Adding extra strings to your bow so you don’t just model but also act, sing or dance will not only get you more work but will also get your face known more widely.

Nowadays there is a huge cross over between the modelling and entertainment industries. In Hollywood it seems that you have to have the looks as well as the talent to make it to the top. Angelina Jolie, Cameron Diaz, Hale Berry and Elizabeth Hurley all started out in modelling before becoming stars of the silver screen.

In the music industry, there are many acts that have been put together by record companies using models who have talents in singing and dancing. And you just have to turn on MTV to see dancers in music videos who have been employed for their looks as well as their dancing skill.

Here we give you some info on what it takes to be a professional dancer.


Dancing: The Work

Professional dance falls in to three main categories. Classical ballet, contemporary dance and modern stage. Professional dancers will usually specialise in one particular style. However it is now becoming more common for dancers to branch out into other areas.

Dancers spend a great deal of time developing and maintaining their dance skills, as well as rehearsing for parts. Improvisation is sometimes required but more often than not a choreographer will ask you to interpret their work. In Contemporary Dance, improvisation is becoming more and more important as choreographers want to see their dancer’s personalities through their movement. This makes a piece much more of a collaborative process.

Dancing is rigorous work requiring a lot of dedication and stamina. Practice and rehearsals during the day followed by a performance in the evening can be exhausting.

Travel and touring is part and parcel of a professional dancer’s life. A dancer may sometimes have to relocate, or be away from home for a very long time because of work. Rehearsals are generally held in practice studios. Performances most commonly take place in theatres but there is also call for professional dancers in films, music videos, on television, in clubs, at special events and on cruise ships.


Skills Required

·    A dancer should have a passion for their art.

·    A dancer should have exceptional levels of skill, fitness and stamina.

·    A dancer should have an excellent sense of rhythm.

·    A dancer will have to be practiced and competent at remembering complicated routines.

·    A dancer should be ready to train, rehearse and work extremely hard. Often under a lot of pressure.

·    A dancer should be versatile and adaptable to changes of cast or role.

·    A dancer should be a team player.


Getting Started

Many professional dancers have a long history in dance. Ballet dancers often undertake training from the age of ten or even younger!

To become proficient in a particular style of dance can take several years. There are numerous dance schools that offer part-time courses, which are usually geared towards gradings.

There are also schools that offer serious full-time courses for students who are dedicated to making dance their career. There are always auditions to pass and at the top level there are sometimes height and physique requirements.

Information and links to sites that can give you more information on accredited courses can be found in our links section.


Training

Training in any form of dance involves a lot of practical work. Most courses are geared toward achieving a National Diploma in Professional Dance or a National Certificate in Professional Classical Ballet.

Dance schools are mainly private and charge high fees. However in some cases funding can be obtained through the Dance and Drama Award Scheme. It may also be possible for a dancer to apply for funding through National Arts Councils.

Nowadays a number of colleges and universities offer dance courses but these are sometimes not a pure dance curriculum. However learning about some of the branches of dance could help provide job opportunities for the future. Dance does not offer long-term job security. Most professional dancers will find their dancing career over by the age of 35.

Some dance schools now offer a degree, which goes towards giving a dancer a certain amount of security.


Opportunities

Professional dance is extremely competitive. There are many more people looking for dance work than there are places available. Auditions can be ruthless. Because of this, a tireless dedication and work-rate are essential to perfecting your art and getting that job.

Outside of actually performing, employment opportunities exist in teaching, choreography, management or even setting up your own dance company!


Income

Most dancers work on short-term contracts. The pay for a professional dancer is capricious. However, Equity (the actors and performers union) state that “Dance Artists” should earn a minimum of £304 per week. Non Equity work can be less.

Dancers can supplement the money earned from dancing by teaching public classes in popular styles.