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Dancer - Working conditions

Kaikanikani

Working Conditions

Dancers work in rehearsal rooms, studios and theatres, and may also perform outside.

They travel around the country to perform and may tour internationally.

Dance is physically demanding and although there is a risk of injury, dancers are trained in techniques to avoid this.

Rowan Cann stretches out an arm as part of a warm-up in a dance studio.

Dancers perform warm-up routines to prevent the risk of injury

Photo courtesy of Stephen A'Court

Rowan Cann stands on one leg and performs a dance move in costume on stage.

Rowan Cann performs the role of the silk moth in Cinderella

Photo courtesy of Maarten Holl

Equipment

Equipment dancers may use includes:

performance costumes and props
special shoes for tap-dancing or ballet
stage make-up
comfortable clothes such as tracksuits, leotards and tights during rehearsals
mirrors to check dance technique during rehearsals
ice packs and support braces to prevent injuries
wrist weights for warming up
resistance bands and tubes
ballet barres
sprung wooden floors.

Dancers often work with performance costumes and props

Ballet dancers use special shoes for dancing

Hours

Contemporary dancers usually work irregular hours and mostly work part time.

Full-time ballet dancers generally rehearse from 9am to 5pm, although when they are touring and performing, they may work longer hours.

"I often end up working evenings and weekends. Generally the time I have off is on week days, so it can be quite difficult as far as my social life with non-dancers goes."

Lauren de Boeck - Dancer