Dancer

Job Duties

A day in the life of a dancer varies hugely, depending on the nature of the job they are working on. In addition to traditional performances in front of a live audience in musical theatre, dancers also perform on TV and in music and internet videos, in which they may be required to also sing or act. Many dancers perform in shows at casinos, on cruise ships, and in theme parks. Although schedules vary, this guide focuses on musical theatre and the fundamental responsibilities and training that are universal across all types of employment.

Dance auditions are fast-paced and intense, and each dancer is in competition with many, many other talented dancers. You must be able to quickly pick up a short dance combination and perform it in front of an audition panel with confidence and skill. There will often be several callbacks before the cast is decided upon. Following a successful audition, dancers rehearse for several hours a day to learn complex choreography and prepare for their performance. They work closely with the show’s choreographer and dance captain to ensure that their artistic vision is portrayed effectively upon the stage. Rehearsal days are long and intense, learning and combining dance routines with lyrics and acting lines. Dancers learn their own track for the show, but must also be familiar with the overall vision to ensure they achieve the desired aesthetic.

Before a show opens, dancers often need to attend promotional events for the production as an essential member of the company. They then commit to performing eight times a week on stage with the same level of passion and energy. Regular dance calls continue while the show is ongoing to ensure standards are maintained and to make any modifications as necessary.

A dancer must continually hone their craft, studying new and emerging styles of dance and fusing types of dance in innovative and exciting routines. They attend regular dance classes, as well as classes in singing and acting.

Terminology

• Callback: An invitation to return for a second audition or interview.
• Choreography: The sequence of steps and movements in dance, also the orchestrated and rehearsed movements for actors, based on the script.
• Jazz: A genre of music developed especially from ragtime and blues and characterized by syncopated rhythms, complex chords, elements of improvisation, and distortions of pitch and timbre.
• Street Dance: a style of dancing to hip-hop and other popular music originating among amateur dancers in cities.