[southernsweetie23]

How hard were the dance numbers?

I'm not a strong dancer at all, and Jemima is my DREAM role.

I don't know what to sing, and I'm really nervous about the dance audition.

I'm 16, and a lyric soprano.

Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[wicked_boy]

I always thought it was a bit silly for high schools to do this show, unless they specialised in dance.

I know only about 4 or 5 people at my school who could probably pull off these dance numbers and who would actually want to do it.

[MunkuSwarley]

I wouldn't worry about the dance audition much. It is usually set just to see how you move, more than how amazing a dancer you are. When I did this show, the dances were at easy for me, having taken dance classes, but were fair to my cast mates that were not dancers. I guess it really comes down to how the choreographer works.

[The Drama Queen]

When I did it there were really 3 levels of dancers-
The Super-dancers, who had a ton of experience and could do all of the fancy tricks and stuff.
The Good dancers, me and about four other girls who all had previous dance training, but just not as advanced as the Super-dancers.
And the Almost-dancers, who did the most basic choreography, and they did a good job with it.
The choreographer did a really nice job of working with what he had, and the over-all result was pretty incredible for a community theatre.

My advice to you-
Defintely don't freak out about it- at this point (unless the audition is months away, in which case maybe fine a local studio to take weekly classes at to brush up your skills), there is really nothing you can do to improve your dance skills. Try your absolute hardest to learn the routine when they give it too you, and practice every spare moment you have before you have to perform it for them. If they notice that you put your whole heart into learning the routine, they will see that you are a hard-worker and will want to cast you more. And-perform, Perform, PERFORM! If they see you smiling and having a good time, they are less likely to notice a few missed steps.

[AnnieER25]

When I was in it the only strong dancers were the ones brought in for the dance breaks (Rum Tum Tugger and The Jellicle Ball) by the choreographer. They were all her students. The actors weren't expected to do anything too difficult, with the exception of Rumpleteazer and Mungojerrie who were asked to do a few acrobatics.

As far as singing for Jemima, I recommend a youthful soprano ballad. Another girl, who was looking for an audition piece for this character, was looking at "Whistle Down the Wind."

Break a leg at your audition!

[MunkustrapQC]

Personally, I am playing in Cats presently in a High School production and I can tell you that everything depend on the quality of the choreographer. We have 4 differents choreographer : 1) Classic and difficult dance (Prologue, Slow part of the Jellicle Ball)
2) Jazz and athletic dance (Mungo & Rumpel, Macavity, Old Gumbie Cat)
3) Funny and sensual dance (The Rum Tum Tugger, Pekes & Pollicles, sensual par of the Jellicle Ball)
4) Easy dance for begginner (Skimbleshanks, Bustopher Jones)

The great dancers can dance in the choreography from choeographer number 1 and 2
Normal danders can dance in every type of choreography, but are not in the front in difficult part.
Poor dancers can dance in easy dance, but have fun too, so even if your not the greatest dancer ever, you will have a part from what you want and your ability.

In our production, we have maybe 8-10 great dancers (Victoria, Demeter, Bombalurina, Quaxo, Alonzo, Mungojerrie, Rumpleteazer, Quaxo, Etcetera & Cassandra)
But the choreography of more than 12 dancers are easily and everyone can dance well...

Have fun and I hope you'll have the character you want in Cats, it's a wonderful show!

[southernsweetie23]

Thanks so much everyone!! I really appreciate the help!
=]

[Namiko Nakamura]

It depends on what kind of production you're auditioning for. I'd assume that the dance skill in a high school production would be very mediocre, to be honest with you.

I was Rumpelteazer in a community theatre production. I had years of prior dance experience, which helped, because the show is so heavily dance-based and is tiring. As Rumpel, I needed to do acrobatics with Mungojerrie, including lifts, a handstand against his back as he flipped me over, and of course, the fabled double cartwheel. However, we had non-dancers in the cast, and they were able to learn the choreography.

I'd say give it a go. You never know what might happen!

[MunkustrapQC]

[Kragey]