Choreographers
Overview
Choreographers create dance performances that tell stories and express emotions through movement, working with various styles like ballet, hip-hop, contemporary, and jazz. They sequence dance moves, select music, audition and teach dancers, and collaborate with costume designers and lighting technicians to bring their creative vision to life. Using digital music software and video technology, they can experiment with different combinations and document their work. Many choreographers start by training in multiple dance styles and may pursue degrees in dance, theater, or performing arts.
Did you know?
The American dance industry is extremely competitive, requiring extensive networking, continuous skill development, and often relocation to major entertainment hubs like New York or Los Angeles.
At a Glance
Median Wage
$51,018.13 Avg/yr
Growth
Fast Growing
Top Skill
Active Listening
Key Responsibilities
- Assess students' dancing abilities to determine where improvement or change is needed.
- Restage traditional dances and works in dance companies' repertoires, developing new interpretations.
- 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.
- Choose the music, sound effects, or spoken narrative to accompany a dance.
- Coordinate production music with music directors.
- Read and study story lines and musical scores to determine how to translate ideas and moods into dance movements.
- Manage dance schools, or assist in their management.
- Experiment with different types of dancers, steps, dances, and placements, testing ideas informally to get feedback from dancers.
- Teach students, dancers, and other performers about rhythm and interpretive movement.
- Advise dancers on standing and moving properly, teaching correct dance techniques to help prevent injuries.
- Audition performers for one or more dance parts.
- Direct and stage dance presentations for various forms of entertainment.
- Record dance movements and their technical aspects, using a technical understanding of the patterns and formations of choreography.
- Develop ideas for creating dances, keeping notes and sketches to record influences.
- Direct rehearsals to instruct dancers in dance steps and in techniques to achieve desired effects.
- Train, exercise, and attend dance classes to maintain high levels of technical proficiency, physical ability, and physical fitness.
- Design sets, lighting, costumes, and other artistic elements of productions, in collaboration with cast members.
- Seek influences from other art forms, such as theatre, the visual arts, and architecture.
Career Considerations
Highly Competitive Market
The American dance industry is extremely competitive, requiring extensive networking, continuous skill development, and often relocation to major entertainment hubs like New York or Los Angeles.
Irregular Income Patterns
Most choreographers work on a project basis with inconsistent earnings, making financial planning and having multiple income streams essential for career sustainability.
Physical Demands and Career Longevity
The physically demanding nature of dance requires choreographers to plan for career transitions, often moving into teaching, directing, or studio management as they age.