Wanna be a commercial dancer?

I’ve been asked to debunk a few ‘commercial dancer myths’…

Being a commercial dancer does not specifically mean you need to be good at street, hiphop, jazz funk etc. Commerical isn’t a style of dancer either- popping that there right at the start of this article.

In advertising and media the word Commerical - is a noun which means ‘a paid advertisement broadcast on television, radio, or streaming platforms’

And that is pretty much what a commercial dancer does, it’s anything that is used to promote, market or work for someone’s brand.

Here are some examples and some styles that would also set you in good stead if you want to be a successful ‘commercial dancer’. Some of my best friends are in the ‘inner circle’ of the UK’s best commerical dancers, and whilst one was super hiphop at college, the other was an ISTD baby - with her advanced 2 modern!

(All these jobs are examples, not fact)

Job 1 -

Perfoming at the Queens Silver Jubilee televised celebration. The piece is Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. The style is tap.

Job 2 -

Black Swan is premiering in the cinema. You’re creating an immerisve red carpet experience. The style is ballet, specifically pointe.

Job 3 -

Bridgeton is filming. The style is English folk dancing.

Job 4 -

A segment on Strictly Come Dancing is set in an American diner. The style is Lindy Hop and you’re needed to do lifts.

Job 5 -

Harry Styles is performing at The Brit Awards. The style is jazz funk.

Job 6-

The Ritz has a black tie themed afternoon tea. The style is Fosse.

Job 7 -

John Lewis is creating a tv advert based around furniture. The style is contemporary, specifically floor work.

Job 8

Capri sun is creating flash mobs across the country. The style is Salsa.

All of these are viable and well paid commercial jobs.

There are hundreds if not thousands of examples of this.

So next time you think you’re ‘rubbish at commercial’ think again - and start believing in the vastness and insanely diverse landscape of jobs for dancers!