Dance Captain
A Dance Captain is a leadership role in theater, opera, and dance productions. They work alongside the choreographer and director to maintain the quality and consistency of dance performances. Think of them as a quality manager for dance, responsible for teaching routines to new cast members, running rehearsals when the choreographer is absent, and making sure all dancers maintain the original vision of the show. This role is similar to an Assistant Choreographer or Dance Supervisor. They serve as a bridge between the creative team and the dancers, helping to keep the performance standards high throughout a production's run.
Examples in Resumes
Served as Dance Captain for national tour of 'Carmen', leading daily warm-ups and maintaining choreographic integrity
Dance Captain and performer in 'The Magic Flute', responsible for training new cast members
Assistant Choreographer and Dance Captain for regional opera company's production of 'La Traviata'
Typical job title: "Dance Captains"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Dance Captains
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a situation where dancers are consistently failing to maintain the choreographer's vision?
Expected Answer: A senior Dance Captain should discuss their approach to leadership, including one-on-one coaching, group rehearsals, video documentation, and clear communication strategies with both dancers and creative team.
Q: Describe your experience with maintaining multiple versions of choreography for different casts.
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate strong organizational skills, documentation methods, and ability to manage multiple versions of shows while maintaining quality across all casts.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you prepare to teach choreography to new cast members?
Expected Answer: Should explain their teaching methods, preparation process, use of notation or video, and strategies for quick but thorough training.
Q: What is your process for documenting changes in choreography during the rehearsal period?
Expected Answer: Should discuss various documentation methods, communication with creative team, and systems for keeping all cast members updated on changes.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What experience do you have with different dance styles?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate broad knowledge of dance styles relevant to musical theater and opera, including ballet, jazz, and period-specific movements.
Q: How do you maintain physical stamina for both performing and teaching?
Expected Answer: Should discuss personal fitness routine, time management, and strategies for balancing performance and leadership duties.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Strong dance technique in multiple styles
- Basic leadership experience
- Good communication skills
- Understanding of dance notation
Mid (2-5 years)
- Experience teaching choreography
- Strong rehearsal management
- Ability to maintain show quality
- Clear documentation practices
Senior (5+ years)
- Advanced leadership abilities
- Production management experience
- Problem-solving in live performance
- Cast training and development
Red Flags to Watch For
- Limited dance training or performance experience
- Poor communication or leadership skills
- Lack of experience with multiple dance styles
- No understanding of production processes
- Unable to demonstrate teaching abilities
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