Dance
Resume
Presented by SMC Career Services
Photo by Charles Mark-Walker
Where Can
I Find A Job?
Job Search Resources
● LAcasting.com (also known as https://corp.castingnetworks.com/ )
You can submit yourself for jobs directly and/or have your agent submit you.
● Answers4dancers https://www.answers4dancers.com/
Ranks #1 worldwide in 'educating dancers about the biz.' Find career advice and 100s of dance
auditions for every career level.
● Backstage https://www.backstage.com/casting/
Browse the best casting notices and auditions for movies, TV shows, modeling jobs, plays, and
more. Over 5000 postings around the U.S., updated daily!
● Cirque du Soleil https://cirquedusoleil-casting.secure.force.com/ene/
The Casting team hosts auditions around the world for every discipline. You must visit the website
and send your application. If there are no auditions in your area, please submit your application in
the posting that best fits your profile.
Dance
● Danceplug https://www.danceplug.com/auditions
For a fee you can find the latest dance auditions, casting calls and job openings across the world,
including the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia.
● Dance/USA https://www.danceusa.org/
Offers the most comprehensive listing of jobs, auditions, and fellowships in the dance field.
● Stage Door Connections http://www.stagedoorconnections.com/
Find a listing of jobs/auditions
● https://www.mandy.com/
The Mandy Network is the #1 jobs platform for actors, performers, filmmakers.
Many dancers eventually transition into dance-related careers, such as choreographers, directors,
educators, producers, managers, dance and physical therapists, private dance studio owners, and arts
organization marketing and administrative team members.
Dance
Agents
To have access to the higher profile dance gigs—tours, television, film, commercials—you need an
agent. Some facts about agencies that will help you:
Agent Fees:
● Agencies take a standard commission (most commonly 10 percent unless negotiated with
your agent) on every job you book through them.
● An agent may only receive a commission when and if you receive compensation for your
employment. Agents may not charge up-front fees of any kind.
● They may not require you to attend a specific school or use a specific photographer as a condition
of representation.
Dance
Agents
Agency Applications & Auditions:
● Most agency websites will provide information on what they’re looking for and how to submit your
materials—so read it all thoroughly before you reach out.
● Digital submissions are usually answered with “Thank you, please come to our next audition”
● Once you sign with an agent you must stay in close contact. You are expected to be available for
auditions, keep an agent abreast of their schedule and return calls and emails in a timely manner.
● Agency auditions are commonly held a few times per year, usually separated by age, gender, and
dance genre such as jazz, hip hop, or specialty.
● Attend the audition of your strongest dance style, and if you are strong in multiple styles, attend all
to demonstrate your versatility.
● Bring a headshot and resume and wear an outfit that compliments your body, is easily identifiable
(such as “the girl in red stripes”), and is appropriate for the style you will be performing.
Dance
If you can manage to book a job on your own that needs an agent to negotiate the contract, this is a
great way of going in cold to an agency, like you’re walking in bearing gifts since most dancers sign with
their agent with nothing more to offer than potential.
Once you sign with an agent you must stay in close contact. Dancers are expected to be available for
auditions, keep an agent abreast of their schedule and return calls and emails in a timely manner.
Reference check any agency you are thinking about signing with below:
● Association of Talent Agents (ATA) to see a list of registered member agencies:
https://www.agentassociation.com/index.php?submenu=MemberCompanies&src=membership
● SAG-AFTRA website for union-approved agency listings:
○ SAG:
https://www.sagaftra.org/contracts-industry-resources/agents-managers/about-professional-
representatives/sag-franchised
○ Aftra:
https://www.sagaftra.org/contracts-industry-resources/agents-managers/about-professional-
representatives/aftra-franchised
Dance
Agencies
● bloc http://la.blocagency.com/
Is a talent agency representing choreographers, dancers and extreme athletes for feature film,
episodic and commercial television, live stage and theatre performances, industrials, music
videos, and print.
● Clear Talent Group http://cleartalentgroup.com/
Is a talent agency representing dancers, choreographers, and trickers/specialty acts for feature
film, episodic and commercial television, live stage and theatre performances, industrials, music
videos, and print.
● McDonald Selznick Associates (MSA) https://msaagency.com/
Established in 2000 as the first agency dedicated to represent dancers and choreographers
exclusively, MSA became and remains a trend setter in the industry.
● The Movement Talent Agency https://www.movement-agency.com/talent/dancers
Is a SAG/AFTRA and AEA franchised talent agency. The Dance Division represents versatile, well
trained dancers ages 5 to 80 that can be found in every form of media including film, television,
commercials, print.
● Go2Talent (GTA) https://www.gototalentagency.com/
Is a boutique talent agency that represents dance and choreography artists for all mediums of the
entertainment industry
Dance
Resume
General Guidelines
● Do not include every job you have ever had.
● Your dance resume should be a concise summary of all of your relevant dance work
and training.
● Limit your resume to one page.
● Review your resume for spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors.
● List your relevant experience reverse chronologically, starting with the most recent
experience.
● When you submit your resume to employers send it in PDF format.
● At auditions, a dancer will turn in a headshot and resume (stapled back to back) to the
casting directors.
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What is a
Headshot?
A Headshot is a professional photograph of you. It is also the only
physical representation agents see before meeting you, so make sure it is not
only flattering but a truly accurate depiction of what you look like in person.
Invest into getting a great, professional-looking headshot. For dancers, it is
beneficial to have at least one close-up face shot with natural makeup, one
headshot with heavier “glam” makeup, and one full body shot.
Dance
What counts as
Experience?
● School and Community Performances
● Work Experience
○ Full time, part-time or freelance
● Volunteer Experience
○ teaching dance at a local arts center
● Education
○ college education
○ workshops/ master classes
● Organization memberships
Dance
Sample
Resumes
Resume Sections
Heading Information
● Your first and last name.
● Height, weight, hair color, and eye
color.
● Contact information:
○ If you ARE NOT signed to an
agency, you will need to add:
■ Your own telephone number
(preferably a phone with
voicemail set up).
■ Your email (List a professional
sounding email address that
you check regularly)
○ If you ARE signed to an agency:
you will replace your contact
information with that of the agency.
● NEVER add your address or any
other personal information to your
resume.
● ONLY add your date of birth (DOB) if
you are 18 years or younger.
EXPERIENCE
Project Title Role Choreographer Year
Music Videos
Kesha – “Learn to Let Go” Dancer Jillian Meyers 2012
Christina Aguilera – “Come On Over” Dancer Tina Landon 2012
Mandy Moore – “So Real” Dancer Travis Payne 2012
Theatre
Green Day’s American Idiot Dancer Santa Monica College 2012
TRAINING
Style of Dance/Program Teachers/Choreographers/School Year
Jazz Helene Phillips, Melissa Miles, Tony Elliott 2012
Ballet Maxine Hupy, Dasha Tertova 2012
Tap Ryan Lohoff 2012
Hip Hop Miguel Antonio, G Madison, Tovaris Wilson 2012
Contemporary Rudy Abreu, Karen Chuang, Sabrina Phillip 2012
Salsa Gustavo Vargas 2012
Summer Intensive Rockette 2012
AA in Dance Santa Monica College 2012
AWARDS
2017 NUVO Standout Artist
2017 Hollywood Connection ICON National Finalist
2016 24 Seven Dance Convention Non-Stop Dancer Runner Up
Photo by Joseph Gonzalez on Unsplash
First Last Name
First&[email protected]om
000-000-0000
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 180 lbs
Eye: Brown
Hair: Brown
Dance
EXPERIENCE
Project Title Role Choreographer Year
Music Videos
Kesha – “Learn to Let Go” Dancer Jillian Meyers 2012
Christina Aguilera – “Come On Over” Dancer Tina Landon 2012
Mandy Moore – “So Real” Dancer Travis Payne 2012
Theatre
Green Day’s American Idiot Dancer Santa Monica College 2012
TRAINING
Style of Dance/Program Teachers/Choreographers/School Year
Jazz Helene Phillips, Melissa Miles, Tony Elliott 2012
Ballet Maxine Hupy, Dasha Tertova 2012
Tap Ryan Lohoff 2012
Hip Hop Miguel Antonio, G Madison, Tovaris Wilson 2012
Contemporary Rudy Abreu, Karen Chuang, Sabrina Phillip 2012
Salsa Gustavo Vargas 2012
Summer Intensive Rockette 2012
AA in Dance Santa Monica College 2012
AWARDS
2017 NUVO Standout Artist
2017 Hollywood Connection ICON National Finalist
2016 24 Seven Dance Convention Non-Stop Dancer Runner Up
Photo by Joseph Gonzalez on Unsplash
First Last Name
First&[email protected]om
000-000-0000
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 180 lbs
Eye: Brown
Hair: Brown
Dance
Resume Sections
Experience
Your resume will have 4 columns to it
outlining: the title of the project, the role
you played, the company/choreographer
name and the year you participated.
Training
● You can list:
● each style of dance you have
trained in, followed by a dash and
list the teachers/choreographers
● any big programs or intensives
● any classes taken at conventions
“Master Classes.”
● Do not list recitals on your resume
Awards
● List any prestigious awards you have
received related to your field.
Training
Resume Format
& Tracking
Electronic Resumes:
● Please size the PDF at 8.5 x 11 (under 1 megabyte) and ensure all links are clickable.
● Links created in InDesign often do not remain clickable.
● It is recommended to create the hyperlinks on the PDF resume directly using Adobe Acrobat.
Got a call from an employer?
They are interested in learning more about you & your experiences
Keep track of:
● Job descriptions
● Which companies you are applying to
● Which version of your resume you sent
Multiple Resumes:
A different resume tailored to each position
Trello.com is a free online dashboard:
● Keep track of your job search
● Store copies of resumes submitted for each job
Dance
Support @ SMC
Support at SMC
Classroom Support
DANCE 70, DANCE STAGING TECHNIQUE
This course is designed to develop stage production skills for dance performances. Students will learn how to transfer a
dance work from the rehearsal studios to a professional stage, using the elements of staging, lighting, scenery/props, and
make-up for various styles of dance productions. Students will also learn about the process of touring with a production,
site selection and fundamentals of arts management.
Career Services
Phone: 310.434.4337
Email: [email protected]
Webpage: http://smc.edu/careercenter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smccareercenter/
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChad0JT9Mzqip03jTmL8_zg/playlists?view_as=subscriber
Academic Counseling
For information on the program, assistance creating your educational plan, or exploring transfer preparation visit the SMC
Counseling Center:
http://smc.edu/student-support/academic-support/counseling/contact.php
There are different counselors and programs available to serve all needs. Once on the web page, you can make an
appointment or see a counselor on a drop-in basis by clicking on:
● The General Counseling & Transfer Services link or
● The link to any special programs that you are a member of.
Dance
Thank you.
Thank you.
