How important is music-reading skill for musical theatre actors?

Question: How important is music-reading skill for musical theatre actors!?

I'm an actor who sings well but I'm honestly too shy to audition for musical theatre because I don't have solid sight-reading skills!. I have had voice training and practice with choral singing, and have a very good ear, but I'm unsure if you need to be able to read music in the rehearsal process when learning the score!.

Does the musical director working on the show help you!?

P!.S!. I'm referring only to professional Equity theatre!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

It sounds as if you can already read music!. Lots of people get by without being able to sight-sing!.

However, it is a skill that can be developed!. Here's a couple of good books to aid you:
http://www!.singers!.com/instructional/sig!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Knowing how to read music is not always required but sure does help a lot!. Reading music isn't hard at all and you could probably get treble and bass clef down in a week or two!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Well, I know that you don't need to know how to read music for non-professional theatre!. Are you Equity!?Www@QuestionHome@Com