What is the best style dance to learn for an aspiring theater performer?

caltrec10: What is the best style dance to learn for an aspiring theater performer?
I’ve started auditioning for local plays & musicals, and I’ve been in the ensemble of a few shows. In one of them, I had to dance. I did all right, for somebody with no prior dance experience, but I could have done better. So I’m ready to take some dance classes. What would be the best style of dancing to learn to be a better theater performer?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Jacob
I would argue that Jazz Dance would be the best style of dance to learn for an aspiring theater performer: “After the 1950s, pioneers such as Katherine Dunham took the essence of Caribbean traditional dance and made it into a performing art. With the growing domination of other forms of entertainment music, jazz dance evolved on Broadway into the new, smooth style that is taught today and known as modern jazz, while tap dance branched off to follow its own, separate evolutionary path. The performance style of jazz dance was popularized to a large extent by Bob Fosse’s work, which is exemplified by Broadway shows such as Chicago, Cabaret, Damn Yankees, and The Pajama Game. Modern jazz dance continues to be an essential element of musical theatre, and it can often be seen in music videos and competitive dance.”
I agree with this. Or if you don’t have any interest in this my next top contender would be Tap. For lots of musicals demand tap dancing.