Careers in Dance: Practical and Strategic Guidance From the Field

by Ali Duffy

Overview

Never before has a greater variety of careers been available in dance—and never before has such comprehensive, expert guidance on those burgeoning careers been accessible in one book.

Careers in Dance is a master guide that will help students navigate the expanding opportunities in dance and familiarize current professionals with potential career choices that best align with their pursuits and strengths.

This highly practical text offers a wealth of information on career options in a variety of settings and with a variety of focuses, including commercial ventures, scholarly pursuits, administrative avenues, medical and scientific settings, and interdisciplinary opportunities. Readers are guided in discovering their deepest interests and learning how to translate their unique strengths into rich and fulfilling careers.

In keeping with recent trends in higher education dance programs, Careers in Dance spotlights entrepreneurship and leadership opportunities for dancers, delving into an array of options and offering much-needed advice. The book covers some of the social and cultural influences that affect success in the field, and it explores various career opportunities:

• K-12 and postsecondary dance education
• Dance studios
• Performance, choreography, and production
• Dance research, analytical writing, and journalism
• Dance administration and advocacy
• Dance science, therapy, and medical and somatic practices
• Private competition companies
• Technical theater and related areas

The text also helps readers understand the connections between dance and other disciplines. For example, it details the interdisciplinary opportunities involving technology, technical theater, and media. It also notes the possibilities for continued education in graduate school programs and suggests approaches to acclimating to life as a working professional.

Careers in Dance offers two recurring elements throughout the book:

1. Profiles of, and interviews with, esteemed professional dancers, revealing their real-world experiences and affording insights into different dance careers
2. Reflection prompts that encourage self-reflection and prepare readers to seek career development and career advancement opportunities

This text explores the opportunities dance students and professionals can pursue, helps them pinpoint their areas of interest and strengths, and equips them to create their unique paths to a fulfilling career in dance. In doing so, Careers in Dance provides the advice and strategies dancers need to actualize their own destinies in dance.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781492592723
Publisher:	Human Kinetics Publishers
Publication date:	06/10/2020
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Ali Duffy, PhD, is a President’s Excellence in Teaching professor and associate professor of dance and honors at Texas Tech University. She is the founder and artistic director of Flatlands Dance Theatre, a professional nonprofit dance company in Texas. She holds a PhD from Texas Woman’s University, an MFA from University of North Carolina (UNC) Greensboro, a BA from UNC Charlotte, and a professional certificate in online education from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Dr. Duffy’s writing has been published in Research in Dance Education, Journal of Dance Education, Dance Education in Practice, and Journal of Emerging Dance Scholarship. Dr. Duffy has been invited for scholarly and artistic presentations and residencies at the University of South Florida, Lindenwood University, Colorado Mesa University, Virginia Tech, University of Detroit, UNC Charlotte, UNC Greensboro, Austin Dance Festival, COCO Dance Festival, and Danca Nova Dance Company. She sits on the National Dance Education Organization’s Cultivating Leadership Committee and served on the board of the Dance Critics Association. Prior to her work in academia, Dr. Duffy performed internationally on Holland America cruise ships (RWS Entertainment) and for independent contemporary choreographers on both U.S. coasts. She has also taught and adjudicated for the National Dance Alliance and worked as a dance critic for World Dance Reviews. Her career in dance is endlessly supported by her wonderful family, and she is ever grateful for her brilliant husband, Carlos, and beautiful son, Noah.

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Acknowledgments x

1 Examining the Big Picture 1

Dance as an Economic and Cultural Force in the United States 1

Impact of Dance on the U.S. Economy 3

Dance as a Cultural Force in the United States 5

Expanding Notions of a Career in Dance 7

Education and Training for Careers in Dance 9

Summary 17

2 Dance as an Entrepreneurial Journey 19

An Entrepreneurial Approach to Dance Careers 20

Aligning Strengths With Career Goals 22

Qualities of a Successful Dance Professional 22

Roadblocks and Rerouting 24

Plans B, and C, and D 25

A Mindset of Lifelong Learning and Change 26

Summary 27

3 Teaching Dance in K-12 Schools and Postsecondary Education 29

Planning and Training for a Career in Dance Education 30

Steps to a Career in K-12 Dance Education 34

Steps to a Career in Postsecondary Dance Education 37

Pros and Cons of Different Educational Environments 43

Summary 45

4 Opportunities in the Private Sector: Dance Studios and Schools 47

Types of Studios and Schools 49

Training and Education for Dance Studio Professions 51

Teaching in a Dance Studio 52

Managing a Teaching Career Over a Lifetime 58

Opening a Dance Studio Business 59

Summary 65

5 Nonprofit Dance Companies and Organizations 67

Performing in a Dance Company 69

Artistic Leadership 82

Summary 90

6 Breaking into Commercial Dance 93

Career Options in Commercial or Entertainment-Based Dance 96

Training and Preparation 97

Branding 98

Networking 99

Finding an Agent 100

Joining a Union 101

Audition Tips 103

A Day on the Job 107

Summary 108

7 Dance Journalism and Research 109

Dance Journalism 111

Dance Research 115

Summary 121

8 Dance Administration and Advocacy 125

Careers in Dance Administration 127

Dance Administration Careers in Educational Institutions 127

Administrative Careers in Dance Companies and Nonprofit Organizations 132

Preparing for a Career as a Dance Company Executive Administrator 133

Careers in Dance Advocacy 137

Preparing for a Career Involving Dance Advocacy 138

Summary 139

9 Dance Science, Medicine, Therapies, and Somatic Practices 141

Careers in Dance Science and Medicine 143

Careers in Dance/Movement Therapy 149

Careers in Somatic Practices 150

Preparing for a Career in Somatic Practices 150

Summary 151

10 Competitive Dance and Sports Entertainment 153

Private Dance Competition and Convention Companies 155

High School and Collegiate Competitive Dance 156

Preparing for Careers in Competitive Dance 158

Professional Sports Entertainment Dance Teams 159

Preparing for Careers on Sports Entertainment Dance Teams 159

Summary 160

11 Technical Theater, Media, and Technology 161

Opportunities in Technical Theater 163

Preparing for Careers in Technical Theater 166

Opportunities in Media and Technology 167

Summary 169

12 Interdisciplinary Opportunities 171

Collaboration With Artists 172

Collaboration With Professionals Outside the Arts 174

Preparing for Professional Interdisciplinary Opportunities 175

Summary 177

Conclusion: Now What? First Steps Toward a Dance Career 179

Major Takeaways From This Book 179

Graduate School Possibilities 181

Adjusting to Life as a Working Professional in Dance 181

Summary 183

References 185

Index 194

About the Author 198