The Journey to Broadway

To the overseas observer, Broadway in New York is synonymous with American musical theatre. In reality the industry is much more nuanced. It encompasses Broadway, Off-Broadway, national tours and regional shows. A large portion of the industry performs in shows regionally or as part of a national tour, some of which do not fall under the ambit of Actor’s Equity and therefore are not subject to the union’s regulations and pay rates. For dancers who want to audition for Broadway shows, a good place to earn their stripes is on these tours, with their physically, mentally and emotionally demanding schedules. They are also a crucial part of the musical theatre eco-system in America because they bring a night of Broadway entertainment to regional areas. Theatre-lovers who will likely never make it to New York flock to see performances in regional theatres, which sell out nightly. Karli Dinardo and Kahlia Davis are two Melbourne performers based in New York. Since completing their studies at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, they have been gaining experience of touring schedules. . .

This is an extract from Georgia Davis's article, "The Dream Comes to Life", about what it's like to tour America in a music theatre show. How could you miss it? Buy it from your favourite magazine retailer or subscribe here, or purchase an online copy via the Dance Australia app.