How To Become a Choreographer
Choreographers play an important role in theatre, music and dance productions. They are the ones who put together the movements that go with the selected music, as well as teach those dances to the actors and dancers who will be on stage.
Not only do choreographers put together musical numbers alongside the director and producers, but they also are present during the audition process, helping select the best people for the roles available. Without a choreographer, many productions would end up looking incomplete.
Wondering how to become a choreographer? Here are some simple steps.
Spend Time Learning Various Forms of Dance
Most choreographers have spent a good part of their lives taking dance lessons. They start as children, taking ballet, tap, or jazz lessons, and as they get older, add in additional forms of dance as well, like modern dance. These students end up with a solid dance background and are able to incorporate different types of movements from various forms of dance into one cohesive performance. Knowing more about the many different types of dance provides a good foundation for a choreographer.
Get an Undergraduate Degree in Dance
On top spending plenty of time in a dance studio, taking lessons on the various styles of dance, choreographers also need a good academic background. This involves getting a degree in Dance from a program like the one offered here at Dean College, where students can specialize in subjects like studio management and dance pedagogy, on top of general performance. Learning more about dance and its history, as well as more about movement, anatomy and kinesiology, gives future choreographers plenty of knowledge to work with when putting together dances and selecting dancers and music.
Gain Experience Working with Theatre Productions
Finding a college with plenty of theatre productions is crucial for those who want to be a choreographer. Students don't need to be on stage in the chorus or acting as one of the leads in a musical. Instead, they can be behind the scenes, working with the school's choreographer to put together the movements and dances that play a crucial role in the performance. Students can also complete summer internships or jobs with local, regional or national theatre companies and productions. This type of experience will give students plenty of practice and looks great on a resume.
Find a Job in the Dance Field
After graduating from college, many future choreographers find themselves back in the dance studio, working as instructors. This gives them a chance to practice putting together dances and teaching the movements to others that they'll need when they find themselves working as full-time choreographers. Others work for theatre and stage productions as assistant choreographers, working their way up the ladder to become lead choreographers.
High school students interested in learning how to become a choreographer should have a solid background in dance should explore the programs offered through the Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance. The program provides them with everything they need and will teach them how to become a choreographer.