At Stage Door we love performing on stage in our musicals, but with an emphasis placed on the final performance it can be challenging for students to master advance skills in singing, acting and dance. In our technique classes, students will work with Miss Dani and Miss Megan, who are trained in their area of focus to improve individual skills in an encouraging group setting.
TUITION (automatically prorated at online checkout)
Full semester $350 (15 classes)
or
Monthly payments ($70/mo):
January 8 - May 2
NO CLASSES:
March 11-23 (Spring Break)
Max 15 students per class
There is NO PERFORMANCE for these classes
Interested in joining our performing team? Contact dani@stagedoorstudioaz.com for more information!
Why is it beneficial for kids in musicals to take dance classes?
Learning dance routines requires discipline and concentration. Children in dance classes develop the ability to focus on specific movements, follow instructions, and commit to a structured practice regimen.
I truly think this is one of the things that sets a true performer apart from someone who is just in a musical to have fun. When a student has discipline and focus, they can do anything they set their heart to!
When casting roles for musicals, there are always several students who are capable of singing or acting the role. So we can rarely choose “the best” singer or actor because there are so many! We have to choose the best LEADER to play the role. And being a great leader requires DISCIPLINE and FOCUS. With Miss Dani’s background as a competitive dancer and experience in several intense work environments, she is amazing at teaching discipline and focus with love.
Dance enhances body awareness and proprioception, helping children understand how their bodies move in space. This can contribute to improved spatial awareness and coordination, valuable skills for stage performances.
Dance is a form of artistic expression. Through movement, children can convey emotions, tell stories, and express themselves creatively. This skill is particularly valuable in musicals where storytelling is often conveyed through song and dance.
Dance is a physical activity that helps children improve their overall fitness, strength, flexibility, and coordination. It promotes a healthy lifestyle and helps combat sedentary behaviors.
Many dance classes involve group activities. Working with others in a collaborative setting teaches children the importance of teamwork, cooperation, and communication—a crucial aspect of musicals where ensemble performances are common.
Mastering dance routines and performing in front of an audience can boost a child's self-esteem and confidence. This newfound confidence can extend beyond the dance studio and benefit other aspects of their lives, including their roles in musical productions.
Learning dance choreography involves memorizing sequences of movements. This helps improve a child's memory and cognitive abilities, skills that are useful not only in dance but also in academic settings.
Dance provides an outlet for emotions, helping children manage stress, anxiety, and other emotions. This emotional regulation can contribute to improved mental well-being.
The discipline, perseverance, and dedication required in dance classes translate into valuable life skills. These skills can be beneficial for children in various aspects of their personal and professional lives as they grow older. The skills acquired in dance classes can contribute to a well-rounded foundation for their artistic and personal growth.
What will my child learn in singing classes?
Voice lessons teach children proper vocal techniques, including breathing exercises, pitch control, and vocal range development. This foundation is crucial for maintaining vocal health and achieving a polished and controlled singing voice.
Musical performances, especially in live theater, can be physically demanding. Voice lessons help children build stamina and endurance, enabling them to sustain quality singing throughout the duration of a production.
Voice lessons can help children expand their vocal range, allowing them to take on a variety of roles in musicals. This versatility is valuable for participating in productions with diverse musical styles and character requirements.
Learning to sing in tune is a fundamental skill for any vocalist. Voice lessons focus on pitch accuracy, helping children develop a keen ear for intonation, which is essential for musicals where harmonies and melodies are central.
Singing is a powerful form of artistic expression. Voice lessons provide children with the tools to convey emotions and tell stories through their singing, enhancing their ability to connect with an audience in a musical setting.
Clear diction and pronunciation are crucial for effective communication in musicals. Voice lessons help children articulate lyrics clearly, ensuring that their singing is both expressive and understandable.
Proper breath control is vital for sustaining long phrases and achieving dynamic vocal performances. Voice lessons teach children how to control their breath, enhancing their vocal endurance and ability to convey a range of emotions through singing.
Voice lessons contribute to building confidence in children's singing abilities. As they become more comfortable and proficient in their vocal skills, their confidence on stage increases, allowing them to shine in their musical roles.
Voice lessons include guidance on audition techniques, helping children prepare for musical auditions. This preparation can boost their chances of securing roles in productions and ease any anxiety associated with auditioning.
Voice lessons educate children about proper vocal care and health. Understanding how to care for their voices helps prevent strain and potential vocal injuries, ensuring they can participate in musicals without compromising their vocal well-being.
Voice lessons involve interpretation of song lyrics and understanding the emotional nuances of a piece. This skill is crucial for conveying the intended emotions of a character's songs in musicals.
What will my child learn in acting classes?
Acting classes help children develop the ability to express themselves effectively. This is crucial for musical performances where conveying emotions and telling a story are central elements.
Acting requires an understanding and portrayal of emotions. Children in acting classes learn to recognize and express a wide range of emotions, enhancing their emotional intelligence. This skill is valuable for creating authentic and compelling characters in musicals.
Acting classes include improvisation exercises, teaching children to think on their feet and respond creatively to unexpected situations. This skill is beneficial in live performances where unforeseen events may occur.
In acting classes, children learn how to develop and embody characters. The way a character walks, talks, moves, stands, reacts to other characters, etc. This is what ACTING is - not just reading lines on a page.
Acting involves effective verbal and non-verbal communication. Children learn to articulate their lines clearly, project their voices, and use body language to convey meaning—all of which are essential for successful musical performances.
Musical productions require collaboration among cast members. Acting classes teach children the importance of working as a team, respecting others' ideas, and building a cohesive performance.
Acting classes help children develop stage presence, the ability to command attention and connect with the audience. This is crucial for musicals, where performers need to engage and captivate the audience throughout the production.
Acting classes involve various exercises and activities that push children out of their comfort zones, helping them build self-confidence. Confidence is essential for stage performances, allowing children to shine in their roles.
Acting classes include audition preparation, teaching children how to audition for roles effectively. This is valuable for children involved in musicals, as auditions are a common part of the casting process.
Acting involves analyzing scripts, understanding characters, and making creative choices. These activities foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are beneficial in both the artistic and academic realms.
Dani has been dancing in the valley for over 15 years, training and competing in Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz, and Musical Theatre. At 18 Dani began her teaching career in styles such as Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Tricks & Technique, and Hip Hop.
Dani loves working with beginners and focuses her teaching on proper technique and confidence. She is a positive role model to her students and has a passion for sharing her love of dance.
In 2020, Dani received her 200 hr Yoga Instructor Certification and teaches yoga and meditation. She often incorporates breathing techniques, as well as different stretch and strength variations in her dance classes. Dani has worked with multiple preschools around the valley introducing dance and fitness to ages 18 months- 5 years old and has her Acro Teaching Certification up to Level 6!
In addition to choreographing musicals at Stage Door, Dani has introduced hundreds of kids to theater through her popular Musical Theater Camps and Intro to Theater classes. In 2023 she had the opportunity to train dancers to dance in Disneyland with Dance the Magic and currently oversees the Dance Performance Team which has performed in several venues around the valley, including parades and Zoo Lights!
Dani is overwhelmed with excitement and ready for a great season at Stage Door Studio. See you in class!
Megan grew up in Mesa, AZ, participating in youth theatre around the valley before moving to Mississippi to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre, where she performed in Chicago, The Wolves, Urinetown, and Heathers.
While in college, she also performed at local community theatres, doing Mamma Mia and Newsies at Theatre Memphis.
She is back in Arizona after graduating with her Masters in Theatre from Kansas State University with a focus on Drama Therapy!
At Stage Door, Megan has directed the summer productions of Chicago: Teen Edition and The Lightning Thief. She then began the Audition-Only Company, training advanced actors in Mean Girls the Musical and is currently working on Little Shop of Horrors!
She is so excited to be introducing acting-only plays to the Stage Door curriculum as well as teach voice and acting classes to students who are ready to advance their technical knowledge, prepare for future auditions and a career in the arts!