Regardless of whether the choreography is for jazz, ballet, modern, or hip hop, all choreographer jobs require at least one form of dance experience. Within the performing arts, there are a variety of high-profile choreographer jobs available in major North American cities such as Los Angeles and New York City. Choreographers are needed for a variety of projects, including live stage performances, music videos, TV commercials, and film. Low-profile choreographer jobs, such as dance instructors for performing arts schools, community dance classes, or workshops, are typically not as location-specific.
Ballet companies, theater companies, and touring musical artists all have choreographer positions available for live stage performances. Choreographers for established ballet companies like the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the New York Theatre Ballet may be required to tour with the company. Ballet choreographer jobs require a dance background in the formal conventions of ballet specifically, as it is a highly technical form of dance. Unless they are located in a central location, such as New York City’s Broadway Theatre District, theatre companies may also require candidates for choreographer jobs to be able to tour with the company.
A person chosen to choreograph a live concert for a music artist may also be the choreographer for the artist’s video. For major artists like Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Prince, Britney Spears, and Tina Turner, choreographer Tina Landon has choreographed both music videos and world tours. Choreographer jobs with a music artist or band may also require the choreographer to sit in on auditions and try outs to assist them in the hiring process for backup dancers.
Many choreographers are famous for their dancing as well as their choreography. Paula Abdul, who choreographed for several musicians, films, and TV commercials; Merce Cunningham, who choreographed for fine art galleries; and Gene Kelly, who choreographed for Broadway productions are just a few of the well-known dancer/choreographers. Due to budget constraints and the desire for the dancers to have complete artistic control, dancers and choreographers are frequently one and the same in small dance collectives and independent troupes.