In this article
- 1. Watch the front view
- 2. Learn with the back and mirror view
- 3. Practice with the back view
- 4. Break down Section 1
- 5. Break down Section 2
- 6. Break down Section 3
- 7. Break down Section 4
- 8. Explore alternate moves
- Practice safely and make it yours
- Film your dance prescreen
- Check each school before submitting
- Credits
Need a choreographed combination for the dance section of your college musical theatre prescreen? stageready created this original 2026 to 2027 combination as an accessible option for performers who do not already have choreography they want to submit.
You can learn the same combination from three angles below. Start with the front view to see how the movement reads, use the back view with mirror to learn the directions, then practice with the clean back view. Adjust the learning pace to suit your body and experience, and perform every movement safely.
1. Watch the front view
2. Learn with the back and mirror view
3. Practice with the back view
4. Break down Section 1
5. Break down Section 2
6. Break down Section 3
7. Break down Section 4
8. Explore alternate moves
Practice safely and make it yours
- Mark it first: Walk through the pathway and weight changes before adding full energy.
- Learn in phrases: Practice a few counts at a time, then connect each phrase to the next one.
- Clean the transitions: Give the movement between the bigger steps as much attention as the steps themselves.
- Use your strengths: Adjust the range of motion to work safely and effectively for your body while preserving the musical intent.
- Perform, not just execute: Once the steps are secure, add focus, dynamics, and a clear relationship to the music.
Film your dance prescreen
The 2026 to 2027 Musical Theater Common Prescreen criteria recommend the following setup:
- Film horizontally with the camera at eye level.
- Keep your full body visible from the top of your head to the floor, including your feet, for the entire combination.
- Choose a safe space with enough room to move and a background that does not distract from the performance.
- Light yourself from in front of the camera or from the side, not from directly behind you.
- Record a solo video and watch it back to check the framing, picture, and sound.
- Keep the dance video within the recommended 60 to 90 seconds.
- Upload it as a separate piece of media and label the file Dance - First Last.
Check each school before submitting
This choreography is a resource, not a universal requirement. MTCP programs select their own dance option and may add school-specific directions. Option A asks for at least one turn, one jump, and one kick, or another suitable rotation, elevation, and extension that works for your body. Option B asks for your best version of choreographed dancing or moving without that specific checklist. Option C does not require a dance video.
Before you submit, confirm the selected option and source linked by each program. Review the full stageready MTCP guide, then browse programs that use MTCP criteria to build your school-by-school filming list.
Credits
Choreography by Lydia Rouse (ShenCo MT '28) to "Friday At The Drive-In" from The Outsiders.
Featuring
- Lydia Rouse
- Giovanni Santoro
Special thanks
- Shenandoah University
- Kevin Covert
- Felipe Panama
- Karen Follett
- Elizabeth Albert
- Maurice Fraga
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