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Dancer

A dancer uses movement, gesture and body language to portray a character, situation or abstract concept to an audience, usually to the accompaniment of music. This normally involves interpreting the work of a choreographer, although improvisation may sometimes be required. Dancers work in a variety of genres, from classical ballet and West End musicals to contemporary dance and freestyle (disco). A dancer's role may involve education or therapy, as well as entertainment. Dancing is a competitive and physically demanding career, which often involves periods of unemployment and underemployment. Many dancers follow portfolio careers, combining different types of work such as performing and teaching.

Typical work activities

Although performing is the most obvious activity, it usually occupies a comparatively small proportion of a dancer's time. Many dancers (especially graduates) follow portfolio careers, combining performance with teaching, choreography, development work or administrative work in a company. The term dance artist is often preferred to the term dancer. Work activities differ from dancer to dancer, depending on the contract. However, activities include varying combinations of the following:

performing to a live audience;
preparing for performance, by rehearsing and exercising;
studying and creating choreography;
discussing and interpreting choreography with colleagues and choreographers;
learning, practising and using other skills such as singing and acting. Many roles, for example in musical theatre, require a combination of performance skills;
looking after costumes and equipment;
preparing for and attending auditions;
teaching dance, either privately or in the public sector;
working in dance development and promotion, encouraging and enabling people, especially children, to become involved in dance, and to understand and appreciate it;
running workshops in the community, especially to involve children in dance;
taking care of the health and safety of people whom they supervise, which requires knowledge and observation of physiology and anatomy, as well as safe use of premises and equipment;
undertaking administrative work, promotional work or stage management work, particularly in a small company or if setting up own company;
liaising with arts and dance organisations, theatres and other venues regarding funding, contracts, etc.

It is important to appreciate that promoting yourself, your work and your company is an essential task for a dancer. This occurs through your CV and publicity photographs, presentations and auditions, meetings, business plans and links with the media.

Equity - The British Actors Union has negotiated a minimum salary of £285 per week for dancers. Non-equity work normally pays below this, but many dancers are prepared to accept such contracts in order to gain experience and contacts. Some people work voluntarily to gain contacts. Equity subscriptions are on a sliding scale according to income, with the minimum fee being £66. Members enjoy certain benefits relating to sickness and injury as well as insurance. The Arts Councils (The Arts Council of England, Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Scottish Arts Council (SAC)) and most regional arts boards will only fund projects that pay equity rates.

Hours are normally unsocial, as most performances are in the evening. Dancers practise daily, even when not performing.

Some rehearsals take place in purpose built studios, but others take place in rooms which are not ideal for the purpose and may be cold, draughty or dirty.

Competition for jobs is high and many contracts are short-term. Dancers tend to be self-employed, and often employ an accountant to prepare tax returns.

Far more women than men are involved in dance at all levels, which means that there is less competition for men. Some companies specialise in Asian and African dance cultures. Some companies aim to involve people with physical disabilities in dance.

A dancer's career can be short. Injuries, especially to feet, back and legs can shorten a performance career, which in any case rarely lasts beyond the age of 40. Physical fitness, weight and appearance are important factors in maintaining employability. A career in dance can be stressful because of the instability of employment and the frequent necessity of putting yourself forward to be judged by audiences, employers and other people who control funding for the arts.

A career in dance often involves travel. Work may involve touring the UK or overseas, or it may be necessary to relocate to find work, eg to a large city. Opportunities for employment abroad are frequently available.

Information taken from Prospects www.prospects.ac.uk for more information

Courses

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College
Cornwall College St Austell (6)
Truro College (5)
Weymouth College (5)
Yeovil College (4)
North Devon College (3)
Bournemouth and Poole College (3)
University College Falmouth (2)
Dartington College of Arts (DCA) (2)
South Devon College (2)
City College Plymouth (2)
Bournemouth University Media School (1)
Bridgwater College (1)
University of Plymouth (1)
Exeter College (1)

Qualification
Other (12)
AS (7)
ND (7)
A Level (7)
BA (Hons) (5)
Foundation Degree (5)
Access to HE (2)

Subject
Dance (32)
Drama (19)
Art (2)
Multimedia (1)
Music (1)