Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Dance Choreographer

🎯 Role Definition

A Dance Choreographer designs, develops and teaches original movement for stage, screen, commercial, and educational productions. The role requires translating musical and narrative concepts into movement vocabulary, directing rehearsals, collaborating with directors/producers/creative teams, casting and coaching performers, and managing the logistical and safety aspects of dance production. Ideal candidates combine strong dance technique across multiple styles, creative vision, clear communication, and production experience in theatre, film, television, live events, or commercial work.

Core keywords: Dance Choreographer, choreography, dance production, movement director, stage choreography, commercial dance, musical theatre choreography, dance rehearsal, casting, dance education.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Professional Performer / Company Dancer with touring or stage experience.
Dance Instructor or Studio Owner with strong teaching and staging skills.
Assistant Choreographer, Rehearsal Director, or Dance Captain.

Advancement To:

Artistic Director or Resident Choreographer of a company or theatre.
Movement Director for film, television, or immersive productions.
Creative Director for commercial campaigns, major live events, or dance tours.
Producer / Creative Producer for dance-driven projects.

Lateral Moves:

Rehearsal Director / Dance Captain
Movement Coach or On-Set Movement Consultant
Choreography Professor / Curriculum Developer for performing arts schools

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conceptualize, develop and deliver original choreography and movement sequences that support the director's creative vision, narrative beats, and musical structure for theatre, film, TV, commercials, concerts, and digital content.
Create movement vocabulary and phrasework tailored to the director’s brief, musical arrangements, and the production’s visual style, ensuring stylistic consistency across scenes and numbers.
Lead and direct rehearsals from initial movement creation through technical rehearsals and previews, providing clear instruction, corrections, and adjustments to achieve precise timing and expression.
Cast dancers and performers by organizing and running auditions, callbacks, and trial rehearsals; assess candidates’ technical ability, performance quality, and fit for specified roles.
Adapt choreography to fit the abilities, body types, and safety needs of cast members; provide scaled alternatives and progressions for performers at different levels while preserving artistic intent.
Collaborate closely with directors, musical directors, composers, stage managers, costume designers, props, lighting and sound teams to integrate movement with music, staging, costumes, and technical cues.
Edit, arrange, and time music in coordination with music directors or sound designers; provide tempo maps, click tracks, or annotated music edits that support choreography and technical rehearsals.
Block and coordinate complex stage traffic, entrances/exits, partner work, lifts, and formations to ensure clear sightlines, spacing, and story clarity for audiences and cameras.
Document choreography through video references, written notation, movement scripts, or Laban/Bartenieff notation as needed for casting continuity, understudies, and touring productions.
Supervise and mentor assistant choreographers, dance captains, rehearsal directors, and apprentices; delegate responsibilities and ensure consistent transmission of choreography and standards.
Ensure dancer health and safety by teaching proper warm-ups, progressions, safe spotting and partnering techniques, and by coordinating with medical staff or physical therapists when needed.
Develop and manage rehearsal schedules, production timelines, and task lists in coordination with stage managers and producers to meet creative milestones and production deadlines.
Maintain continuity between rehearsals and performances by coaching performers on performance quality, nuance, character-driven movement, and adjustments called during tech or previews.
Translate choreography for camera: create camera-friendly movement, plan camera-blocking with directors/cinematographers, and adapt choreography for multi-camera or single-take shoots.
Oversee wardrobe-specific movement considerations, modifying choreography to accommodate costumes, footwear, prosthetics, or special effects to prevent on-stage hazards.
Provide creative direction for music videos, commercials, fashion shows, and brand activations by designing movement that aligns with brand messaging, product needs, and campaign goals.
Manage budgets and procurement needs for choreography (e.g., rehearsal space rental, additional personnel, equipment) in collaboration with production managers and producers.
Negotiate and document licensing, clearances, and rights for music or movement where applicable (e.g., adaptations, revivals, or commercially released choreography).
Provide on-site adjustments during tech rehearsals and performances to respond to unforeseen production changes, performer availability, or technical limitations.
Lead workshops, movement labs, or community outreach programs to test movement concepts, develop new work, and cultivate audience engagement or educational partnerships.
Create and deliver a clear creative pitch and treatment for potential collaborators and funders, including video reels, movement samples and production plans to secure commissions or contracts.
Prepare understudies and cover performers by teaching condensed versions of choreography, running intensive refreshers, and maintaining up-to-date documentation for cover rehearsals.
Coordinate touring choreography logistics, including clear choreography transfer processes, touring casts, travel schedules, and rehearsal plans in new venues.
Monitor and measure artistic outcomes and audience reception post-production, incorporating feedback into iterative adjustments and future creative planning.

Secondary Functions

Teach masterclasses, community classes, or university courses that expand the company’s educational reach and feed pipeline talent into productions.
Participate in marketing initiatives by contributing to promo videos, behind-the-scenes content, press materials, and creative social media assets showcasing choreography and process.
Support grant writing and funding proposals by providing artistic statements, prospective budgets for choreography elements, and project deliverables.
Mentor emerging choreographers and interns by providing career guidance, feedback on creative work, and practical production training.
Curate movement archives and digital libraries of recorded rehearsals, notation, and reference materials to preserve work for revivals and licensing.
Advise on casting strategy and diversity/equity considerations to ensure inclusive representation and culturally authentic movement practices.
Assist producers in scouting and securing rehearsal facilities, equipment rentals, and local crew when touring.
Contribute to curriculum or program design for dance schools, conservatories, or community outreach programs tied to the organization’s mission.
Serve as an ambassador for the company at industry events, conferences, auditions, and community engagements to build networks and attract collaborators.
Facilitate movement research and development, experimenting with new movement languages, interdisciplinary collaborations (e.g., visual art, technology), and innovative staging techniques.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Expert choreography creation across multiple dance styles (e.g., contemporary, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, physical theatre, musical theatre).
Proficiency in teaching and staging steps, combinations, partnering, lifts, and formations for both ensemble and principal performers.
Strong musicality: ability to analyze, edit, and sync choreography to music, count structure, tempo changes, and rhythmic accents.
Camera choreography and camera-blocking experience for film, TV, music video, and commercial shoots.
Notation and documentation skills (video logging, movement notation such as Laban or Benesh, or detailed movement scripts).
Rehearsal planning and production scheduling; experience coordinating with stage managers and production teams.
Knowledge of safety, injury prevention, and warm-up protocols; experience working with physiotherapists and medical staff.
Casting and audition direction: ability to create audition material, evaluate candidates, and make casting recommendations.
Technical collaboration: familiarity with lighting, sound, projection, scenic elements, and costume constraints and how they affect movement.
Budgeting and contract management for choreography services, including understanding of performer contracts and licensing.
Digital and editing skills: experience with video editing or annotating rehearsal footage for teaching and archival purposes.
Experience with accessibility and inclusive movement practices to adapt work for diverse bodies and abilities.

Soft Skills

Creative vision and artistic leadership with the ability to conceive and communicate compelling movement ideas.
Strong verbal and visual communication skills for teaching, directing, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
Clear leadership and team management; capacity to motivate performers and guide creative teams under pressure.
Adaptability and problem-solving during live performance and production changes.
Patience, empathy, and teaching ability to develop performers with varied technical skills.
Excellent time management, organization, and deadline orientation in fast-paced production environments.
Cultural sensitivity and collaborative approach to incorporate diverse movement languages responsibly.
Resilience and stamina for long rehearsal days, tech runs, and touring schedules.
Attention to detail for continuity, spacing, timing, and safety in choreography.
Networking and stakeholder management skills to maintain relationships with producers, directors, and clients.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent plus intensive professional training in dance (conservatory, vocational dance program, or equivalent professional performance experience).

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Dance, Performing Arts, Choreography, Theatre Arts, or related field; or a conservatory diploma combined with professional credits.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Dance / Choreography
Performing Arts / Theatre
Music & Movement Studies
Dance Education / Kinesiology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–10+ years professional experience in dance performance and at least 1–3 years staging original choreography in professional contexts.

Preferred:

5+ years as a working choreographer with professional credits in theatre, film, TV, commercials or live concerts.
Demonstrated experience leading full production rehearsals, collaborating with technical departments, and delivering choreography under production constraints.
A strong portfolio (showreel, recorded work, references) showing range across styles and production types.