How to Become a Backup Dancer

Backup dancers appear on Broadway and in music videos. It is a challenging career. The dance world is very competitive but with a lot of dedication and hard work, it's possible to become a backup dancer. If this is your dream, the steps below will help you in that pursuit.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Decide what kind of dancing you wish to do: for Broadway or for music videos.

2. Take dancing lessons, such as beginning jazz, beginning ballet and Hip-Hop. Dance studies can be found in the phone book or online. Take lessons for at least three years so that your training is solid and you are able to perform proficiently.

3. Move to an area where the opportunities for the dancing you like are best: New York for Broadway dancing, Los Angeles for music video dancing.

4. Learn the right places to dance and be noticed, such as discotheques or dance clubs. This information can be gained at dance studios or from other dancers.

5. Audition for an agency. The bulk of casting is done by talent agencies. Agencies are also able to inform you of upcoming auditions. Auditions are also posted online at such sites as Backstage West, or may even be posted at the dance studio where you take lessons.

6. Attend as many auditions as you can. This is the way to come under the eye of the choreographers who are casting for their shows and dance videos.

7. Never stop practicing.

Resources

• Backstage West is the place to go to find posted auditions in LA.
• A wonderful resource for anyone wishing to become a professional dancer. Auditions are also listed for agencies as well as shows.