How to Become a Choreographer

As can be seen with the latest TV lineup of reality competitions, the general public is increasingly becoming more interested in dance. When the dancers hit the stage, the choreographers are often congratulated for their creativity.The choreographer is the "composer" of the dance, similar to a music composer or a movie scriptwriter. Today, choreographers compose much more than dance. They are also asked to design movie stunt sequences, fashion runway walks, and lead classes on cruises. Similar to pursuing a career in any art, it takes hard work, self-discipline, perseverance and patience. Those who have the passion successfully find their niche. Read these steps below to learn more about breaking into this exciting field.

Instructions

1. Assess your interests and skills. If you truly desire to be a choreographer, it is very useful to have a experience as a dancer and a love of dancing. You also need many other skills, such as managing and leading people, creativity, imagination, and working well in a fast-paced, high-pressure and very competitive field.

2. Gain a foundation in dance as early as possible and begin to get additional training in one area of interest. By high school, start trying out for dance performance opportunities in school and in your community. During the summer, either audition for local performances or musical theater or attend summer training programs through secondary schools or private companies.

3. Arrange for work experience with choreographers or dance companies whenever you can. Begin to learn the trade of choreography by sharing your thoughts and carefully watching the work being performed. Keep a journal of your ideas and ask the choreographer or teacher if you can help with instruction. Start with younger children. Talk with as many teachers and choreographers as you can about this career and how they were able to pursue their dance interest.

4. Pursue a bachelor's degree in dance that offers courses especially for choreography, such as dance composition, bodily movements and teaching, or get long-term training from different dance groups. A liberal arts education with art, music, literature, and history can be useful in better understanding how to use dance as a cultural expression. When you are not working, you need to be dancing and continually thinking of new ways of expression.

5. Find your specific niche to follow, be it modern dance, ballroom dancing, jazz, hip hop or stunts. Then look for positions that require this niche at theater groups, cruise ships, night clubs, hotels and resorts, ballroom dancing classes, and movie production houses. You will have to start out as an assistant and, over time, build your experience and reach higher positions.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not give up. If you really love dance, there will be a place for you.

Resources

• U.S. Occupational Outlook, dance and choreography