What does a career as a dancer involve?

I'm thinking about pursuing dance professionally after high school. Can anyone share what a typical day or responsibilities might look like for a dancer? Is it mostly performing, or are rehearsals and teaching part of it too?

A professional dance career definitely involves more than just the performances you might think of initially.

To start with, dancers generally spend a significant portion of their day in physical training. This involves partaking in dance lessons, doing body conditioning exercises like flexibility and strength training, and attending rehearsals. Depending upon the type of dance you're focusing on, you might even have particular practices for mastering specific moves or routines. Rigorous and regular practice is essential to maintain and improve techniques.

Another aspect of the dancer's day can be rehearsal. The amount of time you spend rehearsing can change drastically depending on whether you're preparing for a performance. In the lead up to a shows, dancers often have full-day or even multi-day rehearsals which can be physically demanding. They work with choreographers and directors to perfect routines and make sure that they're flawlessly in sync with the rest of the group.

Many professional dancers also teach dance classes or give private lessons. This might not be daily, but could still be an important part of their week. It’s a good way to supplement income, and can also be a rewarding way to engage with and give back to the dance community.

In addition, a dancer's career also usually involves some administrative tasks, like attending meetings, doing promotion for performances, or collaborating with others on productions. It's also essential to keep in mind the work that goes into auditioning for parts and seeking out performance opportunities.

Your schedule as a dancer will likely be quite variable and could include long or irregular hours. Evenings and weekends are often necessary as those are typical performance times, and time off may occur between production runs rather than over weekends or holidays.

Remember, like any career, being a professional dancer requires a lot of passion and dedication. The physical demands are high and the field is competitive, but many find the creative and expressive nature of the work to be highly rewarding.