From ancient times to the present, dancers have expressed ideas, stories, and rhythm with their bodies. They use a variety of dance forms that allow free movement and self-expression, including classical ballet, modern dance, and culturally specific dance styles. Many dancers combine performance work with teaching or choreography.
Dancers perform in a variety of settings, including opera, musical theater, and other musical productions, and may present folk, ethnic, tap, jazz, and other popular kinds of dance. They also perform in television, movies, music videos, and commercials, in which they also may sing and act. Dancers most often perform as part of a group, although a few top artists perform solo.
Dancers work with choreographers, who create original dances and develop new interpretations of existing dances. Because few dance routines are written down, choreographers instruct performers at rehearsals to achieve the desired effect. In addition, choreographers usually are involved in auditioning performers.
Work environment. Dance is strenuous. Many dancers stop performing by their late thirties because of the physical demands on the body. However, some continue to work in the field as choreographers, dance teachers and coaches, or artistic directors. Others move into administrative positions, such as company managers. A few celebrated dancers, however, continue performing most of their lives.
Daily rehearsals require very long hours. Many dance companies tour for part of the year to supplement a limited performance schedule at home. Dancers who perform in musical productions and other family entertainment spend much of their time on the road; others work in nightclubs or on cruise ships. Most dance performances are in the evening, whereas rehearsals and practice take place during the day. As a result, dancers often work very long and late hours. Generally, dancers and choreographers work in modern and temperature-controlled facilities; however, some studios may be older and less comfortable.
| 1. | Direct rehearsals to instruct dancers in how to use dance steps, and in techniques to achieve desired effects. |
| 2. | Read and study story lines and musical scores to determine how to translate ideas and moods into dance movements. |
| 3. | Design dances for individual dancers, dance companies, musical theatre, opera, fashion shows, film, television productions and special events, and for dancers ranging from beginners to professionals. |
| 4. | Choose the music, sound effects, or spoken narrative to accompany a dance. |
| 5. | Advise dancers on how to stand and move properly, teaching correct dance techniques to help prevent injuries. |
| 6. | Coordinate production music with music directors. |
| 7. | Audition performers for one or more dance parts. |
| 8. | Direct and stage dance presentations for various forms of entertainment. |
| 9. | Develop ideas for creating dances, keeping notes and sketches to record influences. |
| 10. | Train, exercise, and attend dance classes to maintain high levels of technical proficiency, physical ability, and physical fitness. |
| 11. | Teach students, dancers, and other performers about rhythm and interpretive movement. |
| 12. | Assess students' dancing abilities to determine where improvement or change is needed. |
| 13. | Experiment with different types of dancers, steps, dances, and placements, testing ideas informally to get feedback from dancers. |
| 14. | Seek influences from other art forms such as theatre, the visual arts, and architecture. |
| 15. | Design sets, lighting, costumes, and other artistic elements of productions, in collaboration with cast members. |
| 16. | Record dance movements and their technical aspects, using a technical understanding of the patterns and formations of choreography. |
| 17. | Re-stage traditional dances and works in dance companies' repertoires, developing new interpretations. |
| 18. | Manage dance schools, or assist in their management. |
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