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Choreographer: Job description and activities

A choreographer works with dancers to interpret and develop ideas and transform them into the finished performance. This might mean taking overall control of a production, or working under an artistic director in a dance company, or the director of an opera, play or musical. Opportunities also exist to work in films or with pop groups.

Choreographers work in a variety of ways. Some will work freelance, while others are attached to a company. Some choreographers combine the job with writing or teaching, while others will set up their own company.

Almost all choreographers begin their careers as dancers and usually start choreographing while still performing, especially in smaller companies. Choreographers frequently absorb artistic influences from other art forms, such as theatre, the visual arts and architecture.

Details of workshops, competitions and mentoring schemes for new choreographers can be found through Dance UK . Dance UK also manages the National Choreographers' Forum .

A number of dance schools, such as the Laban Centre for Movement and Dance , run courses in which choreography is a core area and several institutions offer undergraduate and postgraduate specialist courses, as well as HNDs and other diplomas. The Council for Dance Education & Training (CDET)  also has details of courses in a wide range of institutions. The Place  has a choreographic centre for both emerging and established choreographers.

For more information see Dancer.

AGCAS

Written by Alexandra Hemingway, University of Surrey

Last updated:

August 2009

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