Choreographer

Choreographers design steps, movements and dances, usually with music, for dancers and other artists to perform.

• Typical hours28 to 30 a week

What you'll do

As a choreographer, you could:

• come up with creative ideas and turn them into dance routines
• work with producers, costume designers and musical directors
• choose music, costume styles and props
• audition and teach dancers
• record dance steps using a notation system

If you're self employed or run your own dance company, you'll also:

• promote yourself or your company
• deal with your own tax and money
• hire and manage staff
• apply for funding

Working environment

You could work in a creative studio, in a theatre, at a film studio or at a TV studio.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding, you'll travel often and you may spend nights away from home.

Skills and knowledge you'll need

You'll need:

• knowledge of different dance styles
• persistence and determination
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• leadership skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• the ability to use your initiative
• physical skills like strength, movement, balance and coordination
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

How to become a choreographer

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• working towards this role
• applying directly

University

You'll need a high level of dance training and experience. You could do a foundation degree, degree or postgraduate award to develop your skills.

Relevant subjects include:

• professional dance
• musical theatre
• dance and choreography

These are offered by dance schools and universities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
• to pass an audition

Work

You could start out as a professional dancer and combine this with an assistant choreographer role.

With further training and experience you could work your way up to become a choreographer.

Volunteering

You may find it useful to get work experience with an established choreographer.

You could also develop your skills by volunteering to choreograph amateur dance club performances.

Direct application

You may be able to apply for work if you're an experienced professional dancer or dance teacher.

Career path and progression

You're likely to work freelance on a fixed term contract. You may be able to find full time permanent opportunities with dance companies.

You could set up your own dance school.

With additional training and qualifications, you could teach dance or move into community arts or dance therapy work.

Career tips

When you're starting out it's good to have a mentor, perhaps someone whose work you admire, to guide you and give you advice.

You can find professional choreographers in the UK Directory of Choreographers .

Observing as many different types of dance to increase your knowledge of dance styles is also useful.

Professional and industry bodies

You can join One Dance UK for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Guides for this industry

• Creative & Media: pay, interviews and getting started →

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