# data[].attributes.headline
Marketing strategy to prolong a dance career in the performing arts

# data[].attributes.subject
Marketing strategy to prolong a dance career in the performing arts

# data[].attributes.body
I am now going to create a good marketing strategy for myself  to enhance a good long career in dance. Making sure I know how to market online , such as creating relevant platforms on social media and offline, making myself known face to face to the relevant people .  Firstly, promoting myself  is a good first step in my marketing strategy . Self-promotion is my first step in attempting to present myself to others in the performing arts industry as a capable , smart and skilled dancer. Self-promotion can be done through face to face scenarios , use of social media , mannerisms and through the way we carry ourselves. Promotion is a good marketing strategy of communication used to inform the target audience i am wanting to attract. It's important to promote myself as it helps me grow professionally and to engage in new work in the dance community. As someone who wants to prolong a successful dance career in the industry , it's important to create a buzz , creating a buzz means getting people excited  and talking. Buzz marketing is a viral marketing technique , this technique is about maximising mouth to mouth. The Buzz strategy gets people talking and sharing information to others , and also creates larger talk on social media platforms as social media is taking over.

Marketing strategies can happen and be successful  online and offline. It's crucial for me as a dancer wanting a prolonged career in dance  to know how to market both off and online. Both ways of marketing are going to enhance my dance career and help marketing myself . Beginning with Online marketing , online marketing means web-based channels to spread a message about myself to potential employers and target markets. For me as a  dancer that attracts potential jobs. Online marketing is the use of technology and social media to market myself as a dancer. Social media allows me as a dancer who is trying to market to engage and connect with potential audiences using the likes of LinkedIn , Facebook and many other apps . With a strong social media strategy and ability to create engaging content to my audience  .Firstly I need to start with social media platforms , such as Instagram and TikTok(younger audience) . They are two of the most used apps currently. 87% of the UK has access and uses the internet and 70% of people who want to market use social media platforms. As a dancer I will use the strategy of content , the content for my platform will be based all around on dance.i need  Keep my  platform up to date and popular. By posting frequently on my platforms therefore my  audience will stay active. 56% of marketers believe that keeping  content fresh and up to date keeps your platforms relevant and popular. The more frequent I am  with your social media , hopefully my  page begins to travel across social media and potentially reach  potential employers , such as choreographers , directors and agents. On social media platforms I need to know what the best elements to post on my  chosen platforms are. Of course it needs to be all relevant to dance , I need to not post anything that doesn't apply to dance. This is because I may lose the correct audience that I am  wanting to attract and gain audiences that are not surrounding dance. Every dance class , workshop and musical I may watch and attend I must post them on my dance platform and tag the people who may be involved in those events. For example when I attend a workshop at the pineapple studio , I will make sure  I video myself  dancing that routine at that studio. I must Post and tag the studio and choreographer I had worked with that day. Therefore by tagging those important names and people on social media I will end on their platforms and similar platforms.

I am now going to be discussing what offline marketing is and what options there are to use to help myself marketing and to prolong my dance career in the performing arts. Offline is marketing strategies that are used offline , no use of the internet. The strategies I'll be discussing are being used face to face and in dance environments. Becoming known and recognised is really important when marketing , for example making myself known to be important and relevant to members in the industry. Attending frequent auditions and workshops making myself known , wearing stand out colours , pushing myself to the front of classes and auditions. Making myself known by frequent appearances  and impressions. It's important that I am remembered by those who can help build my  career. An offline marketing strategy is also how i carry myself as a dancer in the performing arts. This means acting professional when in a professional environment , having good theatre etiquette and being someone who is easy to work with. By me  having these skills and applying those skills when marketing and promoting  is going to enhance my career. Therefore it shows to the employees of the arts that I am a skilled , professional and good person to have in their team. Online and offline are both ways to market yourself well as a dancer , however they are used in different ways and in different locations. Overall, using both strategies  is only going to help my dance career be successful. Networking is a similar approach to what I have been discussing. Networking is an offline marketing skill , where it requires for people to connect face to face. Although this form of networking is considered highly effort-intensive it is still very muchly important. 40% of the world's population does not use any social media platforms.

Here is some ways i am going to use when using  the networking strategy

~ Attend networking events - events where people from the same industry attended connections

~ Research relevant information

~Ask questions

~Be helpful

~make the first move , be confident

As I have previously discussed, having an agent in my  career is really helpful when trying to gain jobs within the performing arts industry. One the other hand having an agent is that they bring me  a lot of promotion that is definitely going to be seen by the relevant people. Agents in the industry all have social media platforms , such as websites and Instagram's. If I am  booked with an agent they will promote me very  well in the industry . This is because they will frequently post  my  headshots , showreels , images from  auditions/classwork/workshops and share my  experiences in other shows. Many important members in the industry follow and look at agents' platforms to look for dancers for upcoming productions. By me having another source of promotion other than myself is a good skill to have.

Of course I know  the use of some marketing is going to cost , I know this is called marketing costs. Marketing costs means expenses that someone or business incurs in order to promote and develop themselves. These expenses include advertising and content creation. Many dancers use a profile website , where it's a site dedicated only to myself  as a dancer , which I will definitely be adding to my marketing strategy . The website will include headshots , showreels and relevant information about myself  as a professional dancer. To create a successful website it may cost me between £100 to £500 depending on how popular and what my goals are for this website. However the marketing costs may increase depending on the routes I may  take.

The way I carry myself  as an individual is very important when wanting to prolong my career in the industry. By me  having a skill named professional etiquette is going to make me very employable. The skill of etiquette is important because it creates professionally , mutually respected and improves communication between others. People who have the skill of etiquette are being respected more , therefore they feel more comfortable in the workplace. For dancers it's important to have theatre and class etiquette throughout a dance career. Making sure in my Class and rehearsal etiquette is being dressed appropriately and prepared , having all the correct footwear that is needed and being alert and engaged in what I am  involved in. Choreographers or other members who may be a part of the team will remember and appreciate  a dancer with good etiquette and easy to work with. Therefore they will suggest myself  to other members of the performing arts industry , who may be looking for a good dancer who is easy to work with. Many dancers visit theatres to expand their knowledge of the trends and relevant performances that are successful in the arts. We must have theatre etiquette , which is knowing how to behave in a theatre environment , for example not texting or using phones , staying silent when asked and avoiding any moment where i could ruin someone's experience in a theatre. It's important that I have   theatre etiquette skills , due to the range of important and successful members of the performing arts industry. What I'm trying to imply is that if im not behaving in the correct manner at west end performance and someone who is near me could be someone who may audition you in the future. Therefore I may attend auditions with that individual casting and they may remember me and not want to employ me for the way I behaved in professional environments. Eventually other people in the industry will hear that I may  not be a good member to work with.

I know that any dancer in the industry needs a headshot , showreel and a CV/portfolio which can be used on a profile website or be sent to by agents to cast for shows or taken with you to face top face auditions. Firstly I need to  have a good headshot , have them done professionally by a professional photographer who is experienced in taking headshots for the performing arts industry. Mt  headshots need to look like myself  in person and updated if i make changes to my appearance. This is an important aspect to keep in mind , if i change my hair colour and attend an audition without my  headshot updated. There is a chance whoever is casting in that audition may not recognise me  or become confused in the audition. Therefore i am  out of a potential job. This aspect is similar to your CV or portfolio. I need to keep all of the information that is displayed on those pages. Unlike a usual CV a dancers CVS will included appearance being listed such as , hair colour, eye colour , height and weight. This is because casting may look for a certain hair colour and height , therefore it's crucial that you list that information and keep it  updated for any changes. Showreels are a very good way of attracting and being employed in the industry , a showreel  is a 2 minute of you dancing in shows and class work or other locations. Don't include long sequences , choose a range of short clips to keep the watcher interested and see more. I need to Try to use recent clips as it shows your current dancing abilities as you have improved from past videos. I don't  need to show everything in my showreel , I need to show my best work as that will represent myself the best to an employer in the performing arts industry. All of these tools can be used on and offline and it will always be useful and needed when pursuing my career and applying for jobs in the arts.

Emerging technology is a term generally used to describe new and popular technology and can also refer to the continuing development of technology. It's important to know the emerging trends as marketers , this is because it changes how I work and interact with others and platforms. It's important that I know new technologies and social media platforms developing in the current day. If marketers such as myself do not keep up with new technologies and other updates , we may lose audience members. This is due to slacking behind and not keeping up to date to what the current audience of my platforms need.

When im marketing its important to remember what my career goal when im marketing as a dancer in the industry. As a dancer I know that if I want a successful prolonged career as a dancer in the performing arts. By keeping my marketing skills correctly and intelligently I am most likely going to hit our career target , because I have used my knowledge of marketing and industry to the best of my abilities. i also need to know what the target i want from my marketing platforms , such as am i meeting  my target audience and how i want my platform to be seen. After I know what my career target is for my marketing platforms , I need to know what my target audience is. An intended audience is people who are most likely to be interested in my platforms. They are the people that fit into the audience I want in my market strategies. It's important to keep my  audience interested in my platforms. I know I can keep them interested by frequent posting of what they are interested in , which is dance. A dancer who is marketing themselves needs to know the aims and objectives when marketing myself. The main aim and objectives I need to know are marketing and promoting myself and  showing that I'm honest , reliable , hardworking , frequent and many other skills that are needed. It's important when marketing i need to  know what development i  want to happen to my platforms , know where i want to develop and why. I need to know where there is space for ideas , areas of potential and improve my knowledge of marketing as it's only going to improve my career as a professional dancer. It's crucial for me  to have self development , it increases my skills and helps me fulfil my aspirations. It's needed to future proof my platforms , future proofing means to ensure   it will survive and remain strong. It's important that I keep my  platforms continuously evolving through technologies and social developments. As dancer  marketing i need to keep a clear plan and a good strategy. There are ways to help yourself future proof your social media accounts and activity.

Here is a few ways i'm going to future proof my platforms:

~Make sure i listen to my  audience

~Give my  audience what they are following me for

~Know the current trends in technology

~ Keep a plan of what i need post daily

The best way for me when marketing and me  as a dancer to have a  long and successful career is to keep the audience that follows me on social media platforms. In making my marketing strategy I need to know what to give to my audience daily and to keep them interested as much as I can possibly achieve. Without an audience my marketing platforms will not grow and develop to where I would want them to be. Audience research is the best way to keep my  audience to interact and stay following my page. Audience research allows me to understand my  followers and makes myself  more effective in marketing as I am  catering to their needs.

Self-promotion- DMI, S.@ (2022) 10 steps to building your personal brand on social media, Digital Marketing Institute. Digital Marketing Institute. Available at: https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/10-steps-to-building-your-personal-brand-on-social-media (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Creating a buzz - Lutkevich, B. and Ehrens, T. (2021) What is buzz marketing? -- definition from whatis.com, SearchCustomerExperience. TechTarget. Available at: https://www.techtarget.com/searchcustomerexperience/definition/buzz-marketing#:~:text=Buzz%20marketing%20is%20a%20 viral,discussions%20on%20social%20media%20 platforms. (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Marketing online - En.wikipedia.org. 2021. Digital marketing - Wikipedia. [online] Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_marketing> [Accessed 8 November 2021].

Evolution, M., 2021. The Role of Offline Media in the Future of Marketing | Marketing Evolution. [online] Marketingevolution.com. Available at: <https://www.marketingevolution.com/knowledge-center/the-role-of-offline-media-in-the-future-of-marketing> [Accessed 8 November 2021].

Social media affect on the industry : article, F. and industry, H., 2021. How social media has transformed the performing arts industry - The UK Newspaper. [online] The UK Newspaper. Available at: <https://www.theuknewspaper.co.uk/how-social-media-has-transformed-the-performing-arts-industry/> [Accessed 8 November 2021].

Ku, D. (2022) The importance of social media marketing in 2022, PostBeyond. PostBeyond. Available at: https://www.postbeyond.com/blog/social-media-marketing-importance/#:~:text=Social%20media%20 allows%20 marketers%20to,marketers%20can%20 engage%20their%20 audience. (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Networking in the industry : Business networking (2022) Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_networking (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Class etiquette :  (owner/editor), N.S. and Nichelle Suzanne (owner/editor)Nichelle Suzanne is a writer specialising in dance and online content. She is also a dance instructor with over 20 years experience teaching in dance studios (2015) Dance teacher solutions, Dance Advantage. Available at: https://www.danceadvantage.net/dance-class-etiquette-rules/ (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Emerging Technology - What is the definition of emerging technology?: Winston & Strawn Legal Glossary (no date) Winston & Strawn. Available at: https://www.winston.com/en/legal-glossary/emerging-technology.html#:~:text=The%20term%20commonly%20refers%20to,significant%20social%20or%20economic%20effects. (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Career goal in marketing : 7 goals in marketing and why they are important | indeed.com (no date). Available at: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/goals-marketing (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Target audience ;  Tamura, Y. (2020) The importance of identifying your target audience, Raven Creative. Available at: https://rvncreative.com/the-importance-of-identifying-target-audience/#:~:text=Identifying%20your%20 audience%20 allows%20your,in%20an%20 efficient%2C%20 affordable%20 manner. (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Aims and objectives : Milano, S. (2017) Marketing Aims & Objectives, Small Business - Chron.com. Chron.com. Available at: https://smallbusiness.chron.com/marketing-aims-objectives-60412.html (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Personal development : https://www.betterup.com/blog/personal-development#:~:text=Personal%20development%20 increases%20your%20self,form%20of%20Inner%20Work%C2%AE.

Audience research : Audience research - digital marketing lesson - DMI (no date) Digital Marketing Institute. Available at: https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/resources/lessons/introduction-to-digital-marketing_audience-research_furn#:~:text=Audience%20research%20 allows%20you%20to,to%20create%20a%20user%20 persona. (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Future proofing - Future-proof - vim group (no date). Available at: https://vim-group.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/8-Tips-to-Future-Proof-Your-Brand.pdf (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

# data[].attributes.headline
The sustainability of a career  in the performing arts industry and strategies to support long-term employability  

# data[].attributes.subject
The sustainability of a career  in the performing arts industry and strategies to support long-term employability  

# data[].attributes.body
The performing arts industry is constantly evolving and changing trends and styles come and go. It's important that us dancers have knowledge and the skills  of the current and past trends. By having knowledge and learning new trends it allows us to stay up to date with the fast pace of the performing arts industry.  Having the skill of staying up to date with the knowledge of the industry will help you with your career in dance. When I first started learning dance Years ago studying dance was learning the basics which was ballet modern and tap and not really much else. We thought they were the only styles and techniques we needed in the performing arts industry as a dancer. Now looking back to when I first started to study dance and what I have learnt now is very different , still having good skills of ballet , modern and tap is still very important to your dance skills. However there is new trends and skills that us dancers developing a career in the industry.

Dance and gymnastic/circus were very much separated years ago dancers would not usually learn how to tumble , flip , silks and aerials. However, having the circus and gymnastics style is a skill that dancers really need in the present time in the industry. Many jobs want dancers to have these skills now in places such as cruise ships and tours. Now this trend is very popular and very much needed in the industry , many dance schools , colleges and classes are now teaching students these skills to help them be successful in the industry. Another trend that us dancers need to apply to our skills is being able to do the style of commercial dancing. Commercial dancing is usually seen recently in music videos. Music videos are very popular as they are on social media . Keeping up with trends and skills that are constantly evolving is very vital , having these skills and knowledge will make you a well rounded dancer. Therefore you will make yourself a more employable dancer then someone who isn't updating their skills and knowledge to the fast pace of the performing arts industry.

Technology has really had an advantage to the dance industry for the best. A range of tools of technology has really helped dancers and choreographers with their craft. Social media platforms such as YouTube and Instagram has really helped the industry. These platforms have helped the reach of dance performances , by posting dancing and performance's video on social media  helps maintain the connection between the audience and dancers. From anywhere in the world from Living Room , kitchen , transport and many more places. As we can access social media for free at any point. Social media allows the audience and dancers to still have that connection without being in a theatre. Other than social media platforms technology can be used in a creative way it dance too , we are able to control the music , video sequences and bringing dancers from all over the world to be able to dance and perform together. Another technology advantage is the ability to gain a job from social media. Technology has changed drastically we have smart devices we can carry around with us anywhere , the use of the internet has evolved that much we can shop , pay bills and find jobs online. A few use back before technology really took over dancers in the industry would have to look and apply with jobs using magazines that was relevant to the industry. In the current time we now have websites and apps for dancers in the industry .It shows that technology has really helped and benefited the dancers in the industry as it shows that it's much easier to access knowledge of what is out there.

Having a good fitness level from the start of a career to the end is crucial. Having a high fitness level will increase the sustainability in your career. As I  have previously discussed, dancing is such a demanding activity to the body , especially when you're doing it for hours on end as a job. What does fitness level mean? A fitness level is where your body's ability to withstand a physical workload and to recover in a timely manner.  The department of health and human services recommend these guidelines for a good fitness level : Get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity , however you can merge both moderate and vigorous.

Legislation is the process of enrolling laws by legislature , parliament or governing body. Us dancers need to know the process of these laws. They may depend on what job role and location we are working in. For example, a dancer may be different from a performing dancer. Here are a few legal issues us dancers need to be aware of and have knowledge of.

LC9 : Data Protection ( Act 2018)

All public and private organisations are legally obliged to protect personal information that they hold about people.

LC1 : Copyright , Designs and Patents (Act 1988)

This act gives the creators of literary , dramatic , artistic and musical work the right to control the ways the product can be used. For example the choreographer may give you permission to use and adapt their work or use it to teach in workshops. Some choreographers may not want this , this law will be known to you when you sign the contract.

It's important for dancers to have part-time work during a show/performance job or when you are still looking for a job in the performing arts industry. It may not be a job that is something you're really interested in or a job that may not be something extremely known. However in this industry getting a job with element's of the performing arts in your career means that you're gaining a huge amount of experience. Having a range of experience on your CV that entails elements of the performing arts is very important when going to an audition. If a casting director is able to see from your CV that you have a range of past jobs in the industry , it shows to them that you have been in a professional environment many times and you're clearly an easy dancer to work with due to the amount of experience you have. By doing little part time work in your career is only going to open yourself up to new knowledge and skills in different environments and scenarios in the performing arts industry.

Being flexible in the industry is very important , not over booking yourself and making sure you're free when needed. When in a job and you're flexible it shows that you're versatile, resilient and responsive to change , which are skills you need in the dancing industry. Being flexible shows that you can adapt to unexpected change , sudden surges in work and urgent and unpredictable events. For example if you were able to gain a job in the industry and they gave you a timetable for rehearsals and they soon after changed it. If you're not able to make those changes, adapt and be flexible with those times and days , you will be out of job for not being flexible.  Being flexible isn't just being flexible about time management, for example if someone in the cast becomes injured , become flexible and take on new roles and learn their part.

Contract lengths as a dancer in the industry , a contract length is a term to describe a period through which a contract is effective. This can also mean the effective start period to the end of the contract , both of which will be outlined within a contract and will be discussed and agreed by both parties. If we use a dancer performing in a west end show to begin with , normally their contract will begin on the start of rehearsals to the end date of the show closing. West End shows could run from a couple of weeks to months. After  interviewing a professional from a known musical that ran longer than planned  , I found out that some musicals decide to renew their stay and run the musicals for a longer period than originally planned. Therefore the organisations will renew and update your contract with a new contract length. Although dancers that go on tour may have a different contract length , normally tours last up to a year and won't be any longer.

Financial and budgeting planning is really vital as an employed dancer in the performing arts. With an agent or not knowing ways and having knowledge of financial and budgeting is a skill that us dancers need. One of the biggest drawbacks of dancers in the industry is not knowing the financial circumstances we will find ourselves in. Having knowledge of planning finances is crucial not only for a day to day basis in a current job , it's also helping us dancers shape a sustainable future for ourselves. First things first is understanding how much you're being paid and making sure you're being paid the correct amount that you and the employer have agreed to. For dancers performing in the west end you can command a weekly rate of £583.38 to £834.49 , however this does depend on the size of the production. The second step is  to understand where your pay is going towards. Assess what your money needs to go towards and not waste money on things you may not need. It's good to know what money you have monthly and plan what money needs to be used where . For example money for transport back and forward to work , sometimes the production may add this to your salary but you still need to make sure you're not spending that transport money.  Lastly it's very important to keep on top of all financial and budgeting planning so you don't get yourself in any money trouble. If you're self-employed but with an agent you still need to sort all your taxes out , at the end of the year know how much tax you owe to the government . However, know your expenses and keep evidence of them. Expenses are an outflow of money that are spent on items and products we need as a business. For example dancers may need to buy shoes and other items dancers need. By keeping all evidence such as receipts  of those expenses, at the end of the year when you claim and share the tax you owe ,  you can claim these expenses against your tax bill. Having an accountant can be a very helpful tool when being successful when gaining jobs in the industry. An accountant will help and guide a performer with their tax returns and other financial statements. They can review statements , help with applications for financing , analyse and study your contracts and finally review your business plans.

Agents are a very good option to have if you're wanting to be successful and gain jobs in the performing arts industry. Not every successful person in the industry has had an agent  , however they are a good tool to have. There are few ways to get an agent. If you are a dancer currently studying at a dance college, many colleges allow final years to take part in a final end of year show , where many high range agents will attend and look for new talent to put on their books. If you're chosen, the agent will approach you to join their agency. Do not settle for any agent that may approach you , they need to suit you as much as you suit them. You need an agent that you can rely on and have the best outcome from. After speaking to a professional , they shared that many performers leave their agencies after realising they do not suit their needs.

If you're looking for a specific type of agent or an agent who has really good successful clients in their book it's good to do your own research. Bailey Hearte shared that there is a website called "StageFavs'' https://www.stagefaves.com/performers/hugh-maynard/

Where its information of upcoming shows or successful performers. The successful performers' profile will be on StageFavs and their agent will be listed , this is a good website to have when looking for an agent. This is because if you know a performer who is successful in the route you want to go down, their agent might be right for you. After doing your research into agents you can always apply for them instead of being scouted. By sending them your showreel , headshots and CVS. Once you have gained an agent , the  role of an agent is to help you find work in the performing arts industry. They should look and search for jobs that will suit you and that you can be successful in , finding open auditions for you to attend or organising face to face private auditions to attend. Once gaining a job through an agent , your agent should discuss salary , contract information such as  contract length , if you're an understudy, are you getting extra pay and other in depth details with the production of the job you gained. Your agent gets paid on the commission of what you get paid , the percentage varies on the commission your agent gets. It can depend on the agent you have and the jobs you gain and earn on that job.

However remember that your agent has many other performers that they need to look for jobs , even though you have an agent who should be looking for jobs for you , you can also look for jobs that may suit you and send that to your agent for them to sort the audition process. There is a website called "Spotlight" https://www.spotlight.com/%2F.

You're able to search and look for upcoming casting in the area that may suit you as a performer in the performing arts industry. Yes this is your agent's job to find your work , on the other hand you're the one who needs frequent jobs and there is  nothing wrong with doing your own research as you know what jobs suit you best.

Fitness level : Hussle (2021) What are the different types of fitness?, The Hustle Blog. Available at: https://www.hussle.com/blog/what-are-the-different-types-of-fitness/ (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Fitness level ; Promoting physical activity (no date) World Health Organization. World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.emro.who.int/health-education/physical-activitiy/promoting-physical-activity/What-is-the-recommended-amount-of-exercise.html (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Legislation changes : People dancing (no date) People Dancing :: Fact sheets and legal compliance information :: Foundation for Community Dance. Available at: https://www.communitydance.org.uk/developing-practice/fact-sheets-and-legal-compliance-information (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Flexibility : Home (no date) MindTools. Available at: https://www.mindtools.com/aheuvl6/how-to-be-flexible-in-the-workplace (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

legal rights : People dancing (no date) People Dancing :: Fact sheets and legal compliance information :: Foundation for Community Dance. Available at: https://www.communitydance.org.uk/developing-practice/fact-sheets-and-legal-compliance-information (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

what are clauses and commitments : ContractSafe (no date) What is a contract clause?, ContractSafe. Available at: https://www.contractsafe.com/glossary/contract-clause (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Financial planning and budgeting as a dancer :  Caitlin M Heflin Follow me on Instagram Like me on Facebook Caitlin (no date) How to budget as a dancer and advocate for better pay: Dance articles, DancePlug. Available at: https://www.danceplug.com/article/how-to-budget-as-a-dancer-and-advocate-for-better-pay (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Accountants : Finding a job | indeed.com - indeed career guide (no date). Available at: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Contract obligations :Contractual obligation (2018) HS Legal Solicitors. Available at: https://hs-legal.co.uk/services/individual-services/civil-litigation/contractual-obligation/#:~:text=Contract%20 obligations%20are%20the%20 duties,in%20connection%20with%20this%20exchange. (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

# data[].attributes.headline
Importance of health , safety and wellbeing within the workplace and own career development  

# data[].attributes.subject
Importance of health , safety and wellbeing within the workplace and own career development  

# data[].attributes.body
As a dancer into the mental health that many dancers can face when and be challenged with throughout their career. Mental health is common all over the world , however members in the performing arts are considerably higher with suffering with mental health. Anxiety within the industry is 10% higher than normal population. four out of 5 will suffer from depression , plan or attempted to commit suicide is  five times higher than the usual population. There are so many key elements why a member in the industry as a dancer may suffer mental health , which can include lack of wages , stability of work, and being overworked. As we know as dancers looking for a career in the industry there are so many talented dancers hungry for jobs. This is another reason why many dancers suffer with mental health. 52% of people in the industry are struggling to find jobs which causes many dancers to leave the industry. 40% of people have to leave work due to mental illness.

As a young dancer entering the industry and going through the audition process  can have an effect on your mental health .The ages of 18-24 had suffered with mental health due trying to struggle to find jobs due to lack of experiences. We had conducted an interview with a professional in the industry named Bailey Hearte who is currently a part of the musical heathers. When being employed and working for a production in the industry and you're struggling with your mental health , make sure you speak to the company manager. The company manager will guide you to extra support or just to have a chat. If you are struggling make sure you take that step to get help as the industry can have an affect on your mental health. Social media is used all over the performing arts industry by dancers , singers and actors etc. People gain so many followers , however  those follower's are not always going to be kind. That is the scary side of social media , people can receive nasty comments and messages from people. This can have a serious effect on your mental health. Well how to deal with hate and nasty comments? You can filter on your social media accounts to who can message you and who can comment on your posts. This can prevent you from receiving hate messages.

Every dancer is dancing In Front of a mirror everyday looking at their own bodies , each others bodies and being judged for the way look in auditions and performances. The stereotypical way a dancer looks in a certain slim weight , which puts a huge amount of pressure as a dancer in the industry. People see that the prime of a female dancers body for dancing is when they are younger , so once a female dancers body starts to change as they get older. this then ends with dancers to stop eating frequently to try and regain that smaller younger body they once had. Men in the industry are more prone to an eating disorder known as binge eating where men will consume too much food on a regular basis. This eating disorder can cause stress and obsessiveness when coming face to face with food. Sadly men are usually meant to be seen as muscular and strong , because this stereotype men binge food so much to make their bodies become muscular and strong. Sadly men who suffer from binge eating will consume too much healthy food to maintain their muscles , there for they eating two thirds of your normal body weight. Extra weight brings health risks including arthritis , heart disease and 2 types of diabetes.

As a dancer pursuing their career in the industry looking after your body and improving your body is vital to keep yourself in the industry longer. Stamina Fitness also known as Endurance is a skill that all dancers will need in the industry , endurance is where your body is able to keep energised and active through long periods of time. As a dancer in the industry you will be faced with long hours of rehearsals and full days of performances , therefore building endurance will make your life easier in hard core active days. They way to build your stamina and to remain it is by hardcore powerful cardio with short breathing moments. By doing this regularly will train your body to be able to dance for longer periods of time and not lose energy or be faced with tiredness. If your are in rehearsals for a show make sure  every time you run a number for the show to the routine full out as it will help your endurance for the show. As you focus on increasing on your stamina levels , bear in mind that its natural to experiences ebbs and flows. Don't expect your body to be at its best all of the time , you still need to listen to your body and what you need for your body. Avoid the point of pushing your body to the level of exhaustion. Stamina is a skill that will be developed over time and won't happen overnight for dancers.  Exercising regularly as dancers obviously is important , exercising for 150 minutes of aerobics per week will only increase strength of your heart and lungs.

As we all know, keeping hydrated throughout the day is important , however as a dancer we are pushing our bodies through a lot of activities. Due to the amount of activity we are facing we need to keep hydrated. Water keeps our body working, it keeps our bodies at a normal temperature, lubricates your joints and protects our spinal cord. Without these key elements of our body receiving water we would not be able to dance. If we are dehydrated our muscles will fatigue and electrolyte deficits , even 2% of fluid loss of total body weight reduces a dancer's ability to regulate heat to the body and face physical demands. Due to greater loss of dehydration can result in strength , concentration and can increase chances of injury. Just like keeping hydrated throughout long days of dancing, nutrition is very important to dancers. We need to keep a balanced diet to ensure our bodies can cope and be strong with the demands of dance. As dancers we need to know the correct food to consume. We need to consume 1.2-1.7g a per day , healthy fats 20%-30% and glucose 50%-60%.

~Protein is an animal based food ,such as meat , poultry , seafood , eggs and dairy foods.

~Healthy fats are known ,such as olives, canola, sunflower , soy and corn.

~Glucose foods are honey , dried fruits such as dates , apricots and many other dried fruits.

Dancers are pushing their bodies through limits everyday in rehearsals , classes and performances. Injuries could happen to anyone however there are ways as dancers we can prevent injuries from happening to us in our careers. 32% to 51% of dancers were injured each year. How do us dancers prevent the chances of getting injured ? Here a few ways to prevent injuries:

~Eating well and staying hydrated before , during and after classes and rehearsals

~Make sure you rest and don't overtrain

~Always the correct footwear and attire

~Make sure you keep training your body to endure tough activity

~Get to know your body know what your limits are

It's important that you know how to look after and manage your body , without that knowledge you could face an injury that can be long lasting and could potentially put a stop to your career.

What happens if you're injured while being employed ?

This is called Injury management , it is a coordinated and managed process consisting of activities and procedures to facilitate a timely and safe return to work. Injury management includes treatment of injury and rehabilitation , it's based on the philosophy that many injured employees can  safely perform productively at work.

A healthy work environment is important to everyone who is involved to maintain a happy work life. A healthy work environment should include fair pay and treatment between employees , a good work balance and dignity in the workplace. An article from a Dancers Magazine ``What does it take to create a healthy working environment for dancers?" It states that by treating your rehearsals and performances , you will convey to dancers that you value your time and energy. It also states how important communication in the workplace is. An open line of communication will ensure that your dancers feel safe to share honestly how they're feeling. Have a conversation establish some held values , how rehearsals run ,how communication will happen-even raise the dancers' concerns.

What are the benefits of a healthy environment ?

~Boost productivity

~improves growth mindset

~Team work

~Good communication

What makes a bad work environment?

A toxic and unhealthy work environment is where it becomes negative , antagonistic or bullying behaviour. This then can result in  stress amongst employees , lack of communication and lack of productivity. Therefore leaving employees not enjoying their job , can result in staff leaving.

In the industry as a dancer you're definitely going to be working in a team for a long period of time , teamwork is so important in dance. Teamwork in dance is about working together to bring the best out of each other , it teaches each other to push ourselves to make us better dancers. If someone makes a mistake a team of dancers  are there to help , dancers should motivate each other in every rehearsal , so when it's time to perform it's at the absolute best. Doing team building activities will increase team work and support within the group. It increases motivation , communication , skills and collaboration.

Having a mentor in the performing arts industry is a good element to have , looking up to someone who has succeeded in the industry who is positive can have a positive effect on your career. A mentor is an influence, guidance or a use of direction. Mentors are there to teach and give good advice to someone in the industry who may not be very experienced, often someone who is younger. In a dance environment having a mentor can also help physically , helping in areas you may be struggling in and how to improve them. A mentor will help you see where your weak spots are and give you very detailed advice and pointers to improve yourself as a dancer.

Management of health and safety Law Act 1974

The act sets out general duties that employers have towards employees and others. These duties are qualified in the act , employers do not have to take measures to avoid or reduce risks if they are impossible or the measures would be dipropionate to the risk. The law requires what good management and common sense would lead employers to do so anyways. The employer must look at the risks and the sensible measures to take to tackle them. The main requirement of the employer is to carry out risk assessments , employers with five or more employees need to record the findings of the risk assessments.

Here are 5 steps to a risk assessment

1- Make arrangements for implementing the health and safety measures.

2-Appoint people to help implement those health and safety arrangements.

3- Set up safety procedures

4-Provide clear training and information to employees

5-Work together to maintain the safety of the workplace

Assessments of first aid needs

Employers are required to carry out an assessment of the first aid needs. This involves consideration of the workplace hazards and risks of the size of the organisation , to then determine what first aid equipment should be provided.

What is Nutrition management ?

Nutrition management is where we need to maintain a good nutritional status to prevent being under nutritional and overweight. It's important to maintain a well-balanced diet with a range of different food types . As dancers , eating healthy is key to keeping our bodies strong and safe to face hours and hours of hardcore activity. Here is a seven step list how to keep your nutrition management correct:

1- serving size , think about how much food you are consuming is it correct amount for you

2-Look at the calorie count of the product your eating

3- Limit certain nutrients that aren't so good for you

4- Increase good nutrients

5- Know your daily values (recommended nutrients)

6- Understand what you need to consume to remain healthy

7- Read the ingredients

Mental health awareness and management

Mental health awareness is the ongoing effort to reduce the stigma around mental illness and mental health issues people around you may be facing. Often there are many misconceptions of mental health and the lack of awareness , which causes many people who suffer to be untreated. As I previously discussed, dancers in the industry suffer from mental health. This is why it's important to understand why we need to raise awareness and how to manage it.

The best ways to raise awareness about mental health

~ To openly talk and discuss mental health

~Educate yourself and others of the warning signs and symptoms of mental health

~Practice kindness and compassion

Us dancers can undergo a lot of stress , pressure and anxiety as the industry we are facing is very difficult and demanding. It's important that we learn ways to manage our mental health , mental health includes our emotional and social well being. Mental health affects how we feel , think and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress , relate to others and make healthy choices.

Here are some ways to help manage mental health:

~ Make sure you connect with people , having strong relationships will help your mental health

~Being physically active , which is good because we are dancers

~ Eating healthy and keeping hydrated

~ Make sure your sleeping for long enough

~set goals and priorities

~Focus on being and bringing positivity in your life

References :

Mental health : the Guardian. 2021. ‘I was literally tearing myself up’: can the performing arts solve its mental health crisis?. [online] Available at: <https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/feb/09/i-was-literally-tearing-myself-up-can-the-performing-arts-solve-its-mental-health-crisis#:~:text=Levels%20of%20moderate%20to%20 severe,as%20like%20to%20 attempt%20it.> [Accessed 8 November 2021].

Mental health and wellbeing : Bapam.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.bapam.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Supporting-Mental-Health-in-the-Performing-Arts-Sector-BAPAM-Guidance.pdf> [Accessed 8 November 2021].

Stamina Fitness: Endurance (2022) Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endurance (Accessed: November 8, 2022).

Stamina Fitness : Kelly, T. (2022) Stamina vs Endurance, Brooks Running. Brooks Running. Available at: https://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/blog/advice-tips/stamina-vs-endurance.html (Accessed: November 8, 2022).

How to build Stamina : Lincoln, A. (2021) 3 ways to improve your performance for Endurance Sports, KYMIRA Sport. KYMIRA Sport. Available at: https://www.kymirasport.com/blogs/news/3-ways-to-improve-your-performance-for-endurance-sports (Accessed: November 8, 2022).

Hydration : Fluid for dancers - one dance UK (no date). Available at: https://www.onedanceuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/DUK-Info-Sheet-15-Fluid-for-dancers.pdf (Accessed: November 8, 2022).

Why is water good for you : Water and healthier drinks (2022) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/water-and-healthier-drinks.html#:~:text=Water%20 helps%20your%20 body%3A,%2C%20 perspiration%2C%20and%20 bowel%20 movements. (Accessed: November 8, 2022).

A balanced diet amounts : British Heart Foundation (2018) Protein: What you need to know, BHF. British Heart Foundation. Available at: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/nutrition/protein#:~:text=How%20much%20 protein%20do%20I,the%20palm%20of%20your%20hand. (Accessed: November 8, 2022).

Fats and cholesterol (2019) The Nutrition Source. Available at: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fats-and-cholesterol/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CGood%E2%80%9D%20unsaturated%20fats%20%E2%80%94%20Monounsaturated,nuts%2C%20seeds%2C%20and%20fish. (Accessed: November 8, 2022).

What is glucose? (2021) Food Insight. Available at: https://foodinsight.org/what-is-glucose/#:~:text=Glucose%20 monosaccharides%20(not%20as%20part,%2C%20 cranberries%2C%20 prunes%20and%20 figs. (Accessed: November 8, 2022).

How to prevent injuries : Common dance injuries and prevention tips (2022) Common Dance Injuries and Prevention Tips | Johns Hopkins Medicine. Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/sports-injuries/common-dance-injuries-and-prevention-tips#:~:text=Get%20 enough%20test%20and%20 avoid,up%20before%20training%20 or%20 performances. (Accessed: November 8, 2022).

How many dancers get injured: (no date) Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports physical therapy. Available at: https://www.jospt.org/doi/pdf/10.2519/jospt.2008.2390#:~:text=in%20the%20 foot%2 Ankle%2C%2021.6,per%201000%20hours%20of%20dance. (Accessed: November 8, 2022).

Injury Management : What is injury management (no date) Welcome to BCCSA - BC Construction Safety BC Construction Safety Alliance. Available at: https://www.bccsa.ca/What-is-Injury-Management.html#:~:text=Injury%20management%20is%20based%20on,a%20vital%20part%20of%20 recovery. (Accessed: November 8, 2022).

Healthy working environment : Rizzuto, R. (2022) What does it take to create a healthy working environment for dancers?, Dance Magazine. Available at: https://www.dancemagazine.com/healthy-work-environment/ (Accessed: November 8, 2022).

Healthy work environment : Releasenotes (no date) Microsoft. Available at: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=57072 (Accessed: November

8, 2022).

Benefits of a healthy environment : What is a positive working environment? (with benefits) (no date). Available at: https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/positive-working-environment (Accessed: November 8, 2022).

Team Building : Teambuilding.com (2022) Team building dance: How to guide, teambuilding.com. Available at: https://teambuilding.com/blog/team-building-dance#:~:text=Team%20building%20 dances%20are%20 exercises,direction%2C%20and%20reacting%20to%20change. (Accessed: November 8, 2022).

Mentor in dance : Why you need a dance mentor (no date) Just For Kix. Available at: https://www.justforkix.com/dance-talk/coaches/why-you-need-a-dance-mentor (Accessed: November 8, 2022).

Legislation / risk assessment : Publications (no date) HSE Publications - free leaflets to download. Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ (Accessed: November 8, 2022).

First Aid : Legislation (no date) Legislation - First aid at work. Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/legislation.htm (Accessed: November 8, 2022).

Nutritional management : Nutritional management (no date) The Diagnosis and Management of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Available at: https://www.dmd-guide.org/gastrointestinal-management/nutritional-management/ (Accessed: November 8, 2022).

Mental health awareness : Mental health awareness: The importance of conversation (no date) BetterUp. Available at: https://www.betterup.com/blog/mental-health-awareness (Accessed: November 8, 2022).

Mental health management : About mental health (2021) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm

(Accessed: November 8, 2022).

Ways to manage mental health : Caring for your mental health (no date) National Institute of Mental Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Available at: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health (Accessed: November 8, 2022).

# data[].attributes.headline
Skills that a dancer will need to be successful in the performing arts industry 

# data[].attributes.subject
Skills that a dancer will need to be successful in the performing arts industry 

# data[].attributes.body
Dancers who want to achieve a successful career it's important to have relevant skills that will get your a career in the performing arts industry. Here is a table I have created to show the skills that I have and need when entering  the industry. This is a table of basic skills that is a good foundation for all dancers and needs when entering the dance career. The second table presented is technical skills that us dancers need when going into the industry which is a must. Such as ballet , Tap and jazz. I personally feel that keeping a track and developing your skills throughout your journey is very important , this is because you're able to see the process and improvement of the skills you have.

As a dancer it's very important to understand and set yourself some development needs to improve yourself as a dancer and achieve. Here I have listed some development needs that I will use when pursuing myself into the industry and just to improve my skills.

~Goal Setting

~Communication

~ Teamwork

~Physical growth

~ Organisation

By using and practising these development needs as an individual you're able to improve your skills to make yourself ready for when you're working these skills will need to be used. For example, using development needs , I know when there might be something I want to be able to achieve and develop. I will set myself a goal and an end date to achieve my goal. By using that development need it  makes me determined as a dancer to reach this goal and improve myself.

Time management as a dancer when entering the performing arts industry is vital. Time management is using your time intelligently , therefore it uses your time effectively. The benefit of having good time management skills  is that you will face less stress  and have more opportunity to achieve things you want to do. As a dancer pursuing a career in the performing dance industry you need to know where to use your time wisely.

1.  Commit to attending workshops and dance class , it allows you to keep improving and practising your dance skills.

2. To understand when to rest and how to look after your body. As a dancer your using your body constantly it's important to look after yourself

3. Setting yourself aims , giving yourself an end date to achieve your goal

4. Make sure you're planning and noting upcoming events , planning week by week you're able to have a clear understanding of what you're doing every week. Make sure you're not overbooking yourself for auditions for example and know dates that are important to you.

Being clever with your money when coming into the industry is very important , you're not always going to have someone who is in charge of your finances . This is why you need to be able to have financial skills and understand how to use your finances. Financial management is where someone is able to have good organisation skills with money and expenses.

1. Spending money  correctly is important , not over spending and miss spending is important. Money may need to be saved for travelling back and forwards  for auditions/rehearsals. Paying attention to details on where to spend your money correctly.

2. Saving money , there may be moments when you're not  working in the industry which means money isn't coming in. As a dancer make sure you have saved money to enable you to keep  your living environment stable.

3. Not knowing your budget , dancers need to be able to know your expenses and compare that to your total income. Make sure you're not getting yourself into debt by not knowing your expenses.

Having self-promotion skills and technology skills in the current industry is vital. Promoting yourself as a dancer allows you to grow professionally , meet new potential employers etc. choreographers and directors. Skills that can be used when self promoting is carrying yourself correctly and standing out  in audition's and previous jobs will have you recognised by upcoming employers. Then as a dancer in the performing arts industry it will become word to mouth of your progression and success in the industry. In the current industry the use of technology is powerful , it's used to scout new talent , being inspired by choreography and many other uses. As a dancer having a career in the industry you need to  have good knowledge of social media as this is the best way to promote yourself. For example creating a dancers profile website to show everything about you such as past jobs , skills and showreels. Instagram is a powerful way to promote yourself by posting  videos and pictures of your work and tagging and following the relevant people to your page is a way to promote yourself to the correct people.

The performing arts industry is constantly evolving and new talented people are entering the industry looking for jobs. It's important to keep your skills that you already have and make sure that they are strong and constantly worked on throughout your career. However it's important to keep working on your skills and introducing new skills to keep a float in the industry. Keeping up and learning new skills makes you a very flexible, well rounded dancer. By consistently educating yourself and being open to try new things , you will find out you are capable of learning new skills. Therefore having and developing new skills opens your career up to many more opportunities.

Self Employed Dancer  |   Employed Dancer

A self employed dancer is very much popular amongst dancers , which is called a “Freelance dancer”. Where dancers are their own bosses. They choose what work they want and  the hours they want. They decide for themselves.

Unlike Freelance dancers an employed dancer is under management . This means you still follow rules and expectations from your employer. You're unable to choose what hours and pay you receive at your place of work.

A Freelance dancer normally only has short term contracts. This is because they are able to work many different jobs and new places . They aren't grounded by one job. They can have as many holidays and time off their schedules.

Typical employers are performing arts companies , clubs , cabarets and cruise ships. Others include the west end , which are productions and tours.

Being freelance you are the one who is responsible. Your incharge of time management , schedule and negotiating fees or pay. Many Freelance dancers have more than one job at a time , so being organised is very important.

When being an employed dancer , you need to be able to have a clear schedule and be able to attend your job all the time . Having full commitment. You can't pick and choose when you need to attend your occupation , like a freelance dancer.

What is PAYE?

PAYE stands for pay as you earn. It is HMRC's system to collect income tax , which helps pay for services such as education and healthcare. Also National Insurance , which will help with paying for some benefits and pension from employees. Where a person is employed , the employer will deduct income tax from the employees wages and pay it to the HMRC. A tax code is used by the employer to add up the amount of tax to deduct. Under the pay as you earn system is an employee's personal allowance , which means the amount you can earn before being taxed. Which is £12,570 in 2022/2023. Again HMRC uses a tax code to tell the employer what tax free earnings an employer what tax free earnings an employee is entitled to in a pay period. The more a person earns , the higher tax that person will pay. PAYE spreads an employee's income tax bill over the tax year , which starts on the 6th of April of one year and on the 5th of April in the next year. It is important to understand that PAYE is not the exact measurement of an employee's tax liability.  National insurance under the PAYE system

If you employ someone , as well collecting and sending the right amount of tax to HMRC. National Insurance is a fundamental component of the welfare of the UK , it acts as a form of social security. Since payment of NI contributions  establishes entitlement to certain benefits for workers and families. When you turn 16 you receive code made up from letters and numbers and it will not change.

Keeping financial records and documents are keeping things such as cash receipts , till rolls , sales invoices , bank statements and pay-in slips. It's important to keep these documents because you need good records to prepare accurate financial statements. These include profit and loss statements and balance sheets. These records can help you when dealing with your bank or creditors.

Contracts are used everywhere in every business , we have contracts to give you and employer certain rights and obligations. The most common reason why we have a contract is to prove we get paid for the work we do. Your employer has the right to give you reasonable instructions for you to be able to do your job. These rights and obligations are called contractual terms. The rights that you have under your contract of employment are in addition to the rights you have under the law. For example the right to have holiday pay. Generally you and the employer or you agent (which I will be discussing later on) will agree to what terms you want in your contract. However you can't agree to a contractual term which gives you fewer rights than you have under law.

Clauses and commitments in a contract

Clauses in a contract are the written effective and enforceable business contracts , you need to include a number of contract clauses. These clauses include indemnification , force majeure , copyright , termination , warranties , disclaimers and privacy. Clauses are important because they are designed to clearly define the privileges , rights and duties that all parties have in their contracts. Commitments in a contract is a promise that as an employee to do something or act in a particular way. A commitment can refer to a contract or obligation to undertake something , normally regarding financial or moral responsibility.

Dancers who are successful in the industry are always going to become face to face with a contract in their career. It's important that us dancers have a clear and basic understanding of the legal terms you will face. Having the knowledge of contracts with or without an agent you go through a career having knowledge which will have a positive effect on your dancing journey in the performing arts industry.

Firstly starting with credit:  This is a clause is about how your name , bibliography and headshot is displayed in a program , videos and other marketing materials. This is because this information is displayed and makes its way to the internet. As a dancer, have you or your agent approve of what is being published before it makes its way around social media. In Case something can be incorrect.

Non-compete clauses : This means as a dancer you're prohibited from engaging in certain activities for a certain period of time. For example the clauses in your contract states that you may not be able to dance for another dance company or production. Also prohibit reusing choreography from the production you have recently been in. If you or your agent see a non-compete clause in your contract that you're not comfortable with. Speaking to someone who is very knowledgeable  in contracts speaks to them to understand the clauses before signing it and what could be the consequences.

Copyright ownership : Most dancers with a contract will state who owns the copyrights to the choreographer or the production as a whole. The owner has the rights to perform and teach the choreography for example. Dance contracts often assume that the choreographer of the production will own the relevant copyrights. If you expect to make significant creative contributions , it might be time to advocate for rights of your own.

Representations and warranties: A common representations and warranties is that you have the ability to perform the services outlined in your contract. For example , if you sign a contract to be an acro-dancer , you are now guaranteed that you have the skills to do so and you don't currently have any injuries that can keep you from doing what your contract states. If you are choreographing you might see a rep and warranties that all of the material you provide will be wholly original to you.

Indemnification : This clause is basically an agreement to cover the costs if you breach the contract and cause your employer to incur additional expenses. This may mean that if you don't show up for performances , you have to reimburse your employer for the costs of hiring and teaching someone else your part. Unless there is an understudy. From the interview we conducted with Bailey Hearte , she informed us that if you are an understudy that will have to be stated in your contract.

Job interviews for dancers

Job interviews for dancers is a very different process than an office job for example. Auditions / open auditions is where any dancer can go to the audition and try to succeed in gaining a job. If you have an agent , your agent will book you to go to that audition if it will suit your skills. An audition can be a range of challenges , such as learning future choreography for the production , a technique class and freestyle dancing. Open auditions are normally the most packed and busiest out of all the roots of gaining a dancing job as anyone from the dancing background can attend. On the other hand there is something called a closed audition , where it is not opened up to the public to attend. This means that your agent for example has spoken to the producers or other people in the production to arrange a private audition. However it may be that you have been seen in a recent performance and an upcoming production is suited to you, the producer may approach you for an audition. In the industry there is a lot of word and mouth between employers , choreographers and producers. If you're known in the industry for being hard working and polite. recent production members you have worked with know other people in the industry. As you're an easy dancer to work with they will likely refer you to other members in the industry for new jobs.

job interview tools

Us dancers need a range of tools when hoping to successfully gain a job in the performing arts industry. Some of the tools that are needed are CV's , portfolio , show reels and a headshot. These tools provide important information that your employer needs to know , for example with headshots must be updated every so often. If you change your hair colour for example and you don't update your headshot to match that new look an employer may not recognise you in an audition that can impact your chances of gaining a job. This goes the same for CV's and portfolios if you have gained more experiences and jobs and your not adding that information on the correct job tools again you may off lost a job. As they may have been looking for certain dancers with certain job experiences , and you have that skills and your not making it known you may be at a loss. Showreels and an online profiles are very popular in the current industry , as the use of the internet us dancers are able to use the internet as a benefit to hopefully gain jobs. An online profile is website where future employers are able to look at your experiences , headshots , information and showreels online then to contact you for an audition. The online profiles are made to showcase you for the best and attract the correct people. It's important to keep your showreel updated as well as a headshot. For example , in the industry us dancers learn and adapt new skills and it's important to keep your showreels updated with your best skills. A show reel is a two minute video of your best styles and tricks in a video.

The diversity within the industry is a huge problem and doesn't seem to be improving as we progress the industry.  Firstly I'm going to discuss the pay gap between men and women in the performing arts community , in the industry men are paid 2.2% more than females are. Gender equality and diversity in European theatres found out that four women are mentioned in a theatre program for every six men in dominant roles. Women have been found to have less secure contracts than men do. On stage 43% of characters on stage were female , compared to men it's 57%. Women's rights have been worse since the pandemic and the industry is not being addressed. Women feel that they are not being taken seriously in the industry and woman aren't being given roles in the performing industry with power and responsibility. Another diversity issue in the performing arts industry is known as  BAME. BAME stands for black , Asian and minority ethnics. Its been found that members of the performing arts industry who are a different race struggle to gain a job. Its overwhelming how many white middle class performers over power the performing arts industry. BAME is created to make the arts a more diverse workplace. From 2016 it has been stated that 17% of the industry are members of BAME , therefore it shows that the rest of the percentage are performers from a white background. In 2016 where BAME was created there has been improvement , however only by 13.3%. The percentage shows that diversity between races in the arts community is still a massive issue.

Development needs : 10 key areas of development for employees (with examples) (no date). Available at: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/key-areas-of-development-for-employees (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Time management as a dancer : A dancer's guide to time management (2022) Pointe Magazine. Available at: https://pointemagazine.com/dancers-guide-to-time-management/ (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Financial management as a dancer : Stahl, J. (2021) Dancers, are you making any of these 8 common money mistakes?, Dance Magazine. Available at: https://www.dancemagazine.com/financial-advice-artists/ (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

PAYE : How the pay as you earn system works – an employer's perspective (2022) Low Incomes Tax Reform Group. Available at: https://www.litrg.org.uk/tax-guides/taking-employee/how-pay-you-earn-system-works-employers-perspective (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

National Insurance : Service, G.D. (2014) National Insurance: Introduction, GOV.UK. GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Clauses and commitments : I just created a commitment contract. Now what? – help centre (no date). Available at: https://stickk.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360033122254-I-just-created-a-Commitment-Contract-Now-what- (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Clauses : Jotform (no date) What is a clause in a contract?, The Jotform Blog. Available at: https://www.jotform.com/blog/what-is-a-clause-in-a-contract/ (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Contract as dancer/legal terms : Kimberly M. Maynard, E. (2017) All the legal terms you need to know before you sign a dance contract, Dance Magazine. Available at: https://www.dancemagazine.com/dance-contract/ (Accessed: November 30, 2022).

Diversity : the Guardian. 2021. UK report reveals 'disgraceful' gender inequality in the arts. [online] Available at: <https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/jan/13/uk-report-reveals-disgraceful-gender-inequality-in-the-arts> [Accessed 8 November 2021].

BAME : Ahrc.ukri.org. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://ahrc.ukri.org/documents/projects-programmes-and-initiatives/where-am-i-bame-role-models-and-leaders-in-performing-arts/> [Accessed 8 November 2021].