Arts and stage
Dancer CV: example and template
This example is for dancers at musical theatres, ballet and contemporary dance companies, TV shows, cruise ships and commercial projects, and for dance instructors and ballet school graduates.
The choreographer and the producer want to know which techniques you know, which productions you have danced in, who you have worked with and where they can see your showreel. We show you how to describe this on your CV.
How to write a dancer CV
Professional summary
Write what dance training you have, which techniques you dance and which productions you have experience in: theatre, TV, events, tours. Add singing and acting if you can do them, because in musicals they are a big asset. Put the showreel link in the header.
Dancer with a degree in contemporary dance and experience in independent productions and music videos. I dance contemporary, hip-hop and house and learn choreography quickly. I am looking for work in a dance company or on a concert tour.
Experience: duties and achievements
Describe productions, parts, the number of performances and the choreographers you have worked with. Divide your experience into stage and commercial projects. If you teach dance, list it separately, because many people combine performing with teaching.
Weaker: Dancing in theatre.
Better: Ensemble and solo parts in 7 musicals, more than 400 performances.
Weaker: TV performances.
Better: Performances in TV entertainment shows and dancing in 6 music videos.
Weaker: Covering parts.
Better: Swing, covering several parts in the same production.
Skills worth listing
List dance techniques, singing and acting skills, acrobatics and work with props. In your soft skills show discipline and stamina, because a dancer's work means daily training and rehearsals.
Professional skills
- Dance techniques
- Musical theatre
- Singing
- Acrobatics
- Learning choreography
- Teaching dance
Personal skills
- Discipline
- Stamina
- Teamwork
- Flexibility
- Resilience under stress
Education and workshops
List ballet school, dance studies, workshops with the names of the teachers and instructor courses. In this industry the names of teachers and choreographers are important information.
Dancer CV with no experience
Describe your school, competitions, tournaments, school performances and student projects. Give techniques and awards.
Record a showreel and go to open auditions. A first job often comes from a music video, an event or a backing dance group.
Tailoring your CV to the job offer
A musical theatre looks for jazz technique, singing and acting, a contemporary dance company for improvisation and body work, and a TV production for learning routines quickly and working on camera. Move to the top what the audition is about.
Questions and answers
What should a dancer put on a CV?
Dance training, techniques, productions, parts, choreographers, the number of performances, workshops, extra skills and a showreel link.
Does a dancer need a showreel?
Yes, a short recording shows technique and movement best. Put the link in the CV header.
Can you be a dancer without ballet school?
Yes, especially in contemporary dance, hip-hop and commercial projects. On your CV show workshops, competitions and performances.
Should you put teaching dance on your CV?
Yes, as separate experience. It shows that you can pass technique on to others.