Simultaneous Singing and Dancing in Musical Theatre: Assessing Physical and Vocal Demands

The study conducted a cross-disciplinary literature review of the physical and vocal impact of simultaneous dancing and singing within a musical theatre context. The review employed a hermeneutic methodology to implement a rigorous search strategy. A quality appraisal system formed part of the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Seventy-four papers were examined, and five key themes emerged from the data. The findings suggest that musical theatre performers may experience greater physical demands when dancing compared to performers in other dance genres. Physical and vocal demands are exacerbated when singing and dancing occur simultaneously or in close proximity to each other. The interplay between singing and dancing creates complex training and performance coaching needs, including athletic fitness training, vocal health strategies, and choreographic considerations that minimise the risk of injury, burnout, and vocal pathology.