When movement is like our first language, being asked to actually speak lines on a TV/film job could easily make any dancer anxious. Artist, Jillian Schmitz, has experience herself and generously shares her insights from being on the job:
My advice to other dancers who aspire to have speaking roles is to explore some kind of acting technique, if it's reading a book on acting, taking some classes or asking an actor friend to assist you, everything can help. Get comfortable talking out loud and find opportunities to speak in front of groups, read aloud, or be interviewed etc. As a dancer you can always work on acting even if you don't have lines. Within any performance or combo, be present in your character and create your own story if one hasn't been given to you. Always know what you're selling. As professionals we are always selling something, a product, a feeling or fantasy, a character, or we're selling a story.