A relatively late starter, Dane Quixall began dancing aged 16. He went on to gain a Full Scholarship at the Urdang Academy aged 18, and upon graduating, joined an International Touring Company. With a stellar success story such as Dane’s, with credits such as CATS the musical, it is any wonder that he is a true professional and works incredibly hard.
When did you begin dancing, where and why?
I started dancing around my house when I was about 16 after seeing the video of CATS. I used to watch it EVERY night and dance along. I went to drama clubs prior to this and attended a local dance school on a Saturday where we used to learn routines, but I didn’t learn to do a plié until I was 18.
What were your early years of dancing and training like?
I attended the Urdang Academy in Covent Garden on a Full Scholarship and I am so thankful for that. I found training difficult as I had to work every night and weekend to pay for my rent, food and travel. A typical day was getting up at 6am to leave and get to central London to start Ballet at 8.45am, classes all day until 6p, and then start work Front of House at 6.15pm. I would work until 11pm, get home by 12pm, sleep for 6 hours and start again. I was tired and moody the whole time so not the best experience of my life, but it made me grow up and I learnt a lot in those 3 years.
A typical day…
I would start with ballet and we had great teachers who really gave a great basic training in the first year, which helped me to get to the standard of others who had been dancing since they were 3 years old. We had contempary classes, tap classes, singing lessons, gymnastics, jazz classes and acting classes. I enjoyed most of the lessons but I NEVER do, and still don’t, think of myself as a ‘dancer’. I think of myself as a Musical Theatre performer, so I much perferred the jazz classes and Musical Theatre lessons and workshops.
At the moment…
I have just finished 3 years and just under 800 shows of CATS on the European Tour, playing nearly all the boys and on occassions some of the girls! I’m resting until the end of January 2014 when I start rehearsals again for the UK Tour of CATS again as a Swing.
A typical day now…
When performing I usually get up about 11am. I have never been a morning person so working nights is great for me. If I’m on that evening I usually get a call around that time to let me know which character I am going to play. I would then spend time thinking about that ‘track’ and maybe watch the DVD if it has been a while. I prefer to do this early in the day an once I get to theatre I can go over the finer details after warm up, if there is partner work or a number, for example.
I would usually leave for the theatre about 2pm, go and get lunch about 3.30pm so it has time to digest and give me energy. I like to get to the theatre in enough time so my make up and wig is on and ready for warm up (as I don’t want to sit down for another 30 minutes after the warm up). The show starts at 7.30pm and if I’m on stage its non stop for 2 and a half hours. Unfortunately the show looks easy and effortless, and I guess it’s supposed to as you never see a Cat out of breath (!) but sometimes I wish people could understand just how difficult it is. It’s over 30 hours a week of cardio! You are always on stage or in the wings for 30 seconds to do a change, but you are always crawling, jumping, running and leaping.
The show finishes about 10.30pm so I try and take 5 minutes to stretch and then take my make up off. I would have had a few snacks throughout the show but I’m usually starving by the end, so probably have some food, a bath and then try and relax… and then bed!
How long have you been performing?
I guess I have been performing since Junior school, doing little plays and things like that. As for performing professionally, I left Urdang and within 3 weeks I had signed my first contract for a UK Tour, so I have been a professional since 2005. I have had the odd time when I’ve had to do other work, but most of the time I have already had a job to go to… I’m very lucky.
Did I start young?
No, but I really wish I had. I would have loved to have done gymnastics, although I think I would have wanted to be a rhythmic gymnast! But, the thing about starting late is that I really knew it was what I wanted and I was going to get it, no matter what. I don’t know if it was arrogant or childhood fooliness but the thought of me not acheiving was never there. I wasn’t competitve with anyone else, just myself; I want to be the best that I can be.
Do I still take classes?
Absolutely. You have to look after yourself and I enjoy it so much. It takes my mind away from everything. I go to class and I watch YouTube a lot for inspiration. When I was growing up the Internet was very new: people now can learn anything from the Internet. I had a few programmes and a few videos to inspire me.
Whats the best part of performing?
The best part is that I’m living the dream. I feel very lucky to be able to do that and that I can bring joy to other people with this show, which changed my life. As I am getting older I also understand that we are all human and I go to work each day and give the best I can. I might be sick or upset or exhausted, but I try my best. I can only give what I have on that day. Somedays are better than others – but with CATS if you’re angry you can use that in the show and usually after the Jellicle Ball you’ll feel great – you’ll want to be sick, but you’ll feel great!
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to be part of ‘the industry’?
My advice is that you have to work extremely hard and enjoy doing that, or this business might not be for you. With reality TV shows at the moment ‘Show Business’ is very popular but people believe that they don’t have to work hard and they can just go to one audition! It takes years of training and countless rejections before you will get anywhere. If you want security and a nice house and a car by 25 years old, this isn’t the business for you. You have to be honest with yourself and go for parts that you are right for. You never stop learning, and try and be nice, because NO ONE wants to work with someone who is difficult and arrogant! The last thing is ‘HARD WORK beats Talent when Talent doesn’t WORK HARD!’