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

May 28, 2023 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Being a Dance Company Touring Artist can be a very rewarding experience for those who have a passion for performing, as it allows them to travel and experience new cultures, while also sharing their artistry with audiences around the world. However, it is important to note that touring can be a challenging undertaking, as it involves a lot of hard work, long hours, and a willingness to adapt to unfamiliar surroundings. Touring artists must be prepared to live out of a suitcase, as they often move from city to city, as well as deal with the stress of being away from home and loved ones.

they must be able to withstand the physical and mental fatigue that comes with performing multiple shows each week and dealing with jet lag. Despite the challenges, many dancers choose to become a Dance Company Touring Artist due to the excitement of performing in a variety of places and the sense of pride they feel in representing their home dance company.

Steps How to Become

Take dance classes to develop your skills. You can take classes in a variety of genres such as ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop, and more.
Consider joining a professional dance company. This will give you the opportunity to hone your craft and perform with professional dancers.
Network and make connections with other dancers and choreographers. This will give you insight into the world of professional dance and help you get noticed by bigger companies.
Invest in yourself and create an online portfolio showcasing your work. This could include videos of your performances, photos from photoshoots, and any other materials that demonstrate your talent.
Join a professional dance union such as Dance USA or the Actors' Equity Association. This will give you access to industry professionals who can help you find gigs and make contacts.
Look into auditioning for specific dance companies. Many companies offer open auditions or have specific requirements for dancers they are looking for.
Attend dance workshops and conferences to stay up to date on the latest trends and techniques. This will help you stay competitive in the industry and give you an edge when auditioning for companies.
Apply for grants and scholarships that can help fund your touring expenses and make it easier to travel.
Create a business plan outlining your goals and objectives as a dancer, including your plans for touring.
Make sure you have a valid passport, as many tours require international travel.
Promote yourself and your work through social media and other online platforms. This will help increase your visibility and attract potential gigs or sponsorships.
Once you have been accepted into a tour, make sure to prepare yourself and stay organized while on the road. Pack light, plan ahead, and be flexible with any changes that come up during the tour.

Being an effective and successful Dance Company Touring Artist requires a great deal of dedication and hard work. A successful artist must possess outstanding physical strength and agility, knowledge of choreography and dance technique, a strong work ethic, and excellent communication skills. All of these elements are essential for success in the field of dance touring and performance.

Furthermore, the artist must be able to handle the demands of travel, maintain a professional attitude while in the public eye, and stay in top physical shape during the tour. Without these qualities, the artist would not be ideal for the demanding world of dance touring.

You may want to check Dance Company Booking Agent, Dance Company Tour Booking Coordinator, and Dance Studio Floor Manager for alternative.

Job Description

Tour Manager: Responsible for overseeing the planning, budgeting, and execution of tour dates, ensuring that all logistical, artistic, and financial needs are met.
Tour Coordinator: Responsible for coordinating the logistics of the tour, including booking hotels, flights, and transportation, as well as making sure all performance venues are booked and ready for the company's arrival.
Tour Designer: Responsible for designing and creating the stage sets and props that will be used during the tour.
Tour Technician: Responsible for setting up and maintaining the technical equipment used in the performance, such as lighting, sound, and video systems.
Tour Choreographer: Responsible for choreographing and teaching the dance routines that will be performed on tour.
Tour Publicist: Responsible for promoting the tour through press releases, interviews, and other forms of media outreach.
Tour Accountant: Responsible for managing the finances of the tour, including budgeting and bookkeeping.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Advanced technical ability in a variety of dance styles
Excellent physical strength and stamina
Professional experience in a variety of performance settings
Professional performance quality and presentation
Ability to work effectively with dancers of all levels of experience
Ability to collaborate and create choreography with other dancers
Ability to take direction from the artistic director and staff
Familiarity with production elements such as lighting, sound, and costume design
Knowledge of the history and theory of dance
Awareness of cultural and social contexts of dance
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Willingness to travel and work in different environments
Commitment to professional development, including ongoing training and study of new techniques

Being a successful Dance Company Touring Artist requires a range of skills, but the most important of these is the ability to effectively communicate with audiences. This requires the artist to be able to articulate their vision and connect with the audience on an emotional level. The artist must also be able to fluidly transition between different styles of dance as well as adapt to different music, lighting, and stage arrangements.

Furthermore, the artist must be able to collaborate with other dancers and choreographers, as well as show leadership and confidence when working with a team. Lastly, the artist must possess physical and mental strength in order to perform demanding routines without becoming fatigued or injured. All these skills are essential for any Dance Company Touring Artist to be successful and make a lasting impression on audiences.

Dance Company Touring Merchandiser, Dance Company Touring Stage Manager, and Dance Company Production Manager are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in dance and touring?
What kind of tour experiences have you had in the past?
How do you stay motivated while on tour?
What challenges have you encountered while on tour and how did you address them?
How do you handle stress or fatigue while on tour?
What techniques do you use to maintain a high level of energy during a show?
How would you handle an emergency situation while on tour?
How do you work with other artists as part of a team on tour?
What strategies do you use to stay organized and manage your time while on tour?
How do you create a positive experience for audiences and keep them engaged during performances?

Common Tools in Industry

Tour scheduling software. Used to manage and organize the tour schedule for a dance company, including venues, performance dates, travel arrangements, and other important details (eg: Tourbuilder).
Tour budgeting software. Used to track and manage tour-related expenses, such as transportation, accommodation, production costs and more (eg: Tourbooker).
Tour marketing software. Used to create marketing campaigns to promote upcoming shows and spread awareness of the dance company (eg: Constant Contact).
Performance software. Used to track the performance of a dance troupe in terms of audience response, technical execution, and overall performance quality (eg: DanceMentor).
Tour booking software. Used to book venues and secure contracts related to the tour; often used in combination with tour scheduling software (eg: BookMyShow).
Tour management software. Used to manage the logistics related to a tour, such as travel, accommodation, and other details (eg: Tour Manager Pro).
Social media management software. Used to manage the companys social media accounts, including scheduling posts and tracking analytics (eg: Hootsuite).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Ballet Theatre
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Boston Ballet
Dance/USA
Dance Theatre of Harlem
Dance/NYC
Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival
International Association of Blacks in Dance
International Society for the Performing Arts
International Dance Council
National Dance Education Organization
National Association of Schools of Dance
The National Ballet of Canada
The Royal Ballet
Society of Dance History Scholars

We also have Dance Company Stage Manager, Dance Company Touring Sound Engineer, and Dance Costume Maker jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Tour Manager. The person responsible for the administrative and logistical aspects of a dance companys tour, including making travel arrangements, booking venues, and providing support for the artists.
Rehearsal Director. The person responsible for overseeing the rehearsal process, working with the choreographer to ensure that the dances are polished and ready for the tour.
Tour Booking Agent. An individual or organization responsible for finding and booking performance venues for a dance company tour.
Promoter. An individual or organization that is responsible for promoting a tour and managing ticket sales.
Choreographer. The person who creates the dances that will be performed by a dance company during their tour.
Production Manager. The person responsible for managing all aspects of the production, including set design, lighting design, and sound design.
Touring Artist. An individual dancer or group of dancers who travel with a dance company on tour to perform the choreographers works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the average length of a Dance Company Touring Artist contract? A1: The average length of a Dance Company Touring Artist contract is typically 1-2 years. Q2: What qualifications are needed to become a Dance Company Touring Artist? A2: To become a Dance Company Touring Artist, applicants must have at least 3 years of professional dance experience and have a strong technical background in ballet and other dance styles. Q3: How many dancers are usually part of a Dance Company Touring Artist group? A3: Dance Company Touring Artist groups usually consist of between 8-12 dancers. Q4: Are there any benefits associated with being a Dance Company Touring Artist? A4: Yes, Dance Company Touring Artists often receive health insurance, travel stipends, and performance fees. Q5: What types of performances do Dance Company Touring Artists usually participate in? A5: Dance Company Touring Artists typically participate in a variety of performances such as ballets, musicals, and modern dance performances.