Expand mobile version menu

What They Do

Dancers Career Video

About This Career

Performs dances. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for video recording.

This career is part of the Arts, Audio-Video Technology and Communications cluster Performing Arts pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Studies and practices dance moves required in roles.
  • Harmonizes body movements to rhythm of musical accompaniment.
  • Trains, exercises, and attends dance classes to maintain high levels of technical proficiency, physical ability, and physical fitness.
  • Coordinates dancing with that of partners or dance ensembles.
  • Performs classical, modern, or acrobatic dances in productions, expressing stories, rhythm, and sound with their bodies.
  • Develops self-understanding of physical capabilities and limitations, and chooses dance styles accordingly.
  • Collaborates with choreographers to refine or modify dance steps.
  • Auditions for dance roles or for membership in dance companies.
  • Attends costume fittings, photography sessions, and makeup calls associated with dance performances.
  • Monitors the field of dance to remain aware of current trends and innovations.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would often handle loads up to 50 lbs., sometimes up to 100 lbs. You will need a lot of strength at this level.
  • Work in this occupation involves keeping or regaining your balance more than one-third of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves bending or twisting your body more than one-third of the time
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves making repetitive motions more than one-third of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Maintaining a body position that prevents falling when in an unstable position
  • Moving the arms, legs and torso together when the whole body is in motion
  • Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching quickly and repeatedly
  • Using muscles repeatedly or over time without tiring
  • Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching
  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person
  • Exerting oneself physically over long periods of time without getting out of breath
  • Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying objects
  • Using abdominal and lower back muscles repeatedly or over time without tiring

Work Hours and Travel

  • Irregular hours
  • Overnight travel
  • Weekend work

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Ballerina
  • Ballet Company Member
  • Ballet Dancer
  • Ballet Soloist
  • Belly Dancer
  • Company Dancer
  • Performing Artist
  • Soloist Dancer
  • Latin Dancer

Contact

  • Email Support
  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900
  • North Dakota Career Resource Network
    ndcrn@nd.gov | (701) 328-9733

Support