Dancing is one of the oldest entertainer jobs. Just as humans learned to express ideas and feelings in word and picture, the dance became another way of expressing emotions. The first formal dances were the ritualistic, symbolic dances of early tribal societies: the dance designed to excite the emotions, such as the war dance, the dance purporting to communicate with the gods, such as the rain dance. Dances gradually become a traditional part of the culture. In the United States, the square dance became a part of our folkways. People have learned to dance for self-expression, and dancing has become a popular leisure-time activity. Dancing has also become a popular form of entertainment and, for those who provide the entertainment, a career.
In their entertainment careers, dancers usually dance together as a chorus. As they advance in their profession, dancers may do special numbers with other selected dancers and, when a reputation is attained, the dancer may do solo work. This process holds true regardless of the type of dancing. There are four basic types of dancing and although some dancers become proficient in all four, most dancers attempt to specialize in one specific area. The acrobatic performs a style of dancing characterized by difficult gymnastic feats.The ballet dancer performs artistic dances suggesting a theme or story. The ballet is perhaps one of the most exacting and demanding forms of the dance. Most other types of dancers need some type of ballet training.
The interpretive or modern dancer (sometimes referred to as a classical dancer), like actress jobs, performs dances that interpret moods or characterizations. Facial expression and the body are utilized to express the theme of the dance. The tap dancer performs a style of dancing that is distinguished by rhythm tapped by the feet in time with the music.In all dancing, grace and execution are basic. Some dances require specific traditional movements and precise positions. Others provide for planned movement but permit sufficient variation in execution. The dancer thus is able to include a spin, a dip, a pause, or some other effect that provides a certain amount of individuality and flair to the performance.
Dancing is one of the entertainment employment that permit's the performers to make the most of their physical features and personality. Part of the success of dancers on the ability to utilize their assets in ways that will permit their full expression. Dancers may perform in classical ballet or modern dance, in dance adaptations for musical shows, in folk dances, or in tap and other types of popular dancing production. A few dancers have become choreographers, who create new ballets or dance routines and must know not only dancing and music, but costume, lighting, and dramatics, as well. Others are dance directors and train the dancers in new productions. Many dancers combine teaching with their stage work or are full-time dance instructor in schools of the ballet or in colleges and universities.
There are no formal educational requirements but an early start and years of practice are basic to a successful entertainment careers. The preparation for a professional dancing career is as much a test of one's personal characteristics as it is of one's talent. The aspirant needs, first and foremost, to be enthusiastic about dancing, for the basic desire to achieve success is an ingredient that will help to overcome some of the disappointment and despair that seem to be hurdled normally encountered. The physical demands of daily practice as well as the demands of the dance routine necessitate good health and a strong body. A dancer must also have a feeling for music, a sense of rhythm, and grace and agility. Good feet with normal arches are required. Persistence and sensitivity, as they apply to the day-to-day preparation of the dancer, are also important personal characteristics.
Nevertheless, while in high school, and a good high school education is highly recommended, students should elect courses in speech, music, and dramatics, and engage in extracurricular activities that will enhance their knowledge and skills on entertainment jobs. High-school students may also continue their dance studies during the summer. Likewise, some summer camps feature dance training, and special number classes are available in some large cities.
