Dancers spend years learning dances and perfecting their skills. They normally perform as part of a group in a variety of settings, including the ballet, musical theater, and modern dance companies. Many perform on TV or in music videos, where they also may sing and act. Many perform in shows at casinos, theme parks, or on cruise ships. Some people with dance backgrounds become dance teachers.

Dancers typically do the following:

• Audition for a part in a show or for a job with a dance company
• Learn complex dance movements that entertain an audience
• Spend several hours each day in rehearsals to prepare for their performance
• Study new and emerging types of dance
• Work closely with instructors or other dancers to interpret or modify choreography
• Attend promotional events, such as photography sessions, for the production in which they are appearing