Choreographers

Career summary

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# 3/25/19 lh

Choreographers create new dances and new versions of traditional dances. These dance routines may be for:

• Ballets
• Musicals
• Other productions

Depending on the production, choreographers may research the story line. They gather information to help them decide which style of dance or movement to use. They may talk to other choreographers or watch videotapes of dancers to gather information. Since few dance routines are written down, their research options may be limited. Choreographers experiment with dance moves that suggest stories or convey emotions. They revise the dance routines until they are satisfied with a final version.

Choreographers also hold auditions for dancers. They select the dancers for specific roles in the routine. A rehearsal is where the dancers practice the routine. At rehearsals, they coach dancers on how to improve their performance. They also refine routines as they see them being performed.

Dancing routines require rehearsal. Choreographers work very closely with dancers, teaching them how to position themselves and to perform without injuring themselves. They often experiment with different moves and steps, using different dancers.

Choreographers are usually dancers themselves. They take dance classes and exercise regularly to stay fit and to maintain their skills. Many choreographers teach dance and may manage their own dance companies.

Related careers

This career is part of the Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Actors
• Coaches and Scouts
• Dancers
• Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors
• Music Composers, Directors, and Arrangers
• Musicians
• Producers and Directors
• Singers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to choreographers.

• Create dance routines for individuals, dance companies, films, fashion shows, musicals, operas, and other events.
• Research story line to guide the creation of dance movements.
• Choose dance moves that suggest story or convey emotion.
• Audition performers for one or more dance parts.
• Design sets, lighting, and costumes for dance routines.
• Choose the music or sound effects to accompany a dance and coordinate with music directors.
• Teach correct dance technique to avoid injuries.
• Coach dancers at rehearsals.
• Experiment with different steps, techniques, and dancers.
• May work with both beginners and professionals.
• Seek influence from existing dances and theater productions.
• Train, exercise, and attend dance classes to maintain ability, fitness, and expertise.

Common work activities

Choreographers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Think creatively
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Coach others
• Schedule work and activities
• Develop and build teams
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Teach others
• Get information needed to do the job
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Document and record information
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Perform for or work with the public
• Develop goals and strategies
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Monitor and control resources
• Handle and move objects
• Recruit, interview, or hire others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, choreographers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social interaction. They spend much of their workday working with dancers.
• Talk with others primarily on the telephone or in-person. They also use e-mail to communicate with others.
• Occasionally speak in front of groups, such as an entire dance team.
• Nearly always work as part of a team of dancers.
• Are responsible for the performance of the dancers.
• Are responsible for the safety and health of dancers.
• May on occasion be placed in conflict situations in which dancers may disagree over how best to perform the work.

Physical work conditions

• Usually work indoors, but may work outdoors for special events.
• Come in close physical contact with dancers, such as when showing them how to position themselves or perform a specific move.

Work performance

• Must fully complete and be exact in their work to create professional performances.
• Repeat the same physical and mental activities.
• Sometimes consult with their dancers before making decisions or setting tasks and goals.
• Often make decisions that strongly impact coworkers and their company.
• Work in a very competitive and stressful environment. Strict deadlines must be met, such as preparing for a large performance.

Hours/travel

• May have periods without employment.
• May work nights and weekends, when most performances are held.
• May travel with dance groups.

Physical demands

Choreographers frequently:

• Stand for long periods of time.
• Bend or twist their body.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Keep or regain their balance.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.
• Kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.

It is important for choreographers to be able to:

• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for choreographers to be able to:

• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use muscles to jump, sprint, or throw objects.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.

Skills and abilities

Choreographers need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.

Work with people

• Teach others how to do something.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Dance

Other programs of study to consider

• Dramatic Arts
• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

Training

To work as a choreographer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have more than five years of experience as a dancer; and
• complete long-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Some dancers learn to dance in school. You can take dance courses at colleges and universities and private dance schools. Choreography classes are a part of most college dance programs.

Work experience

This is not an entry-level occupation. Choreographers must have many years of experience as a dancer. Being a successful dancer leads to chances to choreograph productions or parts of productions.

On-the-job training

Those with proven talent, learn by working with a professional dance teacher. Some may work as an assistant to an experienced choreographer. Training can last several years.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements . You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Chorus
• Dance
• Drama
• Food and Nutrition
• Physical Education

Many choreographers are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers require choreographers to have years of dance experience. Employers often hire choreographers based on their reputation or dance skills. Employers also look for choreographers who are able to motivate dancers.

Costs to workers

Workers who join a professional association may have to pay annual dues.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Choreographers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages for choreographers vary widely. A Broadway production generally pays more than a production for a small theater. Larger productions also take longer to rehearse, which increases wages. Choreographers can earn about $3,000 a week for a motion picture job. They can earn $10,000 for two weeks of work for a television program. However, the number of large productions is limited. Thus, most choreographers work for small dance companies and earn lower wages.

Benefits vary by employer. Choreographers who work full time for large dance companies may receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Self-employed choreographers must provide their own insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 30% of choreographers are self-employed. Many jobs for choreographers are in larger cities. New York City is the main center of dance in the United States. However, many other cities are major dance centers.

Major employers:

• Dance and theater companies
• Dance studios and schools

National outlook

Growth for choreographers is expected to decline because this is a very small occupation and very few new jobs will be created. The choreography field is highly competitive. There will always be more job seekers than job openings. Only the most talented choreographers will find jobs.

Other resources

American Dance Guild 
320 West 83rd Street, #7D
New York, NY 10024-4809
212.932.2789

American Guild of Musical Artists 
1430 Broadway, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10018
212.265.3687

Artist Trust 
1835 - 12th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122
866.218.7878
206.467.8734

Dance/USA 
1029 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
202.833.1717

National Endowment for the Arts 
400 - 7th Street SW
Washington, DC 20506
202.682.5400

US Small Business Administration 
Seattle District Office
2401 Fourth Avenue, Suite 450
Seattle, WA 98121
206.553.7310

References

Career cluster

• Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications

Career path

• Artistic

O*Net  occupation

• Choreographers (27-2032.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupation

• Choreographer (151.027-010) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Artistic/Social/Enterprising

COPSystem

• Arts Professional