This is the 14th in a series of blogs that provide information on occupational roles that employers struggle to fill. In this article we take a look at the role of the classical ballet dancer.
There are regional differences in the skills and occupations where employers are experiencing shortages and throughout this series we will endeavour to provide information on where the greatest demand for the occupations and skills exist geographically.
Ballet dancers work closely with choreographers and other dancers in order to portray a character, story or situation through the artistic medium of dance.
Working as a dancer involves:
- Auditioning for a parts in a show or for a job with a dance company
- Learning complex dance movements
- Rehearsing each day in order to prepare for a performance
- Working closely with instructors or other dancers to interpret or modify choreography
- Performing in front of an audience
- Attending promotional events, such as photography sessions, for the production in which they are appearing.
Salaries for ballet dancers
Equity is the trade union for the performing arts and they have negotiated a minimum weekly rate of £440, which most dance companies that receive Arts Council funding have adopted. Money is not usually good for ballet dancers and often they take on work outside of their performances, such as teaching others to make some more money.
Becoming a professional ballet dancer
Training normally starts very early for a career as a ballet dancer. The Council for Dance Education and Training has information of dance colleges and courses.
Another arts-related skills shortage occupation that we have covered in that of the orchestral musician.
