What does a dancer do?

What is a Dancer?

A dancer is someone who uses movements to express ideas and stories in performances. There are many types of dance, such as ballet, contemporary, tap, jazz, ballroom and hip-hop. Dancers commit to years of learning, practicing and perfecting their dance skills. Some people with dance backgrounds become dance teachers or choreographers.

What does a Dancer do?

Dancers typically do the following:

• Audition for a part in a show or for a job with a dance company
• Learn complex dance movements that entertain an audience
• Spend several hours each day in rehearsals to prepare for their performance
• Study new and emerging types of dance
• Work closely with instructors or other dancers to interpret or modify choreography
• Attend promotional events, such as photography sessions, for the production in which they are appearing

Successful dancers must have excellent balance so they can move their bodies without falling or losing their sense of rhythm. They must be agile, flexible, coordinated, and musical. They also need artistic ability and creativity to express ideas through movement. They are often physically active for long periods, so they must be able to work for many hours without getting tired. Most dance routines involve a group, so dancers must be able to work together to be successful. They need to be able to accept rejection after an audition and continue to practice for a future role. Some dancers take on more responsibility by becoming a dance captain in musical theatre or a ballet master/ballet mistress in concert dance companies, by leading rehearsals, or by working with less-experienced dancers when the choreographer is not at practice.

Dance takes a toll on a person’s body, giving dancers one of the highest rates of non-fatal, on-the-job injuries. Many dancers stop performing by their late thirties because of the physical demands dancing makes on the body. Non-performing dancers may continue to work as a choreographer, director, or dance teacher.

What is the workplace of a Dancer like?

Dancers’ schedules vary, depending on where they work. Most dancers spend the day in rehearsals and have performances at night, giving them long workdays. Dancers may perform as part of a group in a variety of settings, including the ballet, musical theatre, and modern dance companies. Many perform on TV or in music videos, where they also may sing and act, or perform in shows at concerts, casinos, theme parks, or on cruise ships.