How to become A Dancer

• Professional Dancer 
• Backup Dancer 
• Ballet Dancer
• Ballerina
• Tap Dancer 
• Jazz Dancer 
• Hip-Hop Dancer 
• Ballroom Dancer

What do Dancers do?

A Dancer would typically need to:

• Express stories and ideas through complex dance movements performed on-stage, on-air broadcasts or in a video to entertain an audience
• Prepare for and attend auditions and casting sessions in upcoming shows or open job positions within a dance company
• Learn and rehearse complex dance movements and exercise several hours daily to perfect their craft and ready themselves for performance
• Perform to live audiences and for television, film and music video productions
• Study, discuss, interpret and create new and emerging dance routines in collaboration with instructors, choreographers and other dancers
• Learn and use related skills such as singing and acting to enable participation in musical theatre
• Take care of costumes and equipment; attend promotional events such as photography sessions for the production they are currently involved in 
• Send out their CV or photographs and video footage, deliver presentations, run workshops or attend auditions and meetings to promote themselves
• Teach dance, if so inclined, in schools or private sessions
• Encourage and enable people, especially children to understand, appreciate and become involved in dance
• Run workshops that focus on niche groups such as individuals with disabilities or a history of trauma
• Undertake administrative,  promotional or stage management work, especially if self-employed or working for a small company
• Liaise with arts and dance organisations and theatres for funding and contracts

A Dancer may work on stage, on set, in shows at concerts, casinos, theme parks and on cruise ships or in dance, television and film studios. You will also spend a significant amount of time practising your craft in a studio, on location or at home. 

Dancers may perform as part of a groupMembers of a touring dance company will need to travel on a frequent basis.

Although most Dancers work freelance on short, fixed-term contracts, full-time work with dance companies is a viable option. More often than not, you will spend the day in rehearsals and have performances in the evening or at night. Many shows run for six days a week.

Your schedule may vary, depending on your work location. Long and unsocial hours are a given, with extended periods of physical activity, spread across early mornings, evenings, late nights, weekends and national holidays.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Dancers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies. Freelancing and self-employment are viable options.

Dancers are generally employed by:

• Performing Arts Companies (Ballet, Contemporary, Street, Asian & African Dance Companies)
• Clubs
• Cabarets
• Cruise Ships
• Musical Theatres
• Community Dance Organisations
• Private Dance Schools
• Further Education Colleges
• Higher Education Institutions
• Local Authorities
• National & Regional Dance Development Bodies

Professional associations and organisations, such as The National  Dance Education Organization are crucial for Dancers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

Since big dance companies are affiliated with a union and jobs relating to television, film and stage are usually union jobs, an authorised union card will render a professional Dancer eligible for auditions and allows the union to represent legitimate members.

• Frequent performance- and practice-related injuries and illnesses
• Extreme physical demands lead to end of active performance by late thirties
• Extremely competitive field notorious for its lack of financial and job security
• The constant stress of losing one’s role or job to younger and more physically fit talent

Dancing is a disciplined art and demands a life-long commitment to training and practice. Aspiring professional Dancers usually begin their training around the age of five and start auditioning for permanent work at 18. 

The years-long intensive training available through dance companies and performing art schools helps develop muscle strength and the techniques to hone their talent. Students acquire the experience necessary to gain admittance to a professional dance company. 

Ballet classes offer rookies an essential foundation to gain the strength, muscle memory and flexibility required to master any dance style.

Consider relocating to a city where entertainment flourishes to increase your chances of realising your professional ambitions. At the same time, check out the art communities, dance companies or dance schools in your current location where you can volunteer to dance.

Besides helping you enhance your craft, participation in regular dance classes will improve your physical stamina and add to your experience. Attendant auditions offer a viable avenue of getting noticed by the director or choreographer and being offered a booking.

Attend workshops conducted by established choreographers and members of reputed dance companies, since a good impression may lead to future performance opportunities.

Apply to leading professional dance companies which have intensive summer training programs from which they might select candidates for admission to their regular full-time training programs.

Although it is not mandatory, completing a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in dance or musical theatre offered by the departments or theatre or fine arts at a university, conservatoire or performing arts college is highly recommended. 

Subjects such as choreography, production, dance history, teaching and movement and body alignment will give an aspiring Dancer the practical and theoretical knowledge required to make a place for themselves in this highly competitive field.

Focus on the study of languages, physical education, music, theatre and other performing arts in high school.

Certification demonstrates a Dancer’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training and passing an examination. 

Accredited certification in a variety of dance styles such as modern dance, jazz, ballet and hip-hop from an objective and reputed organisation can help increase your chances of advancement and allow you to become an independent consultant. Most entrants have previous formal training.

In addition, certification in education and training, communications and media and therapy and counselling will open up diverse job opportunities. 

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. With no set career path to follow, some Dancers continue to focus on dancing, touring, making a name for themselves and earning more. 

However, many Dancers prefer to retire from performing once they reach their late 30s and branch out into teaching, choreography, dance administration, dance journalism, dance movement and psychotherapy.

Those Dancers who choose to progress to teaching in the private or public sector may run their own dance courses or a franchise within a health and fitness club where they teach young students. They may also teach dance at dance studios and conservatories or the elementary school, high school or college level.

Other career options include working as a Dance Notator, Dance Captain in musical theatre or a Ballet Master/Mistress in concert dance companies. You will get to lead rehearsals or work with less-experienced dancers when the choreographer is not present at practice.

Physically fit candidates with significant experience and expertise in different dance styles have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Dancer build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning.

You will need a college degree to teach dance in a purely academic setting. Dance studios and conservatories may accept significant prior experience in lieu of a formal degree.

Your training will continue throughout your professional career; regular classes will help you maintain and develop your dance skills. 

In addition, Dancers will need to maintain a healthy body to remain fit and be ready to perform the most complex movements required or risk being sidelined by younger performers. Stick to whole foods and take up running, swimming, biking and lifting weights to strengthen your muscles and reduce the occurrence of injuries.

Complementary training in choreography, community theatre work, dance administration, dance teaching, notation, singing, acting, fitness activities such as yoga and Pilates and correlative therapies will help you look at diverse options to advance your career. Short courses in IT and project management will come in handy when seeking temporary work or work in dance administration and development.

Be willing to accept the recommendations and constructive criticism from directors and choreographers while offering your own ideas and suggestions.

Do your research and zero in on a reputed and committed talent agent to overcome the challenge of establishing yourself as a professional Dancer. A talent agent will help you navigate the entertainment industry, find auditions and submit dance reels and resumes.

Traits That Make For a Distinguished Dancer

Accomplished Dancers are physically fit, agile with an excellent sense of balance, flexible, coordinated and blessed with oodles of musical and artistic ability and creativity. Motivation, discipline, perseverance, communication and interpersonal skills and confidence imbued with a healthy dose of humility are traits that will help you make a name for yourself as a professional Dancer.

The Right Talent Agent/Agency Can Work Wonders For Your Career

An ideal talent agent will not expect anything more than 10% of your earnings when you land a job or a spot in a show. Check with other Dancers or choreographers before deciding on an agent who seems to share your vision and is genuinely interested in furthering your interests.

If you wish to go with a talent agency that can represent you properly, a recommendation letter from your dance teacher, a resume detailing your education and performance experience and well-made footage of a dance routine that showcases your style and talent will go a long way in fulfilling your wish. 

In the absence of a professional project, you can list the competitions, local productions and musicals you have taken part in to add to your performance experience.

At An Audition

Auditions usually require submission of one’s resume. Ensure it is easy to read, precise and concise and includes your complete name, contact details, union status and dance experience. 

It should contain a few minutes-long dance reel that illustrates well-made video footage of your dancing skills and experience along with current, professional headshots to help choreographers, agents and casting directors remember you and make a decision in your favour.

Why Attend Auditions

Auditions serve to help Dancers exhibit their skills and talents to industry professionals. 

To render them less stressful and more purposeful, make a checklist of the requirements for dress codes and rules, research the choreographer you are going to perform for, work on your freestyle and practice your close-ups by having a friend or family member film you.

Get adequate sleep before the performance, dress in sync with the rules, arrive early and observe the judges’ reactions to other performers so you can give a stellar performance.

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing Dancers have more flexible work schedules and locations. They have full ownership of the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.

A full-time Dancer, on the other hand, has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

Michael Flatley of Riverdance is the world’s highest-paid record-holding dancer, earning $1.6 million a week during his Lord of the Dance show.

When talented and dedicated Dancers perform, they need no wings to fly.

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain