Scribd
Upload
15 views2 pages

Essential Traits of a Dancer

Dancers require a combination of physical, mental, and interpersonal skills to perform at a professional level. Physically, dancers must have strength, flexibility, balance, and be able to withstand long rehearsals. Mentally, they need creativity to interpret music and stories through movement, as well as persistence to practice routines until perfect. Interpersonally, dancers must work as a team, taking direction and coordinating with others through communication and trust.

Uploaded by

Jetthru Hoyohoy
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
15 views2 pages

Essential Traits of a Dancer

Dancers require a combination of physical, mental, and interpersonal skills to perform at a professional level. Physically, dancers must have strength, flexibility, balance, and be able to withstand long rehearsals. Mentally, they need creativity to interpret music and stories through movement, as well as persistence to practice routines until perfect. Interpersonally, dancers must work as a team, taking direction and coordinating with others through communication and trust.

Uploaded by

Jetthru Hoyohoy
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

1.

Work»
2. Careers»
3. Jobs in the Arts»
Characteristics of a Dancer
by Anna Windermere; Updated June 29, 2018

Related Articles
 1What Skills Do Choreographers Need?
 2Qualifications for a Choreographer
 3The Important Characteristics of a Choreographer
 4What Qualifications Must a Singer Have?

Being a professional dancer requires the innate talent to interpret and communicate stories and feelings through
the physical form. However, what appears artful and flawless onstage is the result of much more than natural
talent. Dancers also rely on the characteristics of physical stamina and fitness, perseverance, memory retention
and other qualities to showcase enjoyable performances for their audiences.

Physical Strength

Without physical fitness and stamina, dancers cannot successfully perform. Their art requires hours of
workouts to maintain proper weight and fitness, as well as enough energy to physically withstand long hours of
rehearsal. They must also maintain a high degree of physical flexibility for the many types of skilled
movement expected of them. Another necessary physical characteristic for dancers is balance, so that they
remain in symmetrical form, coordinated and staying in rhythm as they dance. Additionally, dancers need to be
conscious of diet and nutrition to keep their physical systems intact.

Creativity

Dancers require creativity, which helps them to express the music and story lines they dance to using unique
body movements. This artistic ability allows dancers to communicate ideas through physical expression, and
come up with new ideas to add to dance routines. A sense of musicality, such as in rhythm, goes along with the
creativity that dancers need to perform well.

Teamwork

Dancers almost always need to work with others, even if they occasionally perform solo. They must be able to

take direction from their choreographer, and the characteristic of teamwork is equally essential for
coordinating their dance routines with other dancers in their company or production group. Being able to
communicate and respond to others' cues on the dance floor is essential for flawless execution of often
complex dance moves. A high degree of trust must also be developed as part of working with a team – for
example, when a dancer performs a dangerous move that requires a partner to catch her or hold her in position.

Persistence

Dancers do not achieve seamless performances without careful and consistent practice – over and over again. It
may take them years before they develop the expertise to perform professionally. They must have the
characteristic of persistence or perseverance to keep rehearsing their moves and routines until they are perfect
– with the ability to learn quickly and retain information. A "can do" attitude is the only one that ensures
dancers succeed at their craft. They can't give up until they achieve the goals of their choreographer or
producer, and then must persist in learning the next step or routine for their next audition.

You might also like