The thought of having a career in dance can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. The dedication, skill, and tenacity required to succeed are at an all-time high. As teenage dancers begin thinking about life after high school, dancing professionally is often the first path that comes to mind. While performing is a very real and exciting option for those who love the stage, it’s important for young artists to understand that there are many meaningful ways to build a career in dance—on and off the stage.

Dance Careers to Pursue

Choreography

Let’s start with choreography! Creating movement for the stage, film, television—or even social media—is a wonderful career path. If performing isn’t a young person’s favorite thing, often being part of the process is still an exciting space for them to be in. It gives them a voice and perspective, and place to still be completely creative. For someone who wants to be part of the rehearsal room without the pressure of the spotlight, this could be a perfect fit.

Dance Educator

Becoming a dance educator is also an entirely respectable route to take. Dance education is a field that is ever growing and evolving, where a young person wanting to stick with dance could find themself completely enamored with leading a classroom of eager learners. The fulfillment that some find from being on stage can be found for many in teaching. There is nothing quite like the joy of watching your students succeed—and for many, the classroom becomes a powerful space to build a lifelong career.

More Careers in Dance

Let’s move on to some lesser-known careers that keep dance at the heart of the work. Dancers can also find careers in:

• Stage Management
• Lighting Design 
• Company Management
• Creative Direction
• Talent Management
• Costume Design
• Sound Engineering
• Production
• Writing

—the list goes on. There are so many ways to keep your life centered around dance without being the one on stage. And for those who love to do it all, many of these careers can complement a life that also includes performing.

It’s so important that we open the doors of potential for young artists and allow them to find their own lane in dance. Maybe they’ll perform, maybe they’ll explore ten different roles—but whatever path they choose, it’s our job to make sure we equip them with the guidance and information to choose the right path for them. Each path is equally respectable, valuable, and deeply connected to the love of dance that brought them here in the first place.