatre End of Year Showcase at the end of the year, on Saturday 22 November, 2025 (scroll down for more information about our 2025 Musical Theatre Showcase). 
 

SONG 1: Oogie Boogie's Song 
From The Nightmare Before Christmas
Oogie Boogie's Song is the villain song of The Nightmare Before Christmas sung by Oogie Boogie and his prisoner, Santa Claus. Our focus for this quirky number has been on bringing character and story into our dancing. 

SONG 2: Come Alive
From The Greatest Showman
With music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

'Come Alive' comes from The Greatest Showman. In the early 1800's Barnam opened the 'American Museum' in downtown Manhattan, which featured various wax figures. Ticket sales were slow, so the decision is made to showcasing something "alive". Our song appears in the movie when Barnum adds curiosity performers to his offering, such as bearded lady Lettie Lutz and little person Charles Stratton.
At the End of Year Showcase performance our MT Dance class will be joined on stage by Stage Door's Zodiacs and Constellations Musical Theatre Classes, as we bring this fantastic song to life. 


SHOWCASE FINALE SONG: Happy 
Written and performed by Pharrell Williams

Our 2025 Musical Theatre Showcase Finale song is Happy by Pharrell Williams.
For this number our MT Dance class students will join together with all of Stage Door's musical theatre classes (nine in total) to perform together at the very end of our 2025 Musical Theatre Showcase in November (see the bottom of this page for more information about the showcase). 
 

Song lyrics and practice tracks for all MT Dance songs can be downloaded from this webpage for practicing at home. Click on the song title listed on the right hand side of the page, under Resources (above the tutor pic) to access these.

A Note About Footwear

If they have them, Musical Theatre Dance class students are encouraged to bring Jazz shoes & Chorus shoes to each class with them. 

If they don't have Jazz shoes - Sam suggests trainers and old socks (that don't matter if they get holes in them)

If they don't have Chorus shoes - Sam suggests finding some sturdy, heeled opshop shoes similar to chorus shoes (ideally with a strap, otherwise these can always be tied or strapped on separately) 

Male students are welcome to opt for chorus style shoes as well and/or flat mens dress shoes.

If you are wishing to purchase Jazz and/or Chorus shoes, Stage Door recommends
Dancewear Essentials in Tauranga, where you can either order online, 
or in store at 756 Cameron Road 
www.dancewearessentials.com

 

Resources

2025 IMPORTANT DATES Oogie Boogie's Song Come Alive FINALE: Happy

Team members

Sam McLeod

Sam McLeod

2025 Musical Theatre Showcase
 

SAVE THE DATE!
At the end of the year all Stage Door Musical Theatre Classes - including our Musical Theatre Dance Class - take part in our annual End of Year Musical Theatre Showcase. The Showcase is held at the Whakatane Little Theatre and gives students the chance to perform on the big stage and show whanau and friends what they have been working on during classes. 
Stage Door's 2025 Musical Theatre Showcase will hit the stage on Saturday 22 November 2025 for two performances (1:30pm & 6:00pm)
Tickets are set to go on sale in October