Choreographers

Choreographers generally begin their careers as dancers, and during their training they participate in informal apprenticeships with experienced choreographers to study and practice how to choreograph dance routines. By their mid- to late-30s, many dancers are ready to transition to careers as choreographers or in other professions. Some dancers also work as choreographers during their dance careers.

Successful choreographers are extremely creative and imaginative, have expert knowledge of dance and movement, and are excellent teachers. They must be in good shape in order to demonstrate dance moves and sequences, and able to multitask because they often work on more than one production at a time. Patient and perseverance are also important because choreographers 1) spend many hours going over the same routines with dancers until they’ve perfected the moves or sequences, and, 2) it takes a lot of hard work, and many false starts, to create great works of art.

Choreographers need excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and they must be team players. Some people may think that choreography is basically about bringing one’s creative ideas to fruition in concert with dancers, but choreographers actually work as a part of a much larger team. They collaborate closely with costume designers, lighting designers, music directors and composers, and others.