What Do Dancers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Dancers perform dances. May perform on stage, for on-air broadcasting, or for video recording. They also prepare pointe shoes, by sewing or other means, for use in rehearsals and performance.

Other tasks include:

• Study and practice dance moves required in roles.
• Harmonize body movements to rhythm of musical accompaniment.
• Train, exercise, and attend dance classes to maintain high levels of technical proficiency, physical ability, and physical fitness.
• Perform in productions, singing or acting in addition to dancing, if required.
• Coordinate dancing with that of partners or dance ensembles.
• Develop self-understanding of physical capabilities and limitations, and choose dance styles accordingly.

We asked Dancers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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68% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 49% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Dancers coordinate dancing with that of partners or dance ensembles. They study and practice dance moves required in roles.

A typical day for a Dancer will also include:

• Harmonize body movements to rhythm of musical accompaniment.
• Develop self-understanding of physical capabilities and limitations, and choose dance styles accordingly.
• Train, exercise, and attend dance classes to maintain high levels of technical proficiency, physical ability, and physical fitness.
• Collaborate with choreographers to refine or modify dance steps.
• Perform in productions, singing or acting in addition to dancing, if required.

We asked some Dancers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	1% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	48% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	53% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	12% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	2% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	52% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Dancers also attend costume fittings, photography sessions, and makeup calls associated with dance performances. They may also prepare pointe shoes, by sewing or other means, for use in rehearsals and performance.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Dancers Teach dance students. They might also Monitor the field of dance to remain aware of current trends and innovations.

In addition, they Develop self-understanding of physical capabilities and limitations, and choose dance styles accordingly.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Perform classical, modern, or acrobatic dances in productions, expressing stories, rhythm, and sound with their bodies.

To some Dancers, it is also their responsibility to Devise and choreograph dance for self or others.

Working life

Less than 40 hours per week

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as a Dancer, you can expect to work less than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/entertainment-and-sports/dancers-and-choreographers.htm

http://www.danceusa.org/

http://www.nea.gov/

http://nasd.arts-accredit.org/