What are Dancers and Choreographers?A Dancer uses movement, rhythm, and expression to perform routines for entertainment, often interpreting a choreographer's vision. A Choreographer is the creative visionary who designs and creates original dance routines and sequences, instructs dancers on their execution, and adapts movement to tell a story or fit a piece of music for various productions (stage, film, music videos, etc.). Both roles require intense physical training, artistic creativity, and professional persistence.
Typical Education
The typical education for a Dancer is many years of formal, intensive training beginning at a young age; Choreographers typically have more than five years of experience as a dancer, and often pursue a Bachelor's (BFA) or Master's (MFA) degree in Dance or Choreography.
Salary Range in the United States
Due to the highly competitive and sporadic nature of employment, pay is often calculated hourly, and salaries vary drastically by industry (e.g., performing arts vs. instruction).
Role | Median Hourly Wage (50th Percentile) | Median Annual Wage (50th Percentile) |
|---|
Choreographers | $25.00 | $52,000 |
Dancers | $24.95 | Data not consistently available due to seasonal employment |
Source: Choreographers & Dancers - Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023) and
Day in the Life
How to Become a Dancer or Choreographer
- Begin Intensive Training Early: Start dance classes (ballet, modern, jazz, tap, or specific street styles) at a young age and attend high-level professional training programs or conservatories.
- Obtain Formal Education (Choreographer): Many choreographers pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Dance to focus on composition, theory, and pedagogy.
- Build a Performance Résumé (Dancer): Audition consistently for professional dance companies, musicals, films, or commercial work to gain performance experience and union eligibility (e.g., AGMA).
- Transition to Choreography: After years of performing experience, begin creating and staging your own original works for student showcases, community theaters, or small production companies to build a choreographic portfolio.
- Network and Teach: Work as a dance instructor or assistant choreographer to gain teaching experience and make connections within the industry that can lead to professional commissions.
Essential Skills
- Physical Dexterity and Stamina: Dancers require exceptional balance, coordination, strength, and the ability to maintain peak physical exertion over long rehearsals and performance runs.
- Creative Imagination (Choreographer): The ability to conceptualize movement, translate abstract ideas or stories into physical patterns, and create original sequences that fit music and theme.
- Musicality and Rhythm: A keen, innate sense of rhythm and timing is crucial for both performing movements accurately and designing choreography that complements the musical score.
- Resilience and Persistence: The mental fortitude to handle frequent rejection at auditions and the discipline to maintain an intense training regimen despite injuries or long hours.
- Communication and Leadership: Choreographers must clearly articulate their vision, provide constructive feedback, and motivate a diverse group of dancers to perform as a cohesive unit.
Key Responsibilities
- Designing and Staging Routines (Choreographer): Creates original dance movements, selects appropriate music or sound, and determines the precise spacing and formations for a performance, often recording them using notation systems.
- Rehearsal and Interpretation (Dancer): Attends and participates in daily class and rehearsal, learning complex choreography quickly and interpreting the movement to convey the required emotion, character, or artistic intent.
- Physical Maintenance and Health (Dancer): Commits to continuous training, conditioning, injury prevention, and physical therapy to ensure the body is in peak condition for performance demands.
- Collaboration with Production Team (Choreographer): Works closely with the Director, Music Director, and Set/Costume Designers to ensure the choreography integrates seamlessly with all other production elements.
- Auditioning and Self-Promotion (Shared): Dancers must attend numerous auditions, while choreographers must showcase their work and actively seek out new commissions or teaching opportunities.
Five Common Interview Questions
- "How do you ensure you stay strong and fit enough to perform during a long production run or tour?"
- Purpose: Tests commitment to self-care, dedication to physical conditioning, and knowledge of injury prevention.
- "Describe a challenging dance routine you had to learn/create. How did you approach breaking it down or teaching it?"
- Purpose: Evaluates the candidate's technical skills, teaching methodology, and systematic approach to complex problems (whether learning or creating).
- "How do you handle constructive criticism and incorporate feedback into your performance or choreographic process?"
- Purpose: Assesses professionalism, collaborative spirit, and the ability to adapt and grow based on outside direction.
- "Tell me about a time you had to perform under pressure after a mistake, injury, or unexpected cue miss."
- Purpose: Tests your ability to stay calm, improvise, and maintain focus and professionalism during high-stress performance moments.
- "What is your unique voice or artistic vision, and why do you want to work with this specific company/director/music?"
- Purpose: Gauges creative maturity, self-awareness of artistic style, and understanding of the company's repertoire or project's needs.
Questions?
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