From a young age, the rhythm of dance was undeniably woven into the fabric of my life. It wasn’t a question of if dance would be a part of my journey, but how. While my early dance teachers nurtured my passion, the path to a performance career felt uncertain. The dream of becoming a professional dancer seemed almost too whimsical, a childhood fantasy. Instead, a “stable” and “secure” vision took root: opening my own dance studio after college. The allure of teaching, choreography, and the intricate workings of a dance business – from recital planning to costume selection to class scheduling – captivated me. The idea of being in charge, of building something lasting, was incredibly appealing. Furthermore, the desire for stability, for a life beyond the precariousness often associated with performance, heavily influenced this decision. I didn’t want to constantly worry about making ends meet.
However, life has a funny way of unfolding. Looking back over the past decade, I find myself incredibly fortunate to have carved out a career as a professional dancer, master teacher, choreographer, and adjudicator. It feels like a blink, and suddenly ten years have passed while I’ve traveled across countries, continents, and even oceans, all while doing what I truly love.
Despite this fulfilling journey, there are invaluable lessons I’ve gathered along the way, insights I wish I possessed when first setting foot on the path of a dance career and moving to New York City – a global epicenter for dance and performance opportunities. Navigating the world of Dance Jobs is an art in itself, and I’m here to share some crucial advice that can illuminate your way.
Key Strategies for Securing Dance Jobs
Embrace Every Opportunity: Say “Yes”
When you’re starting your quest for dance jobs, adopt a mindset of saying “YES” to every opportunity that comes your way. This includes pre-production work with choreographers you admire, roles in TV/Film projects, independent short films, dance videos, music videos, cabarets, and concerts. Even if the initial pay isn’t substantial, these experiences are invaluable stepping stones. They provide fertile ground for growth, allowing you to learn the nuances of the industry, maintain peak performance and rehearsal readiness, and, crucially, NETWORK. Networking is an indispensable element of a professional dancer’s life. You never know which connections forged early in your career will blossom into future collaborations or opportunities when individuals move into different roles “on the other side of the table.”
Build Lasting Connections: Don’t Burn Bridges
The journey through dance jobs will lead you to collaborate with a multitude of individuals. It is paramount to always present your best self and cultivate a positive impression. Your professionalism, work ethic, and skills are your calling cards. You never know when a reference check might be conducted, and a strong reputation is invaluable. Personal experience has taught me that individuals who enjoy working with you are likely to hire you again and again. Therefore, nurturing and maintaining these professional relationships is essential for long-term success in securing consistent dance jobs.
Increase Your Visibility: Get Your Face Out There
Expanding on the importance of saying “yes,” when you first arrive in a major dance hub like the Big Apple, make it a point to attend every audition for which you believe you might be a suitable fit. This advice stems from direct experience and offers several key benefits for dancers seeking dance jobs:
-
Auditioning is a Skill: The more you audition, the more comfortable and proficient you become. Think of auditioning as a muscle that needs regular exercise to improve flexibility and strength. Consistent auditioning desensitizes you to nerves, sharpens your ability to quickly learn choreography, and boosts your confidence in delivering your vocal performance. By reducing the perceived pressure of each audition, you create space to perform at your best.
-
Recognition and Growth: Casting directors and choreographers begin to recognize you as you consistently attend auditions. I have personally booked dance jobs because casting directors witnessed my growth and improvement over time. Showing up, putting in the work, demonstrates a strong work ethic, determination, and drive – qualities highly sought after in performers.
-
Free Dance Class: Auditions often serve as invaluable, and free, dance classes. While classes at renowned studios like Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway are incredibly beneficial, the cost can be prohibitive. Auditions provide a free opportunity to hone your skills and learn new choreography in a professional setting, which is crucial for dancers pursuing dance jobs in competitive markets.
Audition Like a Pro: Class vs. Audition Mindset
Adopt a dual mindset: treat every class like an audition, and every audition like a class. This approach fosters continuous growth as a performer and dancer. Treating classes with audition-level focus pushes you to consistently perform at your peak, refine your technique, and absorb corrections quickly. Conversely, approaching auditions with a “class” mentality reduces pressure and allows you to focus on learning, showcasing your skills, and enjoying the process. This strategy not only enhances your performance in auditions for dance jobs but also saves you money on classes, a significant advantage when navigating the high cost of living in cities like NYC.
Turn Rejection into Opportunity: No’s Lead to Yes’s
Rejection is an inherent part of the dance industry and the pursuit of dance jobs. The crucial element is PERSISTENCE. Learn from each “no,” analyze the experience, and strive not to take it personally. Often, rejection is not a reflection of your talent or ability. Use each “no” as fuel to propel you towards an eventual “yes.” It’s common to face numerous rejections before landing a job. Keep showing up, keep working hard, and continue putting yourself in front of casting directors and choreographers. Your persistence will eventually lead to success in securing dance jobs.
Market Yourself Effectively: Self-Promotion, Branding, Reels
In the competitive landscape of dance jobs, self-promotion and branding are vital. Develop your personal “brand” and curate your online presence to reflect your professional identity. Cultivate a consistent “look” and integrate it across social media platforms, particularly Instagram, a visual platform ideal for dancers. Build a professional website using user-friendly platforms like Wix or Squarespace. This website should serve as a central hub where casting directors and potential employers can easily access your essential materials: resume, headshot, and, most importantly, your dance reel. A compelling dance reel is indispensable. You can create one yourself using software like iMovie or Final Cut Pro, or hire a professional editor. A well-crafted reel, typically two to three minutes in length, effectively showcases your essence and skills. It’s a powerful tool for online submissions and can even secure dance jobs without in-person auditions. Sometimes, casting decisions for auditions are even made based on initial dance reel submissions.
Invest in Continuous Growth: Keep Training
Continuous training is non-negotiable for a thriving career in dance jobs. Dance classes, voice lessons, and acting classes are all essential for honing your craft and expanding your versatility, especially in a city like NYC with its robust theatre scene. Many dancers express regret for not investing more in vocal and acting training earlier in their careers. Develop a repertoire of at least one or two 16-bar song cuts that showcase your vocal strengths, and continually expand your book with diverse musical styles to suit various audition requirements. Studios like Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, and Peridance offer a wide array of drop-in dance classes. Explore more budget-friendly options like Broadway Donation and Think Tank. For voice teachers, leverage your network in NYC or monitor postings on Playbill.com. Audition workshops, while often pricier, can be valuable for gaining exposure to casting directors and specific choreographers through platforms like The Growing Studio, Open Jar Studios, Save My Audition, and Actor’s Connection.
Find Your Audition Resources: Where to Look for Dance Jobs
Knowing where to find dance jobs and auditions is crucial. Answers4Dancers is a highly recommended subscription-based website, particularly for dancers starting their professional journey. It provides weekly audition blasts, a consistently updated and user-friendly audition calendar, and a wealth of resources on creating dance reels, connecting with agents, and general career advice. Free resources like Playbill (playbill.com/jobs), Backstage (subscription-based), and Broadway World (broadwayworld.com) are also excellent platforms for finding auditions. Actors Access is another valuable free resource for self-submissions for specific projects, extra work in TV/Film, music videos, workshops, and side gigs related to performance.
Agent Assistance: When and Why
While not strictly mandatory, having an agent can significantly benefit your pursuit of dance jobs. Agents can secure audition appointments and gain you access to auditions that might otherwise be inaccessible. Networking and consistent self-submission are key to attracting agent representation. Research agencies that align with your career goals, submit your materials, and seek out agencies with whom you feel a strong connection. Referrals from friends or inviting agents to see you perform in a show can also be effective ways to secure representation.
Trust the Process: Timing is Key
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, it simply isn’t your time to land a particular dance job. While the reasons may remain unclear, it’s essential to trust the timing. Continue putting in the work and putting yourself out there; the right opportunity will arise when the time is right for you. This can be frustrating to hear, but it holds true. You might deliver an exceptional audition, but casting decisions can come down to factors beyond your control, such as height or hair color to fit pre-existing costumes or wigs. Remember that rejection often has little to do with your talent or ability.
Know Your Niche: Embrace Your Type
While typecasting is becoming less rigid, understanding and embracing your “type” remains important for marketing yourself effectively in the dance jobs market. Focus on auditioning for roles that align with your natural strengths and style. My “ethnically ambiguous” look has allowed me to portray diverse ethnicities, but sometimes, it has also meant not being right for certain roles, and that’s perfectly acceptable. Success often comes when you embrace your inherent qualities and target auditions for shows and roles where you clearly “fit in.” Consider not only your ethnicity but also your overall vibe and skills. Are you edgy or more classical? More balletic or rhythm-focused? Align your audition choices with your authentic self and the roles you can genuinely envision yourself embodying.
Master Storytelling: Stand Out in Auditions
In the pursuit of dance jobs, it’s easy to become fixated on technicalities: steps, technique, audition attire, resume, or the competition in the room. However, what truly distinguishes you is your ability to tell a story through movement. Classes and auditions are prime opportunities to cultivate your storytelling skills. This is what captivates choreographers and directors. Don’t wait for perfect technique before focusing on storytelling; integrate it from the outset. Make storytelling an organic element of your movement and performance, not an afterthought.
Build a Support Network: You’re Not Alone
Navigating the world of dance jobs is an emotional rollercoaster. A strong support system is crucial. Surround yourself with family, friends (both within and outside the dance industry), and fellow auditioning dancers who understand the challenges and can offer encouragement, a shoulder to cry on, or practical support. The dance career path is filled with highs and lows, unexpected turns, and intense pressure. You need people who believe in you and will support your dreams through thick and thin. Fellow auditioners can become invaluable allies, offering support in holding rooms, sharing resources, and lending a helping hand, even to competitors. Foster a spirit of camaraderie and helpfulness; positivity and kindness often circle back in unexpected ways.
Maintain Balance: Find Your Safe Space
Amidst the relentless hustle for dance jobs, it’s vital to create a “safe space” and carve out time for activities that bring you joy and replenishment outside of auditions and work. Engage in creative pursuits, choreograph, attend shows for inspiration, explore free museums, or simply walk through a park with friends. Prioritize activities that disconnect you from the pressures of the industry. This balance is essential for long-term well-being and career sustainability. Take moments to slow down, re-evaluate your journey, and ensure you’re still aligned with your goals. These moments of reflection might even reveal the need to adjust your path or explore alternative routes to your aspirations within the realm of dance jobs.
Monetize Your Passion: Enjoy Your Side Hustle
To make ends meet while pursuing dance jobs, you’ll likely need side hustles. While babysitting, catering, or restaurant work are valid options, strive to find side work that not only pays the bills but also brings you fulfillment and perhaps even aligns with your dance background. Teaching dance at studios, fitness centers, or after-school programs, or even offering event photography/videography services, can be both financially rewarding and personally satisfying, keeping you connected to your passion while supporting your artistic pursuits in dance jobs.
Essential Tips for Dance Job Success: Be Prepared and Proactive
- Be Prepared: Always carry your dance shoes, audition songbook, headshots and resumes (8×10, cut and stapled), audition attire, and potentially a change of clothes for singing callbacks. Also, pack essentials like a stapler, scissors, phone charger, and protein bar/snack.
- Research: Thoroughly research the choreographer, director, and the show you’re auditioning for. Understand the movement style (ballet, tap, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary) and utilize resources like YouTube and Google to learn about the show beforehand. Preparation enhances your confidence and performance.
- Get Enough Sleep: Prioritize sleep to maintain physical and mental sharpness, especially during demanding audition periods.
- Roommates: Choose roommates whose lifestyles and schedules are compatible with yours to create a supportive and harmonious living environment.
- Travel Light Initially: When moving to a new city, avoid bringing excessive belongings, as you might be moving between sublets frequently in the initial years, especially if you book touring dance jobs.
- Audition Wear: Stay informed about current audition clothing trends but ultimately wear attire that makes you feel confident, comfortable, flattering, and appropriate for the specific dance job you are pursuing. Always bring all your dance shoes (heels, flats, taps, sneakers).
- Rent Budget: Arrive in a new city with at least three months’ rent saved to provide a financial buffer while you secure side income to cover living expenses, dance classes, and professional development costs.
- Headshots/Dance Shots: Invest in high-quality headshots that capture your personality and essence. Research photographers through online platforms like Instagram and recommendations from fellow dancers. Dance shots are valuable for social media, website content, and online submissions for dance jobs.
- Resume: Maintain a clean, organized resume, always cut to 8×10 and stapled to your headshot. Seek feedback from mentors or industry professionals to ensure it is polished and effective.
- Network: Actively build and utilize your network. Ask insightful questions and seek guidance from experienced professionals in the dance field.
- Patience: Understand that securing dance jobs takes time and persistence. Your opportunity will come if you remain dedicated and continue to work diligently.
- It is Hard, But Worth It: A career in dance is demanding, but the rewards of pursuing your passion are immeasurable.
- You’re Not In This Alone: Remember that you are part of a larger community of dancers. Lean on your support network and offer support to others on their dance job journeys.
Conclusion: Your Dance Career Awaits
The path to securing your dream dance job is paved with dedication, perseverance, and a strategic approach. Embrace every opportunity, build meaningful connections, continuously refine your skills, and never underestimate the power of self-belief. The world of dance is competitive, but with the right mindset, preparation, and unwavering passion, your time to shine on stage, in film, or in any facet of the dance industry is within reach. Keep dancing, keep striving, and let your passion guide you to the dance jobs that await your talent and artistry.
