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

Sep 22, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The Dance Company Manager plays a critical role in ensuring that all aspects of the dance company run smoothly and efficiently. Without the Dance Company Manager, the company would not be able to function as it should. The Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations, including budgeting, scheduling, staffing and marketing.

They must be organized, have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be able to juggle multiple tasks. The Dance Company Manager must also have a comprehensive knowledge of the industry, understand the needs of the dancers and be able to collaborate with choreographers, costume designers and other key personnel. When a Dance Company Manager has all of these skills, the company is more likely to succeed, resulting in increased ticket sales, higher visibility and better financial stability.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. In order to become a dance company manager, you must have at least a Bachelor's degree in dance, business, or a related field.
Get Professional Experience. Most dance companies prefer to hire managers who have some professional experience in the field. Consider interning or volunteering with a local dance company to gain the necessary experience.
Develop Excellent Communication Skills. As a dance company manager, you need to have excellent verbal and written communication skills. You will be responsible for communicating with dancers, choreographers, and other staff members on a regular basis.
Develop Strong Leadership Skills. It is important that you are able to lead a team of dancers and other staff members. You should have strong leadership skills and be able to motivate and inspire your team.
Network. As with any job, networking is key. Make sure to attend industry events, conferences, and seminars to build relationships with other professionals in the field.
Keep Up With Industry Trends. As a dance company manager, you need to be aware of the latest trends in the industry. Follow industry news and trends in order to stay up-to-date.
Be Knowledgeable About Finances. It is important that you are knowledgeable about finances, as you will be responsible for managing the companys budget.
Develop Organizational Skills. As a dance company manager, you need to have strong organizational skills in order to keep track of the many tasks that need to be completed.

As a Dance Company Manager, it is essential to stay up to date with the latest industry trends and maintain a high standard of qualifications. This can be achieved by attending professional development courses, networking with other dance professionals, and keeping up with the latest industry news. Doing so will ensure that you are equipped with the most current knowledge, skills, and resources needed to successfully manage the company.

Furthermore, it is important to stay connected with current and prospective clients and to make sure that the companys services are meeting their needs and providing them with value. Finally, staying updated on the latest technology and tools used in the dance industry can help you to remain competitive and give your clients the best possible experience. By staying informed and maintaining qualifications, a Dance Company Manager can ensure that their business will remain successful and continue to grow.

You may want to check Dance Competition Judge, Burlesque Dancer, and Modern Dancer for alternative.

Job Description

Plan and execute rehearsals, performances, and tour schedules
Manage team of dancers, choreographers, and other creative staff
Oversee budgeting and financial aspects of the company
Secure performance venues and negotiate contracts
Develop marketing and promotional strategies
Represent the company to sponsors and other stakeholders
Maintain relationships with press, radio, television, and other media outlets
Manage the companys online presence and digital content
Monitor the performance of the companys website, social media accounts, and other digital marketing efforts
Coordinate with vendors for services such as costume design, sound design, and publicity
Recruit new dancers and talent
Negotiate collective bargaining agreements with dancers/dance professionals
Provide guidance and mentorship to dancers and other staff

Skills and Competencies to Have

Financial Management: Ability to develop and manage a budget, track expenses, and understand financial reports.
Scheduling: Ability to create and manage a schedule for rehearsals and performances.
Negotiation: Ability to negotiate contracts with venues, vendors, and other stakeholders.
Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively engage with dancers, staff, and community members.
Leadership: Ability to lead and motivate dancers and staff to reach collective goals.
Administration: Ability to handle administrative tasks such as payroll, HR management, and record keeping.
Fundraising: Ability to create and manage fundraising initiatives.
Public Relations: Ability to promote the dance company and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders.
Strategic Planning: Ability to create short- and long-term plans for the dance company.
Performance Evaluation: Ability to measure performance of dancers and staff and make adjustments when necessary.

Good Dance Company Managers possess many skills to ensure the success of the company. The most important skill is the ability to think strategically and to create long-term plans for the company. This means having a vision of the company's goals and how to achieve them, as well as being able to see potential opportunities and threats in the market.

strong organizational and communication skills are essential, as managers must be able to coordinate with the dancers and staff, handle bookings and contracts, and manage finances. Good Dance Company Managers also need to have a strong understanding of marketing and branding, as they will be responsible for promoting the company and its services. Finally, an understanding of the legal framework that governs the activities of the company is crucial for any manager who is involved in the business side of the dance industry.

With all of these skills, Dance Company Managers can provide the leadership and guidance needed to ensure a successful future for their company.

Professional Dancer, Tap Dancer, and Dance Videographer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How do you ensure that a dance company meets its artistic and financial goals?
What strategies have you implemented in the past to ensure successful recruitment and retention of dancers?
How do you handle conflict between dancers or choreographers?
Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision related to the companys operations.
How do you maintain relationships with sponsors and donors?
How would you collaborate with other departments, such as marketing, fundraising, and production, to ensure the success of a production?
How do you manage a tight budget while still providing quality training and programming?
What strategies do you use to stay organized and prioritize tasks?
Describe a time when you successfully handled a crisis situation related to the company.
How do you ensure that safety protocols and risk management policies are followed?

Common Tools in Industry

Project Management Software. This software helps to manage the workflow of a project, including scheduling tasks, assigning resources, tracking progress, and more. (eg: Asana)
Calendar Software. This software allows for the scheduling of appointments, events, and other engagements. It also allows for the organization of tasks with specific deadlines. (eg: Google Calendar)
Financial Management Software. This software helps to manage financial transactions, budgeting, payroll processing, and other related financial tasks. (eg: QuickBooks)
Email Marketing Software. This software helps to create and send targeted emails to a specific audience. It can also track and analyze email campaigns to measure performance. (eg: MailChimp)
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software. This software helps to manage customer relationships by tracking customer data and interactions. It can also be used to automate customer service tasks. (eg: Salesforce)
Audience Engagement Software. This software helps to build an audience by creating content and engaging with potential customers online. It also allows for the measurement of engagement levels. (eg: Hootsuite)

Professional Organizations to Know

Dance/USA - the national service organization for professional dance
International Association of Blacks in Dance - a nonprofit organization that promotes the preservation, presentation and perpetuation of African American dance
Dance/NYC - a resource center for dance artists and organizations in New York City
Dance/USA Education & Advocacy Initiative - a program dedicated to developing the field of dance through education and advocacy
National Association of Schools of Dance - a professional organization that accredits postsecondary educational institutions offering degree programs in dance
League of American Orchestras - a national service organization for orchestras and other classical music organizations
American Guild of Musical Artists - a labor union representing professional performers, conductors, and music directors
International Dance Council - an international network of organizations, individuals, and institutions engaged in the promotion of dance around the world
International Foundation for Dance Research - a nonprofit organization promoting research and scholarship in the field of dance
National Dance Education Organization - a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting quality dance education in the United States

We also have Street Dancer, Dance Troupe Leader, and Ballroom Dancer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Rehearsal. A practice session for dancers and musicians to learn and perfect a performance.
Performance. The presentation of a dance or music piece to an audience.
Touring. The practice of taking a dance company on the road to perform in different cities and venues.
Budget. A financial plan for a given project or organization detailing income, expenses, and other financial objectives.
Sponsorship. Financial or material support for an event, project, or organization from a third party.
Contract Negotiation. The process of negotiating agreements between parties.
Marketing. The practice of promoting a product or service to create interest and attract customers.
Audience Development. Building relationships with audiences and encouraging their engagement with a performance or organization.
Fundraising. The practice of soliciting donations to support a cause or organization.
Human Resources. The practice of managing personnel within an organization, including recruitment, training, and management of staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dance Company Manager?

Dance Company Manager is a software solution designed to help dance studios manage their business, including student enrollment, class scheduling, billing and payroll.

What features does Dance Company Manager offer?

Dance Company Manager offers a variety of features to help streamline the day-to-day operations of a dance studio, including student registration, class scheduling, billing, payroll processing, customer relationship management, staff management and reporting tools.

How much does Dance Company Manager cost?

The cost of Dance Company Manager varies depending on the number of users and other factors. For more information about pricing, please contact a sales representative.