Eddie WoodDo you want to know how to become a professional dancer? Then you are in the right blog.
There are two ways to look at dancing: as a sport and as an activity. In order to succeed, you need more than just a pretty face.
However, anything is possible if you have the right combination of talent, self-belief, and perseverance.
You can relax and connect with your true self through dancing. But even if you aren’t an expert, you need to enjoy it. Do what you love, and you’ll succeed.
Keep reading to know more about how to become a professional dancer.
What Does it Mean to be a Professional Dancer?
There are many different types of professional dancers, each with a unique set of skills and qualifications.
When performing in front of an audience, dance professionals put on a show where they perform choreographed routines and use their bodies to communicate their feelings.
They perform in theater, movies, music videos, and Broadway shows in a variety of genres, including modern dance, contemporary, street dance, ballet, and hip-hop.
What is it Like to be a Professional Dancer?
In order to create dance routines for stage performances, professional dancers collaborate with other performers, directors, and choreographers alike.
In order to pursue a career as a professional dancer, one must be employed by one of the many prestigious dance companies.
Learning complicated routines and interpreting the choreographer’s work takes time. Professional dancers also have the following duties:
1.To put in the practice time needed for a performance.
2. Preparing for auditions as well as attending
3. Trying out a variety of dance styles
4. Putting safety first
5. Acquiring new talents, such as acting or singing, is always a good idea.
6. Being punctual for rehearsals, promotional events, and auditions
7. Maintaining good relationships with other dancers, instructors, and senior staff members is important.
Professional dancers work in a wide range of fields, but the three listed here account for the majority of them. To name a few:
a. Dancers who work for a single company for a long period of time are known as “company dancers.”
b. It is common for dancers in commercial projects, such as movies, music, cruise ships and musicals to be freelancers.
c. If you can’t dance anymore, or if teaching is your true passion, you may become a dance teacher instead.
A Professional Dancer Needs These Abilities.
If you want to have a successful career, you need more than just talent. These are the abilities you’ll need:
a. The ability to come up with new and creative ways to convey your thoughts and feelings through dance is a prerequisite for success.
b. Physical stamina: You must be able to work for long periods of time without losing your balance or falling over due to a lack of mobility or strength.
c. You’ll be working with a lot of people, so you’ll need to have good interpersonal skills.
d. Having a good attitude, adhering to the rules, and meeting expectations are all parts of discipline.
e. You must be able to persevere through years of training and persevere in the face of adversity in the future.
f. You need to be able to pay attention to what directors and choreographers are telling you.
There is a Wide Range of Wages and Job Prospects.
Dancing jobs in the United States are expected to grow by 2% over the course of the next decade.
In private dance schools, the majority of employment opportunities are available. For a dancer, the average annual salary is $45,905 ($19.63 per hour).
How to Become a Professional Dancer
As a dancer, you must be passionate, determined, and persistent. Listed here are a few steps to help you transition from amateur to professional dancer:
1.Get a Lot of Training.
To be a professional dancer, you don’t need a degree or any other credentials, but you do need to train.
Beginning at the age of five, dancers begin training to become professional dancers and begin auditioning for long-term employment at 18.
Talent can be turned into a career with the help of training in muscle strength and technique. Performing arts schools and dance companies provide students with the necessary training to land a job in a professional dance company.
Ballet classes are a great place to start for people who are new to dance because they provide a solid foundation for building strength, muscle memory, and flexibility.
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2. Consider Pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree if you Haven’t Already.
If you want to be a professional dancer, you don’t need a degree, but a major in dance can expose you to a wide variety of dance styles.
You can also choose to focus on a single dance. The fine arts and theater departments at a number of colleges and universities offer dance majors. what it takes to be a dancer
a. Choreography teaches you how to express yourself through various dance techniques and styles.
b. As a student, you’ll learn about the backstage production processes that go into putting on a show. This can include everything from how to operate a sound board to how to design costumes to how to run a lighting board.
c. For those who are interested in the origins of dance and how it has been viewed by people across the globe, this course is for you.
d. Teaching: You learn how to improve your teaching abilities so that you can work with students of various ages and backgrounds.
e. Muscle coordination and body alignment are two of the most important concepts you’ll cover in class.
3. Amass expertise.
Moving to a city where the entertainment industry thrives can help you land a job as a professional dancer.
However, if you’re looking for a place to get involved in the arts, look into local dance groups. using the following methods:
a. The benefits of taking dance classes include improving one’s technique, staying physically fit, and gaining experience. The director or choreographer may already be familiar with your work or have worked with you in the past, which increases your chances of being hired during auditions.
b. It is common for professional choreographers and members of professional dance companies to lead workshops. Whoever is following instructions and making improvements is constantly monitored by choreographers. Attending workshops is a great way to network and learn new skills that may lead to performing opportunities in the future.
4. Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Maintaining good physical and mental health and stamina is essential for a successful professional dance career.
Eating whole, unprocessed foods is preferable to eating processed ones. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly will help you lose weight as well as keep your muscles strong. Injuries are decreased as a result of this.
5. Find a Talent Agent.
Dancing can be a difficult profession to break into, which is why most performers seek out the assistance of a talent agency during their search.
As a professional in the entertainment industry, a talent agent is dedicated to helping their clients find auditions, submit dance reels, and prepare their résumés and portfolios for consideration.
A professional dance career is easier to pursue with their assistance. You’ll need to spend some time doing your homework and finding a reputable agent.
Unions usually represent reputable agents. Talent agents’ laws vary from state to state, but you should never be asked to pay an agent.
When you book a job, they typically take a 10% deduction from your pay. An agent who is interested in representing you and who understands your goals must be found.
The next step is to seek advice from other dancers or choreographers. You can also check out the websites of dance agencies to learn more about the types of clients they represent. Before applying to your dream agency, make sure you have these three things ready:
a. When applying for college, you can ask your dance instructor to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf.
b. Your curriculum vitae should include information about your education and professional experience, such as the names of any projects you’ve worked on or the companies you’ve worked for. It is acceptable to list competitions, local productions, and musicals in which you have participated if you have not worked on a professional project.
c. The agency wants to see your dance moves, so put together a routine that exemplifies your unique sense of style and talent.
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6. Listen to the Music at the Auditions.
A dancer’s career revolves around auditions. You’ll have the opportunity to demonstrate your skills and talents to industry experts.
In either case, preparing ahead of time will help alleviate some of the anxiety that comes with auditioning. Things that can aid in the audition process include the following:
Analyze the audition application form: Many application forms include detailed instructions on the audition procedure. To ensure that you are adhering to the dress code and other rules, it is important to keep a list of all the requirements.
a. Research: You may already know the choreographer for whom you are performing. You can learn a lot about a person’s performance style by watching videos of other people who are in the same position as them.
b. In order to distinguish yourself from other dancers, you may have to perform a freestyle in front of the director or choreographer. To gain self-assurance in your freestyle, it’s important to practice it frequently.
c. In the case of commercial dancing, many auditions are conducted via videotape. Have a family member or friend videotape you while you practice your close-ups.
d. You should get at least eight hours of sleep before the audition to ensure that you have the energy and focus necessary for the performance.
e. Set your alarm to wake up early and leave your house early in the morning to make a good first impression.
f. Dress comfortably and appropriately for the dance style. Your clothing should allow you to move freely. The rules of the auditions also apply to the way you dress. The judges want to see your body, so make sure you wear something appropriate to show your shape. Wear a leotard and tights if you’re auditioning for a classical dance style like ballet, jazz, or modern. You may be required to wear a uniform for some auditions due to the more stringent requirements. Follow the rules at all times.
g. Be aware of the judge’s expressions and behavior: Keep an eye on the judges’ reactions to the other dancers. By paying attention to your peers’ facial expressions and body language during a competition, you can learn from them and improve your own dancing.
7. Create a Professional Resume
Some auditions may ask for a resume when you apply. The following details should be included in your dance resume:
a. An individual’s dance abilities and experience can be demonstrated through a dance reel. It usually lasts less than a minute. Regardless of the production or project for which you are applying, you must have a dance reel.
b. Proper headshots are essential for choreographers, agents, and casting directors to have in their files. Additionally, headshots make it much easier for choreographers and directors to choose which dancers are a good fit for their company or production. Make sure your headshots are up-to-date and crystal-clear!
c. Simple to read, precise, and succinct: These are the hallmarks of a strong resume. Your full name, phone number, e-mail address, union status, and dance experience should all be included in your application.
Finally
Dancers who want to be professional dancers must have a lot of passion, determination, and dedication.
To have a successful career, you must put in the time and effort to develop your skills. A professional dancer must have a strong work ethic.
How to become a professional dancer is explained in this article, along with the skills needed to succeed, the salary, and the job outlook for dancers.