Choreographer

Choreographer job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Dance choreographers use their creativity and understanding of movement to create routines and then work with performers to perfect a finished performance, be that within an opera, stage show, television show, film or music video. Typical responsibilities include:

• producing choreography for all kinds of dance including ballet, jazz, tap, modern, ballroom and ethnic
• planning each movement of the dancers
• ensuring that dancers are fully rehearsed
• using dance notation to record movements
• helping to select dancers for specific roles
• discussing requirements with costume designers, artistic directors and producers
• teaching steps to the performers
• attending rehearsals
• teaching dance techniques
• organising and participating in community workshops
• liaising with theatres and arts or dance organisations
• helping to promote performances
• attending auditions, publicity sessions, presentations and meetings.

The majority of choreographers work on a freelance basis. Salaried vacancies that do occur with dance companies, pop groups, film producers and theatrical productions are advertised by dance agencies, in newspapers and websites and in specialist publications including The Stage, Dancing Times and Dance Europe. Dance UK maintains a directory of freelance choreographers.

Choreography is a highly competitive field of employment - advertised vacancies attract large numbers of applications, so it is essential to network and approach employers speculatively.

Qualifications and training required

It is possible to qualify by studying for a degree in choreography at university or a vocational dance school. However, most choreographers enter the profession following a career, or whilst working as, a dancer. A few postgraduate courses are also available for experienced dancers. Entry onto courses is normally dependent on passing a dance audition. The Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET) provides information about accredited courses at all levels. The ability to demonstrate a genuine interest in, knowledge of and/or experience of dance performance is essential, and generally more important than academic qualifications.

Key skills for choreographers

Choreographers need to be patient, resilient, creative and imaginative by nature with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. It is essential to be able to maintain concentration for long periods of time, to memorise and recall complicated roles and sequences of movements, and to be capable of forming good working relationships with others.