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

Apr 9, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Dance Performance Artists are responsible for creating and executing choreography that is visually appealing and captivating. This requires a high level of physical fitness, technical skill, creativity, and passion. The effects of a successful performance can be far-reaching, as it can inspire audiences to appreciate the art of dance and create an emotional connection with the performers.

Furthermore, dance performance artists can help to promote physical health and well-being, as engaging in dance can provide physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Finally, dance performance artists can also help to strengthen communities by providing a platform for people to connect and share their love for dance.

Steps How to Become

Take Dance Classes. Take dance classes to learn the basics of dance. Consider taking classes in a variety of styles, such as jazz, ballet, hip-hop, tap, and modern.
Hone Your Technique. Practice your dance technique regularly. Attend as many classes and workshops as you can to develop your skills.
Work With a Choreographer. Work with a choreographer to create unique pieces for performance. A choreographer will help you develop your technique and combine it with the right movement to create a captivating piece.
Perform. Get out there and perform! Look for opportunities to showcase your talents at local events, festivals, competitions, or even in the streets.
Network. Build relationships with other dancers, choreographers, and promoters. Networking is key in the dance world, and it can open up opportunities for you to perform and collaborate with other artists.
Find Your Niche. Find a style of dance that speaks to you and focus on developing that niche. This will help you stand out and make you more attractive to potential employers.
Create a Resume. As you start to build your career, create a resume highlighting your experience and skills. Include any performances youve done, awards youve won, or classes youve taken.
Look for Gigs. Start looking for gigs as a dance performance artist. Look for jobs in theater companies, dance troupes, or with event planners or promoters. You can also look for gigs at night clubs or with concert touring groups.
Market Yourself. Promote yourself as a dance performance artist through social media, websites, and word of mouth. Reach out to potential employers, letting them know what you have to offer and why you're the best person for the job.

Staying ahead and capable as a dance performance artist requires dedication and commitment. To keep up with the ever-evolving industry, it is essential to stay abreast of current trends, attend workshops and seminars, and actively seek out new opportunities. having a comprehensive understanding of different dance styles and techniques is key, as well as building strong relationships with fellow artists and professionals within the field.

Furthermore, honing in on technical and creative skills, such as improvisation, partnering, and choreography, can help to set a dancer apart from the competition. By investing time and energy into continuously expanding artistic knowledge, a performer can stay ahead and capable in their field.

You may want to check Dance Rehearsal Director, Dance Company Director, and Dance Company Touring Technician for alternative.

Job Description

Dance Choreographer: Creates and sets dance routines for performances and works with dancers to ensure that they are correctly executed.
Dance Instructor: Teaches classes in various types of dance including ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and contemporary.
Dance Rehearsal Facilitator: Guides dancers through rehearsals and provides corrections to ensure that the performance is well-prepared for an audience.
Dance Performance Artist: Performs professionally as a dancer in a theatrical or other performance setting.
Dance Videographer: Captures dance performances on video for review, archiving, and publicity purposes.
Dance Costume Designer: Develops and constructs costumes for dance performances.
Dance Lighting Designer: Creates lighting schemes to compliment the mood of a dance performance.
Dance Music Composer: Writes music specifically for dance performances.
Dance Public Relations Officer: Promotes the dance performance and its artists to the public through press releases and other publicity activities.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Physical Strength and Endurance
Flexibility and Agility
Artistic Expression
Technical Skill
Musicality and Timing
Creativity and Imagination
Knowledge of Dance Styles
Communication and Collaboration
Self-Discipline and Dedication
Professionalism

Being a successful dance performance artist requires a range of skills and abilities. In order to stand out from the crowd and excel, it is essential to have strong technical skills such as knowledge of different techniques and choreography. creativity and the ability to create unique and engaging performances are also essential for success.

Furthermore, having excellent physical fitness and stamina is necessary to be able to perform for extended periods of time, as well as having a good sense of rhythm and musicality. Lastly, it is important to have an understanding of how to use stage space effectively, as well as the ability to interact with the audience during a performance. All of these skills combined will help a dance performance artist to create captivating performances that will leave the audience in awe.

Dance Company Touring Videographer, Dance Show Coordinator, and Dance Studio Floor Manager are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What inspired you to pursue a career in dance performance art?
How did you develop your dance style and technique?
What have been some of your most memorable performances and why?
What challenges have you faced as a dancer and how have you overcome them?
What techniques do you use to stay motivated and energized during a performance?
How do you stay creative and innovative in your choreography?
What elements do you consider when creating a new dance piece?
What is your approach to working with a team of dancers?
How do you stay organized and manage the logistics for a performance?
What opportunities do you see for growth and development as a dancer?

Common Tools in Industry

Costume Design Software. A software designed to help costume designers create and visualize costumes with a range of customizable options. (eg: Marvelous Designer)
Music Editing Software. A software that allows users to edit, mix, and create music for a variety of purposes. (eg: Ableton Live)
Video Editing Software. A software that enables users to edit videos and create unique visual effects. (eg: Adobe Premiere Pro)
Lighting Design Software. A software that helps lighting designers create and customize light settings for performances. (eg: Capture Argo)
Choreography Software. A software that helps choreographers create, visualize, and refine their choreography. (eg: ChoreoGraph)
3D Animation Software. A software that allows users to create 3D animations for use in performances. (eg: Blender)
Motion Capture Software. A software that utilizes motion capture technology to capture and recreate realistic body movements. (eg: MotionBuilder)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Dance Guild
Dance/USA
National Association of Schools of Dance
Society of Dance History Scholars
Dance/NYC
Dance/USA Institute
Dance/Music Education Network
National Dance Education Organization
International Council of Kinetography Laban
International Association for Dance Medicine and Science

We also have Dance Company Stage Manager, Dance Performance Technician, and Dance Company Touring Artist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Choreography. The art of creating and arranging dances.
Improvisation. The spontaneous creation of movement in response to music or other stimuli.
Solo Performance. A dance performance by a single dancer.
Group Performance. A dance performance by multiple dancers.
Technique. The physical skills and training required to perform a dance.
Repertoire. A list of dances that have been learned or prepared for performance.
Costuming. Clothing and accessories used to enhance the performance of a dance.
Lighting Design. The use of light to create atmosphere and enhance the performance of a dance.
Stagecraft. The techniques used to create a stage setting for a performance.
Makeup Design. The use of makeup to enhance the dancers appearance in a performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of dance does a Dance Performance Artist typically perform?

A Dance Performance Artist typically performs a variety of dance styles, including ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, and tap.

How long does a Dance Performance Artist usually rehearse for a show?

A Dance Performance Artist typically rehearses for a show for 8-10 hours per day, over the course of several weeks.

What is the average fee for a Dance Performance Artist?

The average fee for a Dance Performance Artist can vary depending on the artist, the size of the show, and the location. Generally, fees range from $500 to $3000 per performance.

What qualifications should a Dance Performance Artist possess?

A Dance Performance Artist should possess strong technical and artistic skills in dance, and should have knowledge of different dance styles. Additionally, they should be able to take direction and work in a team environment.

What is the typical attire for a Dance Performance Artist?

The typical attire for a Dance Performance Artist varies depending on the style of dance being performed. Generally, formal attire such as leotards, tights, and tutus are worn for ballet performances, while jazz and hip hop performances involve more casual clothing such as jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers.