How To Get A Job As A Choreographer
Choreographers use dance to interpret a wide variety of pictures, ideas, stories, emotions, and moods, and to communicate these pictures, ideas, stories, emotions, and moods to an audience. Successful Choreographers have the right combination of innate skill, knowledge, and experience.
Choreographers may work in dance studios, in films, in the theater, in television, and for ballet or opera companies. They may also teach in high schools, colleges, universities, and dance studios.
To be a successful Choreographer requires many different skills. If goes without saying that Choreographers must love dance. They must also be creative, imaginative, and patient. They must be able to envision their final creation and communicate this vision to dancers. They must be physically fit, and flexible. They must have excellent communication skills and be excellent teachers. They must be able to work well as part of a team of other professionals. They must understand the human body, what it can, and cannot do. They must also understand the bodies of the dancers with which they work. Choreographers must be able to work under pressure, and within an established timeline. Choreographers must have knowledge, not only of dance, but also of music, drama, history, and literature.
Choreographers work in studios of all sizes. They work at all hours, as needed, when studio space is available, when dancers are available, and as the job demands. Some travel may be involved in this job. This job may be stressful.
Choreographers start each assignment by becoming familiar with the music, and the dancers. They create a routine in an appropriate style, and lay out the steps involved. The recording method varies with the Choreographer, younger ones often using a computer. The Choreographer must then teach this routine to the dancer or dancers, demonstrating the steps as required. They conduct rehearsals, make changes as needed, and, in order to perfect their craft, they attend the performance. Choreographers may also select music, design costumes, and conduct auditions.
Education
Most Choreographers begin dancing at a very young age. They need to learn a variety of styles and forms of dance. Having knowledge of different forms of dance will increase the later demand for your services. Dancers need to perform at every opportunity.
Many professional dancers become Choreographers when their dancing careers are over.
While in high school, it would be wise to include courses in English, music, drama, history, and computers. Get all the experience you can, whether paid or volunteer, in and around dance studios and the theater.
Those who wish to get jobs as Choreographers should get at least a college degree in Choreography. Make sure the program you choose is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance. See their web site, as given below.
http://nasd.arts-accredit.org/
Continue on with an advanced degree, if possible, so that you can learn all skills and disciplines related to dancing and Choreography. Competition for jobs as Choreographers is stiff. The more education you have, the better are your chances for jobs, as well as for advancement.
Once you have completed your education, you will want to find an internship or an apprenticeship. This is where it is advantageous to have both experience and contacts.
Once you have some experience working under the supervision of a skilled, experienced Choreographer, you can apply for a job a an assistant Choreographer. With education and added experience, you will be ready to become an independent Choreographer.
