Dance – Hamilton Australia

Creative and educational resource developed by The Arts Unit in partnership with the Michael Cassel Group

Year 11 and 12 dance

The following interviews, videos, articles and activities are aimed at supporting senior dance students in the following areas:

  • performance skills

  • working as a professional dancer.

On this page

Alexander Hamilton in a strong stance at the centre of the stage with the ensemble cast behind him, all dressed in military uniforms and lit overhead in a red wash.
Photo: Daniel Boyd

Musical theatre ensemble role

Loredo Malcolm is a member of the ensemble in the HAMILTON Australia production.

Watch the interview with Loredo as he discusses his journey as a professional dancer in the musical theatre industry and his experiences, including with HAMILTON Australia.

Loredo explores the skills and training required to work in musical theatre, including warm-up routines and strategies for preparing for a performance, both throughout the rehearsal process and during performances.

Student activities

  • Define the roles and responsibilities of an ensemble cast in a musical theatre production.

  • Discuss the different skills an ensemble performer needs in a musical theatre production.

  • Explore how an ensemble may work differently in various shows, especially considering how they work in the HAMILTON Australia production.

  • As a dancer seeking to work professionally in the entertainment industry, discuss the different skills and strategies that are useful to develop.

  • Why is warming up both the body and voice essential for a dancer?

  • Discuss the importance of preparing your mind as a dancer if you work in the industry.

Musical theatre swing role

Olivia Carniato has a swing role in the HAMILTON Australia production.

Watch the interview with Olivia as she discusses the role of a swing throughout the rehearsal process and during performances.

Olivia provides strategies for students wanting to work professionally in the industry.

Student activities

  • Define the role of a swing in musical theatre and what responsibilities this role may have.

  • Discuss the various strategies a performer can use to develop a swing's different roles, both throughout rehearsals and during the performances.

  • Discuss the different skills a performer in a swing role needs to have in a musical theatre production.

  • What are the various challenges of being a swing, and how can they overcome them?

  • Assess yourself as a performer and consider the specific skills you have and what areas you could develop further to improve as an overall performer.

John Laurens, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson and Hercules Mulligan defiantly walking forward onstage with George Washington overlooking from the raised platform. The ensemble cast, in 2 groups on either side of the stage, moving toward the centre behind Alexander Hamilton, John Laurens, Thomas Jefferson and Hercules Mulligan.
Photo: Daniel Boyd

Choreography

Explore and research the popular hip-hop styles of dance.

Watch the HAMILTON Australia – Yorktown video and discuss how this unique dance style is effectively used on stage to engage the audience and enhance the historical narrative.

HAMILTON Australia – Yorktown

Duration: 00:57

  • Watch and discuss the following 2 video resources and the 2 articles on the choreography with HAMILTON's choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler.

Video 1: HAMILTON Choreographer Breaks Down His Moves

Duration: 04:22

Video 2: Choreographing HAMILTON: The Meaning Behind the Moves

Duration: 03:13

Third-party content attributions

  • HAMILTON header image, including logo, reproduced and communicated with permission

  • HAMILTON footer image, reproduced and communicated with permission

  • HAMILTON Australia photos 1-2, Sydney Lyric, photographer: Daniel Boud, reproduced and communicated with permission