Assistant Choreographer

Career Guide

An Assistant Choreographer supports a choreographer by helping create, teach, and maintain dance and movement for performances. The role blends creative input with strong organization, clear communication, and consistent coaching to keep rehearsals efficient and performance quality steady.

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Key Responsibilities

Support choreography creation by contributing movement ideas and refinements
Teach choreography to performers and track who has learned what
Run rehearsals when the choreographer is unavailable
Clean choreography by giving notes on timing, spacing, and clarity
Maintain consistency across casts, understudies, and alternates
Document choreography using video references and written notes
Coordinate with the stage manager on schedules and rehearsal needs
Work with directors to align movement with story and character
Partner with music staff to match choreography to tempo and counts
Support auditions by helping teach combinations and assess movement fit
Help with onstage spacing during technical rehearsals
Promote a safe rehearsal environment and encourage injury-aware practice

Top Skills for Success

Dance Technique

Movement Teaching

Rehearsal Leadership

Musicality

Rhythm Counting

Spatial Awareness

Choreography Staging

Performance Coaching

Communication

Constructive Feedback

Collaboration

Time Management

Conflict Resolution

Adaptability

Casting Support

Production Process Knowledge

Dance Documentation

Video Reference Management

Injury Prevention Awareness

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Choreographer

Associate Choreographer

Dance Captain

Movement Director

Rehearsal Director

Creative Director for Live Shows

Transition Opportunities

Dance Educator

Casting Assistant for Dance

Talent Coordinator

Stage Management

Producer for Live Performance

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Choreography DocumentationRehearsal SchedulingCamera Blocking AwarenessUnion Rules AwarenessAudition FacilitationAdvanced Feedback DeliveryBudget AwarenessCross Style Versatility

Development SuggestionsBuild a portfolio that shows you can teach and maintain choreography, not only perform it. Practice running short rehearsals, creating clear notes, and keeping consistent standards across performers. Learn basic production workflows and expectations by assisting on smaller projects and requesting feedback from choreographers and stage managers.

Market Intelligence Report

Assistant Choreographer is part of the Performing Arts category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

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Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUSD 500 to 1,200 per week for contracted productions, or USD 35,000 to 55,000 annually in steady staff roles

Mid LevelUSD 1,200 to 2,500 per week for contracted productions, or USD 55,000 to 85,000 annually in steady staff roles

Senior LevelUSD 2,500 to 4,500 per week for high-budget productions, or USD 85,000 to 120,000 annually when combined with associate choreographer duties

Growth Trend

Stable overall, with hiring concentrated in major production hubs and seasonal peaks tied to touring, live events, and holiday programming.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

Broadway and touring productionsRegional theatresCommercial dance studiosFilm and television production companiesMusic video production teamsTheme parks and cruise linesLive event producersCollege and university performing arts departments

Industry Sectors

TheatreTouring EntertainmentFilmTelevisionMusicAdvertisingTheme ParksCruise EntertainmentEducationLive Events

Recommended Next Steps

Create a short teaching reel that shows you setting choreography and giving notes

Collect written references from choreographers, directors, and stage managers

Assist on student films, showcases, and regional productions to increase credits

Develop a repeatable system for counts, spacing notes, and video labeling

Take workshops focused on staging, partnering, and teaching methodology

Network with choreographers through classes, intensives, and auditions

Learn basic on camera movement needs by observing film and television rehearsals

Prepare a simple resume version tailored to theatre and a separate version tailored to screen work