How to Be Dance Company Director - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

May 3, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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A Dance Company Director is a person who is responsible for the overall vision, operation and management of a professional dance company. They are responsible for setting the artistic goals of the company, overseeing the production of shows, creating budgets, and managing staff and resources. A Dance Company Director must have a deep understanding of the art form, as well as its history and culture.

They must also have excellent organizational and communication skills, as well as the ability to motivate personnel. The success of a Dance Company Director is dependent on their ability to effectively collaborate with other team members, such as choreographers, dancers, and musicians, in order to create a creative and successful production. In addition to this, a Dance Company Director must also have an eye for detail in order to ensure that all aspects of the artistic production come together to create a cohesive and memorable experience for the audience.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Degree. To become a dance company director, you should plan to obtain a degree in dance, business, theatre, or another related field. Consider pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance from an accredited program. This type of degree will give you the skills and knowledge necessary to understand how to manage a dance company.
Take Dance Classes. To become a successful dance company director, you must have an in-depth understanding of the field. Consider taking classes in different styles of dance, such as ballet, modern, jazz, and hip-hop.
Shadow Experienced Directors. Consider shadowing experienced directors or observing their rehearsals. This will give you an insight into the job and allow you to ask questions and gain experience.
Build a Network. Build relationships with other directors, choreographers, dancers, and other professionals within the industry. This will help you build your network and increase your chances of landing a job as a director.
Gain Professional Experience. Consider taking on internships or part-time jobs with established dance companies. This will give you the opportunity to gain professional experience and make connections within the industry.
Start Your Own Company. Consider starting your own dance company. This will require a great deal of planning, organization, and marketing. However, it can be a great way to showcase your skills and gain experience as a director.

Being a successful Dance Company Director requires a combination of hard work, dedication, and skill. The ability to effectively lead and manage a team of dancers is essential, as is the knowledge of different styles of dance, techniques, and choreography. Having a good understanding of the industry and being able to network with other professionals is also necessary.

Working hard and dedicating yourself to the craft of dance are key components in honing your skills as a Director. having a keen eye for detail and being creative are important traits that can make you stand out from the crowd. All these elements, when combined, can lead to success as a Dance Company Director.

You may want to check Dance Team Coach, Dance Studio Instructor, and Dance Company Touring Video Technician for alternative.

Job Description

Oversee the daily operations of a dance company, including administrative tasks, hiring staff, and managing budgets.
Create and implement artistic vision and goals for the company.
Develop and monitor marketing strategies to promote the companys performances.
Source and coordinate performance venues, including negotiating contracts and fees.
Research new choreographers, dancers, and other talent for the company.
Recruit, audition, and hire dancers for performances.
Manage rehearsal schedules and provide artistic direction to dancers and choreographers.
Travel to attend conferences, workshops, and other events related to the dance industry.
Collaborate with other directors and professionals in the dance industry to create innovative productions.
Monitor the financial performance of the company and adjust budgets as needed.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Leadership: Demonstrated experience in leading a professional dance company, including managing budgets, personnel, and production schedules.
Artistic Vision: Ability to create and communicate a creative vision for the companys repertoire and performances.
Collaboration: Ability to collaborate with choreographers, dancers, and other artists to produce high-quality performances.
Technical Knowledge: Knowledge of dance technique, production, and stagecraft.
Teaching: Experience in teaching and coaching dancers in various dance styles and techniques.
Communication: Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively manage staff and engage the public.
Business Acumen: Understanding of the business of running a dance company, including marketing, fundraising, and audience development.
Budgeting: Knowledge of budgeting and financial management, including creating and managing budgets.
Networking: Ability to cultivate relationships with key stakeholders in the professional dance community, including funders, venues, and other arts organizations.
Public Relations: Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with the media and other external audiences.

Being a successful dance company director requires a variety of skills to ensure that the company is successful. One of the most important skills is having a good understanding of business principles and the ability to effectively manage finances. This includes having knowledge of financial planning, budgeting, bookkeeping and accounting.

having strong organizational skills is key for managing multiple projects, overseeing rehearsals and productions, and dealing with administrative tasks. Communication skills are also essential for effectively collaborating with dancers, choreographers, and other stakeholders. Finally, creativity and passion for the art form are essential for creating unique and captivating performances that audiences will enjoy.

All of these skills combined help ensure that a dance company is successful and continues to thrive.

Dance Company Technical Director, Dance Company Production Manager, and Dance Company Business Manager are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with dance company directing?
How would you handle a situation where a dancer is struggling to learn a new routine?
What strategies have you employed to ensure that all dancers are performing at the highest caliber?
How do you maintain a positive and professional working environment?
How do you handle creative differences between yourself and dancers?
How do you manage competing demands and deadlines?
How do you promote a safe and healthy environment for your dancers?
What is your experience with budgeting, fundraising, and grant writing?
How do you keep up with trends in the dance industry?
How do you prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities?

Common Tools in Industry

Scheduling Software. Used to create and maintain a schedule of rehearsals, performances and other activities. (Eg: Google Calendar)
Budgeting Software. Used to track and manage the companys financials. (Eg: QuickBooks)
Social Media Management Software. Used to manage the companys social media accounts. (Eg: Hootsuite)
Website Development Software. Used to design and maintain the companys website. (Eg: WordPress)
Video Editing Software. Used to edit promotional videos and other multimedia content. (Eg: Adobe Premiere Pro)
Music Creation Software. Used to create original music for performances. (Eg: GarageBand)
Audition Management Software. Used to manage audition submissions, provide feedback, and contact applicants. (Eg: Artful. ly)
Contract Management Software. Used to organize and manage dancer contracts. (Eg: Shake)
Casting Software. Used to manage the casting process for shows and auditions. (Eg: Castifi)
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software. Used to manage customer relationships, track inquiries and bookings, and send follow-up emails. (Eg: Salesforce)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Dance Guild
Dance USA
Dance/USA Institute
National Association for Regional Ballet
International Association of Blacks in Dance
National Dance Education Organization
National Endowment for the Arts
Dance/NYC
International Dance Council
Congress on Research in Dance

We also have Dance Performance Artist, Dance Company Tour Booking Coordinator, and Dance Company Touring Merchandiser jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Choreographer. A person who creates the sequence of steps and movements that make up a dance.
Rehearsal. A period of practice before a performance in which performers work on their technique, timing, and overall performance.
Musicality. The ability to hear and understand music, movement, and timing.
Costume Design. The creation and selection of clothing, fabrics, and accessories for dancers.
Production Manager. The person responsible for managing the logistics of a production, such as scheduling, budgeting, and crew.
Public Relations. The practice of creating and maintaining relationships with audiences and potential sponsors.
Stage Management. The coordination of activities related to the production, such as set design, lighting, props, and sound.
Fundraising. The practice of raising money for projects or productions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many years of experience does a Dance Company Director typically have?

A Dance Company Director typically has at least 5-10 years of experience in the dance field.

What are the responsibilities of a Dance Company Director?

The responsibilities of a Dance Company Director include creating and overseeing the production of dance performances, managing budgets and personnel, and promoting and marketing the company.

What qualifications do Dance Company Directors need?

Dance Company Directors typically need a Bachelors degree in dance or a related field, such as theatre or music, as well as professional experience in the field.

What skills are needed for a Dance Company Director?

Dance Company Directors need excellent communication, organizational, managerial, and marketing skills.

What are the benefits of being a Dance Company Director?

Being a Dance Company Director offers the opportunity to work with talented artists, to create meaningful and inspiring performances, and to bring joy to audiences.