Friday, September 18, 2009

Dance Offers A Rewarding Career

By Peggy Ryersen

Although art comes in many forms, one of the most active and compelling is known as performance dance. Making the decision to follow a career in this type of dancing is bold, because it is more than just a job. It is a way of life. However, it is a career move that can also be very rewarding. Students who are serious about dance usually stay in this field for the rest of their lives, but may switch to different areas of the job if situations change. The following areas are those where students who were at first dancers were able to enter.

Dancers

Dancers are the performers and do the work for shows. They may or may not be involved in creative process of the steps, moves and ideas of the production. Many dancers become teachers or choreographers while still involved in dance. There are several top-rated schools of theatre and dance scattered throughout the nation that offer a feel into the dimension of dance as a future career and many other areas that blend.

Artistic Director

The artistic director is in charge of setting the artistic vision and direction for the dance company. Often in the dance company, the artistic director and the choreographer serve as the same person. The choreographer creates the dance pieces and also teaches the dancers different movement styles.

Technical Careers

Entire crews of technicians work behind the scenes to make a great show. The production manager coordinates many aspects of the theatrical side such as lights, set, and sound while the stage manager calls the lighting and sound cues during the show and communicates between the performers. Stage hands and lighting experts have tight schedules, realizing the importance of how little time is left between scene and shows.

Administrative Careers in Theatre

A wonderful way to reach the community for fundraisers, special events and in general getting them involved and to help in performances gaining merit and public relations and grants is through theatre arts. Many dancers will put on a show for all to see what they are capable of as a form of advertisement and are happy to do it.

Documentary Careers

What better job to have than to videotape or take exciting pictures of dancers in action for documentaries and specials, publications and promotion? Dance notators are also necessary for reconstructing older works. The two main forms of dance notation are Laban and Benesh. And then there are critics, every dancer's nightmare. Their presence felt in a crowd, ready to give their own opinion about the company or a particular player. A current or past dancer has to be the best critic in the world knowing every emotion, every move and every mistake made during a debut performance.

Other dancers go on to become instructors or help with instructing classes just to be close to the business and watch young, eager children work so hard to realize a dream. The career of dance is quite special for those who have the calling and are willing to spend their lives doing exactly what they love.

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