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= Musical Theatre Dance = Musical theatre dance is an umbrella term for the styles of dance that can be involved with the concept of musical theatre with many spheres of influence. From hip hop, to jazz, tap, even contemporary can play a role in making a show go on it's feet. Preparation and the correct footwear can make a dancer or actor comfortable enough to execute a dance number or combination.

Origin
The first tellings of theatre began circa 5th century BCE with the ancient Greeks, which was then adopted by the Romans When the Middle Ages began, bards and traveling theatre troupes would perform Greek tragedies, bringing Greek comedies and dramas back to life.

There has been 'ages' of musical theatre. The Golden Age consists of Broadway classics like Anything Goes, or 42nd Street. The "Golden Age" of musicals are musicals written and produced from 1920 to 1940.

The decades ranging 1950 to 2000 (can include Little Shop of Horrors, My Fair Lady, Kiss Me Kate, etc) is the 50 year span of musicals from Golden Age to Contemporary.

Contemporary ranging from 2000 to the present (can include Dear Evan Hansen, Heathers The Musical, The Prom, etc) is the generation of musicals that add more to the element of dance.

For example, the hit show Hamilton uses hip hop and rap to convey the story of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. For the mood and the setting, it is crucial that the element of hop hop is used.

Styles
The styles of dance include:

Tap (i.e. 42nd Street)

Contemporary

Jazz (i.e. Carousel)

Hip Hop (i.e. Hamilton)

Street

Ballroom

There are many more with many combinations

Dance Shoes
The shoes helps the actor move around in the needed format. Some dance numbers require a soft jazz shoe. Some call for a tap shoe for a tap number. Or if there's a ballet segment the choreographer may call for pointe shoes or ballet slippers. These shoes are crucial for a dancer's mobility. Once the actor or the dancer is comfortable in a pair of shoes, the quicker they can do the combination safely and comfortably.

If the actor/dancer is not comfortable, they can risk an injury that can have them leave the show. Breaking a shoe in, or re-wearing an old pair after a while can cause an actor to slip and fall. Some actors/dance spray the bottom of the character shoes or tap the bottom of their tap shoes to prevent slipping or cause of injury so they can continue with the show.

Influential Choreographers
Bob Fosse, creator of the jazz hands, has remarkably changed musical theatre with his sharp, clean cut choreography which can be seen in almost every musical there is. Along the list of choreographers Agnes de Mille, Jerome Robbins, Michael Bennett, and Steven Hoggett have revolutionized contemporary musical theatre as a whole.