Top Career Options for Dancers

With the popularity of new shows like Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance the art of dancing has recaptured the public's interest in a way that hasn't been seen since the days of Fred Astaire. Celebrity dancers like Paula Abdul, Rosie Perez, and Shakira are at the top of the music and television charts. New reality shows give everyday people the chance to show off their secret skills. But what if you've got the skills to dance professionally, and are looking for a way into the entertainment industry? There are many options out there for aspiring dancers to take their talents to the big time. If you've got the abilities and the willingness to put in the time, learn how to make a career as a professional dancer.

Ballet: Ballet dancing is the oldest and hardest type of professional dancing. Ballet groups range from regional companies to big time urban repertoires. The average professional ballet dancer spends upwards of eight hours a day practicing and rehearsing, and even more when a show is about to debut. Though it's not immediately obvious, ballet dancers are also athletes in peak physical condition. An incredible amount of strength and agility is required to pull off the most advanced maneuvers, and the ballet dancer must make such feats look graceful and effortless. Most professional ballet dancers have trained since they were children to make it, and have gone to special dance schools.

Music Videos: The majority of music videos feature a large cast of background dancers. The kinds of dancing performed can range from line dancing in a country-western music video to "crunk" and club dancing in a rap video. Many background artists in music videos are cast from open casting calls where people can demonstrate their dance skills for directors. Music videos are a great way to get on screen with your dancing skills without the formality and commitment of a stage show or dancing company. If you manage to build up a resume and clip reel from appearing in music videos, you can start getting featured dancing roles, close-ups, and even singing roles. Also, when you've got something to show for your effort, it's much easier to secure a talent agent, who can greatly increase the amount of work you get. (Learn more about how to get cast in a music video here.)

Concert Tours: Similar to music videos, many singers like Beyonce cast a dance company to back them up on tour. These back-up positions are usually filled through scheduled try-outs. Depending on how long the tour runs, the job could last for months. Bigger shows like those put on by Justin Timberlake share more in common with traveling theater productions than concerts, with advanced light cues, pyrotechnics, special effects, and complicated choreography. The set list is nearly written in stone, and the goal is to pull off a slick, seamless presentation. Background dancers are critical for these kinds of shows, and you have to be prepared to do hours-long live shows for huge audiences for many days on end. If you land one of these roles, the pay is very good and you'll make many connections in the industry. You'll also get a big name on your resume and a proven professional track record. This will open up many opportunities.

Showgirls: Showgirls are company dancers that perform in lavish dance revues in casinos or places like the Radio City Music Hall. These kinds of shows are all about dancing, and the dance company is the main focus. Unlike ballet, the performers wear flamboyant costumes covered in sequins and feathers. They often dance in complex choreographed routines like those seen in old style film musicals, with high kicks and lots of glamour. They can either accompany a featured singer like Celine Dion or Wayne Newton, or dance on their own. These positions are based on staff contracts, and contracts can last for multiple years.

Theater Company: Most big Broadway or touring musical shows employ a large pool of company dancers. They don't usually have dialogue, but do sing along to big song numbers. The type of dancing varies, but falls under the umbrella of choreographed stage dancing. These roles require a lot of flexibility and rehearsal time, and are given out based on auditions. The pay depends on the size of the show, but is generally high and will last as long as the show runs. Touring shows have a set schedule and period of employment, and the housing is paid for.

Choreography: Being a professional choreographer is the goal of many dancers. Dancing careers tend to end when people are still fairly young given the physical demands of the job and the exhausting nature of performance. The next step after that is to start creating and choreographing your own dancing, which can apply from anything to ballet to cabaret shows to big-budget Broadway musicals. You cast the dancers, design moves to the music you're working with, and develop a stage routine.

With all of the different kinds of professional dancing out there plenty of opportunities exist for talented dancers. Just work hard and practice those pirouettes!

Have a question? Ask our experts!