9.11: The Making of a Dance Professional
- Page ID
- 295038
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Since professional dancing is only a part of the many jobs that a dancer may hold, careers in dance need to be perceived beyond the performance context to have applicability in the real world of work (Longley & Kensington-Miller, 2020; T’ai, 2019). A 21st century dance education must embrace a more entrepreneurial mindset in order to compete in the rapidly changing job market (ELI, 2023; Schoeniger et al., 2021). The dance employment landscape should highlight various opportunities to buttress each sovereign dancer’s implicit calling on this oh-so-non-linear career pathway (Pickard & Risner, 2020). Dance as a professional practice can manifest in a wide range of career options beyond that of professional stage performer such as choreographer, dance teacher, fitness instructor, studio owner, non-profit arts management, dance retail, dance movement therapy (DMT), dance historian, dance notation, or physical therapy (Indeed, 2022; Predki, 2023).
(Nazareth College from Rochester, NY, USA. Ekabhishek. (2009, September 25). Contemporary dance at its finest. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bend_and_Snap,_contemporary_dance_performance_at_Nazareth_College_Arts_Center,_Rochester,_New_York_-_20090925.jpg)
All of the above possible careers in dance are unique and have specific pathways of study. This chapter cannot list how to become all of those… research on your own will be needed to manifest your destiny as a dance professional! That said, the following section of this chapter will focus on college dance classroom tasks that your professors could adopt to cultivate differentiated skills that are uniquely entrepreneurial. It is incumbent upon all dancers to work as a team is to ensure that any venue your dance group is allowed to use wants to invite you back! One lofty aim is to build professional relationships, be easy to work with operating with gratitude, grace, professionalism.
Learn how to collaborate to mount a stage professional stage production. Competence, not only as a fabulous dancer, but in all areas of production fosters gratitude, grace, professionalism. Dancers who feel entitled, operate with bad attitudes, or are demanding for their own purposes will typically destabilize the relationships backstage, and among the vital support of a theatre house leadership, its staff, the tech folks, and managers. Therefore, once the studio-based creative work is completed and dances are choreographed, well-rehearsed, and stage-ready, there is still much work to do. If you are a dance major aiming to be pre-professional, you are a stakeholder in the success of your own showcase! Admittedly, the tasks below are incomplete in how dancers can serve the larger project of mounting a show. But for the purposes of this textbook, read on for some classroom ideas to acquire real-world, entrepreneurial, workplace applicable skills.
Legacy Committee
- Acquire quality headshots of all dancers in the show
- Collect and edit biographies on all dancers in the show
- Document dance classes / stage rehearsals in photo and video
- Submit stellar photos and an edited video montage (:30 spot) to the marketing team / your institution’s marketing
- Post (at least 3, for example) social media posts prior to the show date!
- Reserve / acquire tables, linens, themed decorations and set up lobby prior to performance.
- Create and produce professional looking headshot and bio postings for the lobby display at the theatre.
- Theatre Strike: Assist with theatre strike after the show including: Successfully tear down lobby display / rip up Marley tape, remove all spike tape, roll up Marley floor, take all props out of theatre for transport back to storage room / dance room. Help unloading so all items are back in storage room in designated spots / Take all lobby and misc. marketing materials back to dance room after performance / Theatre backstage: vacuuming, mopping, wiping down bathroom counters / go through dressing rooms: no bobby pins, no feather fluffs, no lipstick on counters, no sparkles in carpet, empty garbage cans, tie bags and leave for housekeeping folks
(Lamemanar. (2014, Oct 10). Eman's headshot; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F...s_headshot.jpg)
A headshot is a professional portrait that focuses on a dancer’s face. This term is normally used for profile images on social media and promotional images for actors, dancers, singers, models, and authors (Kolonia, 2015).
To strike the set means to take down, or dismantle, the set used for your show to make way for the next production. On a smaller scale, dancers might strike an object from the stage, such as a ladder or a dais, and remove it from the stage (Fierberg, 2019).
Media Committee
- Collect quality edited music from all semester showcase instructors/student choreographers/guest choreographers
- Compile all music into a digital file that can be shared
- Successfully collaborate with the Legacy Committee to produce a video montage for intermission (final product music be approved by the Dance Department Chair or showcase director)
- Submit approved video montage to the college institution’s marketing department and Media Committee for social media marketing
- Request, set deadline, and successfully collect headshots, action dance photos and short biographies on each dancer and contributing choreographer.
- Post Teacher Feature and Dancer Feature headshot or action photos and biographies to social media in daily or weekly countdown prior to the show date!
- Work with the theatre staff to run the slide show or video during dance showcase intermission
- Theatre Strike: Assist with theatre strike after the show including: Successfully tear down lobby display / rip up Marley tape, remove all spike tape, roll up Marley floor, take all props out of theatre for transport back to storage room / dance room. Help unloading so all items are back in storage room in designated spots / Take all lobby and misc. marketing materials back to dance room after performance / Theatre backstage: vacuuming, mopping, wiping down bathroom counters / go through dressing rooms: no bobby pins, no feather fluffs, no lipstick on counters, no sparkles in carpet, empty garbage cans, tie bags and leave for housekeeping folks
Program Graphic Designer
- Design cover art for the program, marketing flyer, and video order form
- Collect (and edit if needed) quality edited program information from all current semester professors for Dance Department Classes/student choreographers/guest choreographers
Name of Dance
Choreography
Name of Song (according to ASCAP)
Music Artist
Names of dancers in alphabetical order
- Successfully collaborate with Legacy Committee to acquire quality headshots/ images for inclusion in the program
- Successfully collaborate with the Outreach/Sponsorship/Fundraising Committee to acquire a minimum of 5 digital program advertisements from local businesses
- Post at least THREE social media posts prior to the show date!
- Compile all program information into a digital file (Canva or Publisher using PAGINATION) that can be published as a program
- Design a video order form
- Print and post program draft for all dance students/teachers/choreographers to review and supply edits
- Send final edited draft to print at Campus Print Services with Budget Code – Print one design proof only!
- Prior to placing your large print order, check the program design proof at Campus Print Services in person– supply corrections or edits on the design proof.
- Place order and arrange for delivery at theatre by noon day of show
- Theatre Strike: Assist with theatre strike after the show including: Successfully tear down lobby display / rip up Marley tape, remove all spike tape, roll up Marley floor, take all props out of theatre for transport back to storage room / dance room. Help unloading so all items are back in storage room in designated spots / Take all lobby and misc. marketing materials back to dance room after performance / Theatre backstage: vacuuming, mopping, wiping down bathroom counters / go through dressing rooms: no bobby pins, no feather fluffs, no lipstick on counters, no sparkles in carpet, empty garbage cans, tie bags and leave for housekeeping folks
American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) was the first performing rights organization in the United States. Founded in 1914, as the music business has evolved, ASCAP was created to protect the livelihoods of songwriters, composers, and publishers. Dance studios, dance companies, and theatres pay ASCAP fees in order to use music in dance productions.
A design proof is a preview of graphic design work that is created for review and/or approval before the final version of a project is produced for public consumption. Before sending a large-scale project to print without checking out a test copy first, a design proof allows for feedback and review to ensure that all requirements before a design project gets the green-light (Daisy, 2023).
Construction Committee: Costume & Stage Properties (Props)
- Collect intended costume, accessory, dance shoes and undergarment, and props information from all current semester Dance Department Class instructors/student and guest choreographers
- Successfully collaborate with the costume supervisor to understand, access and utilize the Costume Inventory Database/Website for check out procedures and inventory cataloging
- Successfully collaborate with all choreographers to offer assistance, ideas, tools for acquiring or building props / set pieces needed for showcase
- Produce a printed costume and prop inventory document (that can also be posted via Media Committee) that outlines all costume and props requirements for each dance in the showcase including Department classes, student, and guest choreography
- Collect costume rental money from all dancers using borrowed costumes from the costume inventory – collaborate with Department Chair or showcase director or other supervisor to store funds in the cash box / deposit into college dance fund account at Campus Business Office.
- Repair, alter, sew, hot glue or hand wash any costumes that require attention / Build or facilitate the sourcing of all needed set pieces and props
- Maintain the cleanliness of the costume closet – monitor student and faculty usage with integrity, leadership, kindness, and orderly conduct
- Successfully recover all rented costumes, props, and accessories after showcase and update costume inventory website as new or old costumes arrive to the costume closet
- Clean all costumes (detergent supplied by Dance Department)
- Theatre Strike: Assist with theatre strike after the show including: Successfully tear down lobby display / rip up Marley tape, remove all spike tape, roll up Marley floor, take all props out of theatre for transport back to storage room / dance room. Help unloading so all items are back in storage room in designated spots / Take all lobby and misc. marketing materials back to dance room after performance / Theatre backstage: vacuuming, mopping, wiping down bathroom counters / go through dressing rooms: no bobby pins, no feather fluffs, no lipstick on counters, no sparkles in carpet, empty garbage cans, tie bags and leave for housekeeping folks
A costume inventory provides an accurate count of your costumes, props, wigs, dance shoes, and accessories. An inventory system provides the ability to search for costumes, and to plan and prepare for productions. An inventory system can also provide an income bearing enterprise, where a costume rental program can generate revenue and track where everything is and when it is due back to the inventory.
Administrative Committee
- Collaborate with the professor/department chair/dance director to complete the theatre reservation forms. Normally there is a questionnaire, venue reservation, and ticketing applications
- Ensure that all submitted music is clean and family friendly by checking lyrics. Alert professor to any issues.
- Create a show order that is structured for tempo and theme, also allowing for costume changes.
- Accurately build and cross check for consistency, the show order. Provide show order: a) in a digital playlist for theatre tech and b) in print program without any typos, misspellings or errors.
- Serve as the dance company chaperone at any additional performances such as outreach mini-tours, providing show order, music and sound system and liaison efforts on site (as needed)
- Assist Costume Committee in the maintenance the cleanliness of the costume closet – monitor usage and storage of props with integrity
- Facilitate the planning and ensure that all costumes / props / set pieces needed for showcase are accounted for and transported to theatre.
- Assist with theatre strike and keep track of / tabulate attendance at strike
- Ensure all props, sets, costumes, music, gobos and Dance Department supplies are returned to dance room/politely orchestrate the organization of the costume closet to be perfectly clean and ready for next semester
- Theatre Strike: Assist with theatre strike after the show including: Successfully tear down lobby display / rip up Marley tape, remove all spike tape, roll up Marley floor, take all props out of theatre for transport back to storage room / dance room. Help unloading so all items are back in storage room in designated spots / Take all lobby and misc. marketing materials back to dance room after performance / Theatre backstage: vacuuming, mopping, wiping down bathroom counters / go through dressing rooms: no bobby pins, no feather fluffs, no lipstick on counters, no sparkles in carpet, empty garbage cans, tie bags and leave for housekeeping folks
A gobo is an object placed inside or in front of a theatrical light source to control the shape of the emitted light and its shadow onto the stage (Box, 2003).
Community Outreach Committee: Sponsorship/Fundraising and Mini Tour
- Update the sponsorship cover page, provide draft for department chair or professor to edit/approve before distribution to the public.
- Memorize the sponsorship script (Professor will supply this) and acquire the e-mail inquiry and response template (Professor will supply this). Learn the tone for professionalism and information so that you are professional and informed in representing the Dance Department or resident company.
- Visit local businesses with Dance Department marketing packet and sponsorship cover page. Pitch Sponsorship of Dance Club 501c(3). Explain the opportunities for THEM as a local business owner to be involved in the promotion of the college’s dance program (Script).
- Acquire a minimum of 5 digital program ads (example: $25 each) business card size for inclusion in program (have firm mid-semester deadline in place).
- Collaborate with your professor(s) to schedule one fundraising performance event or charity mini tour to a local elderly home, youth shelter, or other small scale but important venue – change lives as dance ambassadors.
- Additional showcase ideas include but are not limited to: Dancing with the Professors, Halloween Spooktacular, Harvest Festival, Fundraising Spaghetti Feed, New Year’s lateover/sleepover at a local dance studio so parents can have a late night out. These additional showcase ideas includes working with you professor to facilitate the acquisition of certificate of insurance (COI), the creation of tickets (if needed), and acquisition of food vendors, locations permissions, sound equipment, music in correct format, etc.
- Acquire silent auction items for the Fundraiser performance event.
- Set up and Strike the Fundraising Performance Event. This includes Marley dance floor, tables, chairs, silent auction tables, sound system, etc.
- Collect funds from Sponsors via Check made out to College or Dance Department and collaborate with Dance Department Chair for Dance Department Business Account Deposit
- Theatre Strike: Assist with theatre strike after the show including: Successfully tear down lobby display / rip up Marley tape, remove all spike tape, roll up Marley floor, take all props out of theatre for transport back to storage room / dance room. Help unloading so all items are back in storage room in designated spots / Take all lobby and misc. marketing materials back to dance room after performance / Theatre backstage: vacuuming, mopping, wiping down bathroom counters / go through dressing rooms: no bobby pins, no feather fluffs, no lipstick on counters, no sparkles in carpet, empty garbage cans, tie bags and leave for housekeeping folks
A United States not-for-profit corporation that is exempt from federal income tax for organizations that are charitable, religious, scientific, artistic, educational, and other entities. 26 U.S.C. § 170 provides a federal tax deduction for some donors who make charitable contributions for most types of 501(c)(3) organizations.
Typically in reference to a governmental diplomat, an ambassador is an appointed representative or official heading a mission to interact in some way with international organizations or nations. An ambassador is an authorized messenger or representative, an official envoy, a diplomat who represents one’s country while involved in an international engagement.
A COI provides all the critical information about an insurance policy at a glance. A COI is a document that demonstrates that a business ensures that it adheres to specific regulatory frameworks and demonstrates a commitment to upholding legal and ethical standards for safety. The maintenance of a COI proves compliance in businesses to safeguard operations and cultivates trust and credibility related to insurance concerns.