Professional Choreographer Job Description

Choreographers create stories with motion.

Professional choreographers work with actors, dancers, music artists and students to teach them dance routines and techniques that express ideas and stories through precise movements. Choreographers produce art in motion through new interpretations of established dance routines and the creation of original dance for a variety of different outlets, including stage, screen, television and live performances.

Skills and Educational Requirements

Professional choreographers need experience as dancers.

Although no formal education is required, most professional choreographers spend several years learning the job from seasoned choreographers and through work experience. Typically, dance training begins at an early age. Some conservatories offer choreography courses, states the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and many universities and colleges offer courses through their fine arts, theater or dance departments that lead to a bachelor's or master's degree in dance. Prospective choreographers who enroll in formal programs should consider including courses in movement analysis and the history, composition and criticism of dance. Additionally, a degree in music, history or visual arts is a plus.

Becoming a choreographer takes a lot of discipline and the ability to work with people as well as having good problem-solving skills. The choreographer must be able to instruct performers in the proper way to carry out the steps and body positions to create the desired effect. According to StateUniversity.com, in addition to knowing about dance and dance techniques, choreographers must know about costumes, lighting, music and drama.

Job Duties

Dancers and choreographers spend a lot of time in rehearsal.

The job of the choreographer is to tell a story or convey a message through a combination of dance, music, sound and other creative devices. Choreographers spend countless hours in a dance studio teaching step-by-step instructions and breaking down routines to individual dancers or groups. Some choreographers are also responsible for costume design, sound effects and lighting when it is time for their students to attend a performance. Choreographers who specialize in martial arts often work in the film industry to arrange complex martial arts fight scenes.

Working Environment

Choreographers plan out performances.

Typically, choreographers and the dancers they train work indoors in a climate-controlled environment, depending on the age and condition of the available studio or rehearsal hall. A large number of choreographers start their careers as dancers and understand the personal sacrifices required in order to perfect the performance. Steady employment is difficult to find and choreographers spend long hours in practice and rehearsals preparing for paying engagements.

Employment Outlook

Finding steady work is difficult.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment opportunities for choreographers to increase only by 5 percent over the decade of 2008 to 2018. The agency reports that an estimated 16,200 choreographers were actively working during the reporting period of May 2008. However, competition is high in this occupational field, and only the very talented find full-time employment.

Earnings

The median salary for a professional choreographer in 2008 was $38,520. The lowest 10 percent earned $17,880 while the highest earned approximately $67,160. Some professional choreographers who go on tour or work with solo artists can earn allowances and overtime.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Dancers and Choreographers
• StateUniversity.com: Choreographer