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