[Gwen]

If you have no dance experience, what would be the best way to choreograph a dance to a number that looks really similar to what they actually do? I'm trying to make a routine to Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Is ballet required for that?

[Bill_Calhoun]

I am balletically trained, but the performance of Cats I was in had few trained dancers. So long as the people can move, and can pick things up easily, you should be okay. The only parts which you might struggle with are some of the lifts, for example the lift Munkustrap uses to lift Victoria (though I played the Tugger, I did this lift with our Victoria).

[Clairvectra]

I think it depends on the nature of the production. If it's a school production you can be forgiven for no ballet or lack of technique. If it's performance students putting the show on i'd expect to see dance.

If its a regional production I would expect to see some technique from the performers. If it was a local theatre company with professional performers putting the show on i think i would expect to see some good dancing from them.

[Gwen]

Hmmm...ok, what about Macavity?
Would that require all the leg lifts that they do?
Or is there a good efficient way to build up flexibility?

[Bill_Calhoun]

Warm up for ages? I was in charge of warmups for my performance, and I made the entire cast do a 45 minute warmup, and Victoria, Munkustrap, Cassandra, Alonzo, Macavity, Mistofolees, and the kittens do almost an hour and a half (they were the core dancers).

Macavity HAS to be the best make dancer in you cast if not many people are dancers. He has to have some balletic stuff as well, it is the nature of the beast I am afraid!.