Employers
Typical employers include: 1. performing dance companies, including ballet, contemporary, street, Asian and African companies 2. clubs, cabarets and cruise ships, either in the UK or abroad 3. musical theatre, either in London's West End or on tour 4. community dance organisations.
It's common to combine performance with a range of other roles with.
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Professional Development
Training continues throughout a dancer's career, with even the most experienced dancers attending daily classes.
Out-of-work dancers still need to continue to attend open classes in order to maintain and develop skills.
Details of courses are available from CDMT.
You must be willing to take direction and constructive criticism as well as contributi.
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Qualifications
Training to become a dancer often starts from a very young age, particularly for classical ballet, but many other dancers start training in their teens or even when they're at university.
It's vital to have a high level of training and ability in at least one form of dance, for example: 1. classical ballet 2. modern stage dance 3. contemporary danc.
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Responsibilities
As a dancer, you'll need to: 1. prepare for and attend auditions and casting sessions 2. get ready for performances by rehearsing and exercising 3. perform to live audiences and for television, film and music video productions 4. study and create choreography 5. discuss and interpret choreography 6. learn and use other skills such as singing and ac.
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Salary
Dancers' salaries are notoriously variable, but Equity, the trade union for the performing arts, has negotiated minimum weekly pay rates with the Independent Theatre Council (ITC).
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Skills
You'll need to demonstrate the following: 1. a thorough knowledge of dance and its related issues 2. physical fitness, stamina and perseverance 3. motivation and discipline 4. communication and interpersonal skills 5. creativity 6. resilience 7. confidence and self-belief 8. adaptability to the different disciplines of TV, film and theatre 9. teamw.
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What to Expect
Many jobs are based in London, but opportunities are also available with regional dance companies and organisations, as well as with touring companies.
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Work Experience
Joining a local dance company or dance school can help build your experience of performing.
Work shadowing a dance teacher can also be useful.
Seek out local opportunities in your area or holiday programmes.
You may also want to consider setting up your own company.
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Working Hours
Hours can be long and unsocial.
Training and rehearsals take place during the day with most performances taking place in the evening.
Many shows run for six days each week.
Many dancers work on a freelance basis on short, fixed-term contracts.
However, there are some opportunities for full-time work with dance companies.