So you want to bust your moves on the big stage? Go for it! Like anything else, the hip-hop industry is a business. There are a variety of options to explore and a multitude of ways to make it to the top. So, if you are persistent and resourceful, you'll be grooving.
Instructions
Preparing
1. There are a variety of styles---krumping, b-boy/b-girl, street jazz, house, lofting, voguing---that fit under the umbrella term "hip-hop," so before you do anything else, do your research. Take classes, go clubbing, attend freestyle jams and watch videos on YouTube. Learn about all the different styles and explore as many options as you can. The more you try the closer you'll get to figuring out which style suits you best.
2. The next step is adding some flava to your dancing. "Flava," or pizzazz and personal flair, is not a term to be used loosely: New York--based Hip-Hop/Funk/Street Jazz instructors Bev B. and Rhapsody James cite "flava" as one of the primary goals of their classes. Flava will let you put yourself out there, take risks, and get noticed. To develop flava, start by observing other people. When you are in a class, or at a party, watch the dancers around you and try to imitate how they move. If you don't go clubbing much, try to pick up moves from music videos. Not only is this a great way to hone your flava, but also it's useful practice for learning choreography. Finally, do not be afraid to keep pushing yourself as a dancer. Often, choreographers look for additional training in ballet, jazz, acrobatics, and many other styles of moving. When you start you might feel uncomfortable, but don't lose sight of your goal. Remind yourself that in the long run, exploring these other movement disciplines will make you a more versatile dancer and give you more flava.
3. Make sure to work out daily. Take body conditioning classes like yoga, Pilates, or Gyrotonic. And, of course, there's always just going to the gym and doing cardio or weight lifting. Any of the above options are a good way to go---whatever way you deem necessary to stay fit, do it. You'll feel and look stronger and sexier, and no choreographer or director can resist that.
Becoming a Pro
4. Get a clean, polished, and professional head shot. A solid 8x10" head shot will automatically make you look more professional. You can ask fellow dancers about who to go to, or you can look on studio bulletin boards or in dance publications for advertisements for photographers.
5. You are ready to start auditioning! You can find out about auditions via word of mouth, poster boards, or the Internet. If you Google "Dancer auditions" or "Hip-hop auditions" you will get pages and pages of results. When you go to an audition, remember to bring your head shot, your confidence, and your flava with you! No matter what happens, keep your eyes front, keep dancing, and smile; looking enthusiastic is more than half the battle at an audition.
A quick note about auditions: they are a great way to network. You will meet a lot of people and make a lot of connections. If you do not get the job you are auditioning for, someone you meet might know of another one. Or, you might get invited to a freestyle jam; a lot of professional hip-hop crews start this way. Just remember that auditions are as much about the experience as they are about the actual job.
6. Getting a job in the industry is as much about persistence as it is about talent. Few artists make it overnight; even Usher and Madonna paid their dues doing small gigs. While you are working your way up, look for additional ways to keep dancing and stay in shape. For example, starting a crew with some fellow dancers will give you an opportunity to polish your moves in a less competitive environment. If you feel like your act is solid, put a video reel together and enter some competitions. Competitions are a great way to get exposure and make valuable connections with people in the business.
Another option is the clubbing industry. Entertainment companies are always looking for dancers to perform at weddings, bar mitzvahs, or corporate events as back-up dancers or party-motivators. If the big companies are not for you, try the underground clubbing scene. A lot of DJs look for artists to perform while they are spinning, so ask around and see if there are any opportunities. This can also be a way to start exploring choreography if that is an avenue you're interested in.
7. Finally, just remember to keep plugging away and stay positive. Your status as a professional is dependent on your definition of success and your own chosen path. Being a professional hip-hop dancer simply means you are being paid to dance hip-hop. Your options, therefore, are limitless. As long as you keep dancing, keep putting yourself out there, and keep your eyes on the prize, then you will find your niche and excel there.
