The life of a dancer is rigorous and unrelenting. Classes and rehearsals are a daily fact of life, and the pay is not commensurate with the time devoted to the art. Backup dancers not only train as long and work as hard as well-known dancers, they do it for little or no recognition. In some instances, backup dancers do not even receive screen credit or program mention. Dancers who pursue backup work do it for love.
Backup Dancer Job Description
Backup dancers, like other dancers, must study and train rigorously for 6 to 10 or more years to prepare for a professional career. Ballet classes are a good foundation, but to maximize potential, a dancer must also learn jazz/Broadway, modern, hip-hop and possibly Latin styles. Being well-rounded and versatile helps increase hiring opportunities. Once a dancer is working, she must still attend daily classes, as well as 2 to 6 or more hours of rehearsal. Some productions may pay less for rehearsal than for performance days. Depending on the type of show, a dancer may be responsible for 8-plus shows per week. As for any other type of dancer, the risk of injury is high. Between contracts, doing other types of work or collecting unemployment are common options.
Broadway
Broadway dancers perform under Actor's Equity Association contracts. In addition to setting pay rates, union contract provisions require rest breaks, meal breaks and other protections. As of June 2011, a backup dancer in a Broadway musical earns $1,653 per week. The pay increases by $20 for specialty parts; $33 to understudy a principal part. In addition, show dance captains receive an additional $330 per week, while assistant dance captains receive half that amount. If you are required to move any part of the set during the show, the union provides that you receive an additional $8 per week. Overtime is billed at $44 per hour. This pay schedule applies to national tours as well.
Casino
Many Las Vegas backup dancer positions require AEA contracts. Casino stage show dancers are paid according to the number of seats in the theater. Weekly pay for a dancer in a theater of less than 30 seats is $600, while $1,350 is the minimum to dance in a house that seats more than 1,801 audience members. Fringe benefits include free housing, a per diem of up to $280 per week, pension and health insurance.
Television
Backup dancers who work in television typically are covered by American Federation of Television and Radio Artists contracts. The pay is by the day and depends on the type and length of the program. A dancer who works in an hour-long program is paid $1,106 per day; the overtime rate is $37.50 per hour. For awards shows that run for more than hour, backup dancers receive $232 for each rehearsal day and $683 per shoot day.
