Dance Companies 101

While there is a wide range of opportunities that a trained dancer has access to, many dancers dream of landing a spot in a professional dance company. What does being in a dance company entail though? There’s still a plethora of opportunities among dance companies and within a single dance company, for types of positions available.

Styles of Dance

While a ballet company might be the most recognizable to people that are not in the dance world, many may not realize that there are dance companies available for dancers who train in all styles! From contemporary to tap to hip hop, the sky is the limit when it comes to dance companies. No matter what style of dance you prefer or excel at, there are options of different dance companies for which you can audition. 

Job Opportunities

With a dance company, there are various employment opportunities available aside from being a dancer. While some smaller dance companies might employ only a few people that wear many hats, some of the positions you can expect to see in dance companies include:

• Artistic director

• Choreographer

• Rehearsal Director

• Stage Manager

• Producer

• Lighting and Costume Designers

In addition to the positions directly relating to performance, there are also more administrative positions that may be available, including the board of directors, general manager, education administrator, as well as marketing and finance managers.

The best way to choose to a dance company and position that suits your skills is to do some research online and ask your dance instructor or fellow students to see if they have any leads. The dance field is constantly growing, so be sure to continually explore your options!