How to Write a Resume for a Choreographer

As a choreographer, your resume needs to communicate far more than your ability to create movement. It must demonstrate artistic vision, leadership, teaching ability, project management, and a track record of successful productions or performances. Because the dance and performing arts world is highly competitive and often network-driven, a well-structured, tailored resume can significantly improve your chances of landing auditions, contracts, teaching positions, and creative commissions.

This guide will walk you through how to write a choreographer resume that showcases your artistic identity and professional reliability, while aligning with what directors, producers, studios, and arts organizations are looking for.

Key Skills for a Choreographer Resume

Your skills section should clearly highlight both your artistic strengths and your professional competencies. Focus on skills that match the kind of choreography work you want—concert dance, commercial, theater, film/TV, music videos, competitive dance, or studio instruction.

Technical and Artistic Skills

• Choreography for stage, film, and/or television
• Movement composition and phrase development
• Musicality and rhythm interpretation
• Multi-style expertise (e.g., ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, tap, ballroom, Latin, cultural/folk forms)
• Storytelling through movement and staging
• Blocking and spatial design
• Partnering and lifts
• Improvisation and movement research
• Rehearsal direction and staging
• Notating choreography (Labanotation, video documentation, written notes)

Teaching and Leadership Skills

• Class and workshop instruction (children, teens, adults, professionals)
• Curriculum development and syllabus design
• Coaching performers and ensembles
• Casting and audition direction
• Rehearsal scheduling and time management
• Mentoring emerging dancers and assistants

Professional and Interpersonal Skills

• Collaboration with directors, producers, and creative teams
• Communication with cast, crew, and stakeholders
• Project and production management
• Budget awareness and resource management
• Working with music directors, composers, and musicians
• Adaptability to different spaces, casts, and time constraints
• Safety awareness and injury prevention
• Basic video editing and rehearsal documentation
• Grant writing or proposal support (for independent choreographers)

Formatting Tips for a Choreographer Resume

Choreographers often work in both artistic and educational settings, so your resume should be clean, easy to scan, and adaptable to different opportunities (company positions, freelance gigs, residencies, teaching roles).

Overall Layout and Length

• Keep it to 1–2 pages, depending on your experience level. Early-career choreographers should aim for 1 page; more established professionals can go to 2 pages if necessary.
• Use a simple, professional font (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Garamond) at 10–12 pt size.
• Maintain consistent formatting for headings, dates, and locations.
• Use clear section headers and bullet points for readability.

Header

• Your full name (larger font, bold).
• Professional title: “Choreographer,” optionally with a niche (e.g., “Choreographer & Contemporary Dance Educator”).
• Location (city, state/country), phone number, professional email.
• Portfolio links: website, Vimeo/YouTube channel, Instagram (if professional), and/or LinkedIn.

Professional Summary

Use 2–4 concise sentences to summarize your style, experience level, and target work. Tailor this to the role or audition notice.

Example: “Contemporary choreographer with 7+ years of experience creating original works for regional theater, university dance programs, and independent companies. Known for narrative-driven movement, strong musicality, and collaborative process with directors and performers. Experienced in directing rehearsals, teaching masterclasses, and adapting choreography for diverse skill levels.”

Experience Section

• Organize by relevance: “Choreography Experience,” “Teaching & Rehearsal Direction,” “Performance Experience” (if relevant), and “Additional Experience.”
• List roles in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
• For each entry, include:
  • Role (Choreographer, Assistant Choreographer, Movement Director, etc.)
  • Production or project title
  • Organization/Company/Studio
  • Location
  • Dates (month/year or year range)
  • 2–5 bullet points with achievements and responsibilities.

Education and Training

• List degrees (BFA, BA, MFA, etc.) with institution, major, and graduation year.
• Include conservatory programs, intensive training, and notable workshops.
• Mention renowned choreographers, companies, or teachers you’ve trained with if they add credibility.

Showcasing Productions and Credits

For choreographers, your “credits” are as important as job titles. This section should highlight the breadth and impact of your choreographic work.

Creating a “Selected Choreography” or “Choreographic Credits” Section

• Use a dedicated section titled “Selected Choreography,” “Choreographic Credits,” or “Major Works.”
• List your most relevant and impressive pieces, not every project you’ve ever done.
• Include:
  • Title of the work or production
  • Role (Choreographer, Co-Choreographer, Movement Director)
  • Company/Production/Presenter
  • Venue and location
  • Year

Example entry:

Lead Choreographer, “Into the Woods” – City Theatre Company, Mainstage, Chicago, IL (2023)

Highlighting Achievements Within Credits

• Under key credits, add 1–2 bullet points with concrete outcomes:
  • “Created original choreography for 18 musical numbers for a cast of 25.”
  • “Production received 3 regional theater awards, including Best Choreography nomination.”
  • “Adapted choreography for mixed-level cast, improving overall performance quality and confidence.”
• Emphasize:
  • Premieres (world, regional, company)
  • Festival selections
  • Tours and repeat bookings
  • Critical reviews or press mentions (briefly referenced)

Including Performance Experience (When Relevant)

If you are early in your choreographic career, performance credits can support your credibility and show stylistic background.

• Create a separate “Performance Credits” section.
• List companies, productions, and notable choreographers you have performed for.
• Keep it concise and emphasize experiences that align with your choreographic style or target roles.

Demonstrating Teaching and Studio Experience

Many choreographers also teach or direct programs at studios, universities, or community organizations. For many employers, your ability to train and manage dancers is as important as your artistic vision.

Structuring a “Teaching & Rehearsal Direction” Section

• Include roles such as:
  • Dance Instructor
  • Rehearsal Director
  • Artistic Director (for youth or studio companies)
  • Guest Artist / Guest Choreographer
  • Workshop Leader or Masterclass Instructor
• For each role, note:
  • Institution or studio name
  • Location
  • Dates
  • Styles taught and levels (beginner, advanced, pre-professional)

Quantifying Impact in Teaching Roles

• Use metrics and outcomes where possible:
  • “Taught 10+ weekly classes in contemporary and jazz to 120+ students ages 10–18.”
  • “Choreographed competition pieces that received multiple high-score and choreography awards at regional competitions.”
  • “Developed progressive curriculum that improved student retention by 20% over two seasons.”
  • “Prepared students for auditions at performing arts high schools and college dance programs; 8 students accepted to top-tier programs.”
• Highlight leadership:
  • “Directed pre-professional youth company of 18 dancers, coordinating rehearsals, casting, and performance schedules.”
  • “Collaborated with music, costume, and lighting departments to create cohesive performances.”

Including Educational and Community Outreach

• Mention school residencies, community programs, and outreach projects.
• Show your ability to work with diverse populations and age groups.
• Note grants or funding you helped secure for educational projects.

Tailoring Your Choreographer Resume to Specific Opportunities

Different employers and projects value different aspects of your background. A resume for a Broadway-style musical will look different from one for a contemporary dance residency or a commercial music video gig.

Analyze the Job or Project Description

• Look for key phrases: style (e.g., “jazz funk,” “classical ballet,” “site-specific contemporary”), setting (theater, film, studio), and responsibilities (teaching, casting, directing rehearsals).
• Identify 3–5 core needs and ensure your summary, skills, and experience directly address them.

Adjust Your Sections and Emphasis

• For theater/musical roles:
  • Emphasize credits in musical theater, storytelling, and collaborating with directors and music directors.
  • Highlight experience staging large ensembles and working with actors who are not primarily dancers.
• For contemporary/experimental dance:
  • Highlight original works, residencies, festivals, and collaborations with composers or visual artists.
  • Showcase research-based or improvisational processes.
• For studio and competition work:
  • Emphasize teaching, competition choreography, student achievements, and retention or growth metrics.
  • Highlight versatility across multiple styles and age groups.
• For film/TV/commercial:
  • Point to on-camera choreography, music videos, or experience adapting movement for framing and editing.
  • Mention comfort with tight timelines and working on set.

Use Targeted Language

• Mirror relevant keywords from the posting in your skills and experience bullets (authentically).
• Adjust your professional title and summary to match the opportunity, such as “Choreographer & Movement Director for Film” or “Choreographer & Dance Educator.”

Common Mistakes in Choreographer Resumes (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Listing Every Single Credit

• Problem: Overly long lists of minor or outdated credits make your resume hard to read.
• Solution: Curate a “Selected Choreography” list with your most relevant and impressive work. Keep older or less relevant credits brief or omit them.

2. Vague Descriptions of Responsibilities

• Problem: Bullets like “Choreographed routines” or “Taught classes” do not differentiate you.
• Solution: Add specifics and outcomes: number of dancers, styles, levels, awards, reviews, or audience size.

3. Neglecting Teaching or Leadership Experience

• Problem: Many choreographers underplay their teaching, rehearsal direction, or administrative work.
• Solution: Create a dedicated section for teaching and leadership. Directors and studios value reliability, organization, and the ability to manage people.

4. Unclear Artistic Identity

• Problem: A resume that lists every style and type of work without focus can confuse potential collaborators.
• Solution: Use your summary and credit selection to communicate your primary style and strengths, while still showing versatility where relevant.

5. Missing Links to Your Work

• Problem: Without video or portfolio links, it is harder for decision-makers to visualize your choreography.
• Solution: Include a professional website or curated video links in your header. Label them clearly (e.g., “Choreography Reel,” “Selected Works”). Ensure videos are high-quality and well-labeled.

6. Inconsistent or Unprofessional Formatting

• Problem: Inconsistent fonts, messy spacing, or hard-to-read layouts can make your resume look less professional.
• Solution: Use a clean, consistent template. Align dates and locations, use uniform bullet styles, and proofread carefully.

7. Ignoring the Non-Artistic Side

• Problem: Some choreographers do not mention project management, budgeting, or communication skills.
• Solution: Add bullets that show you can manage schedules, coordinate with production teams, and keep projects on track and on budget.

A strong choreographer resume is both artistic and strategic: it tells the story of your creative voice while proving that you can deliver reliable, professional results. By curating your credits, quantifying your impact, and tailoring your resume to each opportunity, you position yourself as a choreographer that directors, producers, and studios can trust with their stages, screens, and students.