How to Succeed as a Dancer Without an Agent
Tips to "Make It" in the Professional Dance World Alone
Sep 25, 2009
To succeed in the world of professional dance, it takes than just talent. Dancers need to do some serious legwork outside the studio, especially if they do not have an agent. Here are some tips to survive without an agent.
Dancers Need to Take Dance Classes
This may be an obvious tip, but even professional dancers (or, especially those who want to become professional dancers) need to keep taking classes. This not only helps dancers to keep their bodies and minds at top performance levels, but it also is a good sign for auditioners. The fact that a dancer is still taking class and keeping up with his or her regimen shows a choreographer that they are willing to put in the extra effort.
Dance classes are also good venues to keep in touch with, or to meet, important people in the industry. Dancers should seek out classes being offered by a choreographer they would like to work with. If this isn't available, they should try to find classes being taught by the assistant of that choreographer, or someone who has trained with that choreographer in the past. By taking these classes, dancers can get a feel for what an audition with that choreographer would be like, giving them a possible edge over other auditionees.
Dancers should make sure that they are projecting a positive image in class, by dressing in a way that highlights their best features. They should show a personal style while adhering to the studio's dress code. Dancers should also reflect a positive work ethic, demeanor, and attentiveness while in class.
Networking for Dancers
Typically, choreographers prefer to work with dancers that they know, and dancers who can handle their style. Getting in the door with a choreographer typically happens in the studio. Again, dancers should make sure they take classes with the choreographers they want to audition for, or at least someone in the choreographer's circle. When taking any class, dancers should introduce themselves to the teachers, fellow classmates, and studio staff. Even if it takes a few times, they will start to remember names and faces.
Dancers trying to make it as professionals may find themselves being offered "small" jobs or gigs. A strong work ethic, even on these smaller projects, can project a dancer's name through the ranks of professional contacts. If a dancer becomes known for being punctual, reliable, a hard worker, and ready for anything, this may set him or her apart from other dancers in a future audition.
Social Networking or Internet Contacts for DancersIf a dancer's name starts being circulated in the industry, he or she needs to make sure there is a "web presence" to back it up. Web presence is anything that would result from someone searching the dancer's name on an internet search engine, such as Google, MSN, Yahoo, or Bing.
Easy ways to project a strong web presence are through Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Twitter, or an online dance community like dance.net or dancemedia.com. Videos, pictures, and information can be posted online to highlight a dancer's strengths and previous experience.
While working to project themselves into the professional side of dance, all dancers should try not to change who they are. Sometimes, dancers without agents to guide them can try anything to make themselves more marketable. If a dancer is not showing their true selves, however, it will not work in the long run. By deciding which personal traits they already have, and highlighting them, dancers can work to build their professional personas more successfully.
Taking classes, networking, and creating a positive web presence will help to open the door for dancers in the professional arena. Of course, success still depends on dance ability; however, these tactics will assist dancers in making personal connections in the industry. As long as dancers work hard at all aspects of their career, they can succeed without an agent.
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