A choreographer creates and puts together dance steps, movements and sequences set to music as routines for dancers, actors or musicians. The aim can be a specific one-off show for film, television or theatre, a new addition to the general repertoire of dance for professionals or amateurs to learn, or for a music video or live performance.
Choreographers usually specialise in one style of dance such as:
You could be:
The figures below are only a guide. There is wide variation in the income of choreographers depending on:
Earnings for choreographers can vary widely, depending on the type of contract and production you work on. Equity (the performers' union) negotiates minimum rates of pay for choreographers each year, both for the commercial and independent theatre. The Independent Theatre Council (ITC) website publishes 2022-2023 minimum rates of pay as follows:
Workforce Employment Status
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As with all artistic careers, getting in depends largely not only on your talent but also on successful networking. At first you may have to work in an unpaid placement in order to make contacts. You can work for a dance company, or film, TV or video production companies.
You may work on a freelance basis, earning a fixed fee for individual projects, or a major company such as Scottish Ballet may employ you.
Workforce Education Levels (UK)
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Employment
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You should have:
You also need:
Credit to Center Theatre Group
The following organisations may be able to provide further information.
British Ballet Organisation (BBO)
Tel: 020 8748 1241
E-mail:
info@bbo.dance
Website:
http://www.bbo.dance
Twitter:
@bbodance
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/bbodance/
British Theatre Dance Association (BTDA)
Tel: 0116 397 0866
E-mail:
info@btda.org.uk
Website:
http://www.btda.org.uk
Twitter:
@BTDAdance
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/British-Theatre-Dance-Association-1501833233450091/
Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT)
Tel: 020 7240 5703
E-mail:
info@cdmt.org.uk
Website:
http://www.cdmt.org.uk/
Twitter:
@CDMTorg
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CDMTuk/
Equity
Tel: 020 7379 6000
E-mail:
info@equity.org.uk
Website:
http://www.equity.org.uk/
Twitter:
@EquityUK
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/EquityUK
Membership of Equity is open not just those in the acting profession but to anyone working professionally in the field of entertainment.
One Dance UK
Tel: 020 7713 0730
E-mail:
info@onedanceuk.org
Website:
http://www.onedanceuk.org
Twitter:
@onedanceuk
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/onedanceuk
Scottish Ballet
Tel: 0141 331 2931
E-mail:
feedback@scottishballet.co.uk
Website:
http://www.scottishballet.co.uk
Twitter:
@scottishballet
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/scottishballethq/