Take the stage is our regular feature where we meet Performers College graduates and find out what they’re up to now. Today we meet Trinity Diploma graduate Catrin Thomas, to find out about her role as Dance Captain on the West End production of Moulin Rouge and her advice for upcoming performers looking to do similar roles.
What is an average day like in your current role on Moulin Rouge?
An average day as swing/dance captain at Moulin Rouge can be very varied! Once the show has been set up and we get into the daily running of the show my typical jobs include; providing a sufficient physical warm up for the cast each day, ensuring they are warm and prepared for the extreme physical demands of this show, organising the daily casting/covering – which includes deciding which swing goes on for which track, creating a cut show for the entire company/all departments in cases where we do not have enough performers to run the show at full capacity. This includes making sure all quick changes can still happen, communicating with other departments to lose lighting states/props/vocal lines so the show can run as smoothly as possible. I also run a lift call each day after vocal and physical warm up, this includes running sections of the show like big lifts that need to be checked in with each day for safety and gives swings/covers the chance to try things (sometimes for the first time) before performing them in the show. This time after lift call is also a moment to give out notes or work through issues with the cast – it’s my job to run this process and make sure everyone is happy to perform that day, support people through issues or questions they may have and be someone people can come and talk to.
During the cast change and cover rehearsal processes I would, on top of my daily jobs mentioned above, be required to assist and support the Associate and Resident Choreographers through teaching the show. My main focus is on my swing team, to help them learn their tracks and understand the show however I am required to have a knowledge of the entire show meaning I can support principals learning their tracks too.
What would your advice be to some who is interested in being a Dance Captain?
My advice to anyone thinking about undertaking this role or roles like this is to be organised, level headed, open to helping people and willing to invest in the show. This job is hard and it requires a lot of your time, energy and emotion, so I believe to be successful in this role you have to be willing to invest. A very large part of this role is actually just people skills, how you interact with people, how you impart knowledge and help people grow. It is not just about having a good ’swing brain’ and being able to remember every detail about the show, it is about being a good leader and being someone that people feel comfortable coming to to ask questions or ask for advice. This job can often feel like being stuck in the middle, you’re part of the creative team but also part of the cast so it can feel difficult at times when everyone requires something from you, so you have to be level headed and have the ability to communicate with people from all departments.
What was your personal highlight from working on Moulin Rouge?
My personal highlight from this Moulin Rouge is the confidence it has given me/is still helping me build, I had always looked up to my dance captains in previous jobs and dreamt of doing it myself one day so it feels quite surreal sometimes to admit that I am doing it now! This production has given me so much, made me realise I am capable of things I have always desired and has given me incredible opportunities along the way.
What was your biggest take away from your time at performers college?
My time at Performers College was transformative, it helped mould me into the performer I am today and pushed me incredibly hard. I feel very lucky to have been able to learn from such powerful and strong-minded tutors that taught me that dedication, discipline and talent should also be matched with a good reputation, kind heart and passion for what we do. The biggest lesson I think I learnt during my training is; this industry is so tough, nothing comes easy and nothing is owed to you but I have to be tougher, everything happens for a reason and miracles happen when opportunity meets preparation.
what advice would you give to someone thinking of applying to Performers?
When applying I would advise to always try to visit the campus, go to open days and try to understand the vibe of the college you are thinking of training at, when the vibe is right you’ll just know. I actually had my heart and mind set on a different college, I had been accepted and was fully invested to training there – until I stepped foot into my audition at Performers College. I fell in love with the place, the teachers and the warm family atmosphere at Performers and I knew I couldn’t go anywhere else, safe to say I am so grateful I followed my gut!
What else have you been up to?
I have previously worked with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Company on several productions which was absolute dream come true. I was lucky enough to tour UK and internationally with their productions of Cinderella, Romeo & Juliet, The Red Shoes, Nutcracker! and The Car Man. The company taught me so much and I would love to return one day. After graduation I also performed in Thursford Christmas Spectacular which was an amazing whirlwind of Christmas showgirl madness and just the best time!
To discover more about Performers College, including auditions and how to apply, contact us at [email protected] or you can Apply Now, or book an Open Day on our Events page.
