Dancers: Read this Before Signing a Trainee or Apprentice Contract
For the vast majority of dancers working toward a job in the concert dance industry (such as a ballet or modern company), your first contract offer is going to be as a trainee or apprentice. In essence, this boils down to a dance internship.
As a trainee or apprentice, it is likely your position will be unpaid or only offer benefits such as pointe shoes or pay for performances. As an aspiring dancer, this is definitely a reality you need to prepare yourself for as well as strongly consider whether you are willing to take this type of job offer. However, it is often the first stepping stone to a full-fledged company contract and the most common way to get your foot in the door.
When you receive that first contract, it feels SO EXCITING. And it really is! Celebrate 🥳! You did it!
It’s tempting to jump right in, but it’s important to take your time to be sure you know exactly what you’re agreeing to. Before you sign on the dotted line, here are some things you need to consider:
What percentage of dancers are offered a company contract after completing a year as a trainee/apprentice?
Many companies bring on trainees and apprentices exclusively to fill the corps de ballet roles in their full-length story ballets. Ballets like Swan Lake and The Nutcracker take a lot of manpower from the corps, and companies use to their advantage the free or low-cost labor they receive from trainees and apprentices to dance these roles.
Of course, we do have to pay our dues and put in our time in the corps de ballet! However, it’s important to find out if the company actually has a history of promoting dancers into their ranks. Are they truly investing in their trainees and apprentices with the aim of preparing them to join the main company - or are they simply looking for bodies to fill space? Ultimately, the goal of taking a trainee/apprentice contract is to receive a paid job. Make sure this looks like a real possibility for you.
How long do dancers typically spend as a trainee/apprentice before being promoted to the corps de ballet?
Some companies will keep dancers hanging by a thread for far too long, giving them just enough hope to keep coming back season after season without ever actually promoting them. This is doing dancers a huge disservice! A Director should know if you are the right fit for the company after a year, maybe two maximum. If they are still stringing you along after this point, it might be time to cut your losses and look for a company that is truly willing to invest in you. Before you accept a contract, try to find out if the company has a history of holding onto dancers in unpaid roles for more than two seasons.
How much stage time do trainees/apprentices receive?
You need to find out what type of roles should you will likely be cast in and how often you should expect to take the stage. Again, trainees and apprentices will mainly be filling the corps de ballet roles. You may also be asked to understudy more senior roles. There is a lot of sitting and waiting during this period of your career - while there is absolutely value in taking time to watch and learn from how the senior dancers rehearse and perform, ultimately you took this position so that you could DANCE! It’s important to find out if you will be getting enough stage time to show your stuff!What does the schedule look like?
Some trainee or apprenticeships may require extra classes on top of the main company schedule. This is a great opportunity to hone your technique. I improved miles in my first year as a trainee because of all the additional technique classes I was required to take. The issue I faced is that between company rehearsals and academy classes, I was left with only a few hours a week for a part-time job. As an unpaid trainee, this ended up landing me in a lot of debt. Ultimately, you need to look at your budget and determine if the schedule is going to allow you the opportunity to make enough money at a second job to support yourself if you deem this necessary.
Does the company allow you to miss rehearsal to audition?
Unless you’ve already been offered a contract for the following season, it is a wise practice during your trainee/apprentice seasons to actively attend auditions. The future is still uncertain and you need to make sure you have a backup plan in case you are not promoted at your current company (or if you choose it’s not the right place for you!). Some companies frown on dancers missing rehearsal for auditions even if they don’t plan on offering them a contract, which can make it virtually impossible to prepare for your future. Of course, being dedicated to your current company and being in rehearsal is important, but a Director should respect you enough as a person to work with you, especially if you are openly communicating and giving adequate notice.
I wish I would have known all of this before signing my first trainee contract! That’s why I took all my knowledge gained over a decade as a professional ballerina and compiled it into The Brainy Ballerina Intentional Career Handbook. This blog post is just a small snippet of information you will learn in the handbook. The 19-page handbook includes 12 topics and 50+ question prompts designed to give you intention and clarity in your goals as you pursue a professional dance career. (Basically, it's everything I wish I knew when I was first starting out in my career!) If you’re pursuing a career in professional dance, this handbook is a must-have!
Meet the Author
Caitlin Sloan is a Dance Educator and Career Mentor based in Madison, WI.
Caitlin received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Grand Valley State University and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Missouri.
She danced professionally for nine years with companies including Ballet Tucson and Missouri Contemporary Ballet (now Mareck Dance). Caitlin has taught at schools all over the Midwest, most notably serving as Director of The School of Missouri Contemporary Ballet and Youth Company Director for Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. She is currently on faculty at the School of Madison Ballet.
Caitlin founded The Brainy Ballerina® in 2019, a virtual resource providing support and guidance for aspiring ballet dancers. Follow @thebrainyballerina on Instagram for your daily dose of dance career guidance and inspiration.
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