The Hidden Value of a Dance Background

Having a dance background when working with dancers and choreographers has made a significant difference in how effectively projects are managed.

I started out as a dancer. I trained professionally, earned my degrees, performed, competed, and taught hundreds of dance classes.

This is where my roots began, I worked as a dance artist before moving into producing.

This allows me to see every project through their lens. There are many details that can be easily missed from a production standpoint without this perspective.

It’s essential we let the dancers create their artistic vision to the highest standard. 

Contents 

1. Introduction: From Dancer to Managing Dancers 

2. Understanding the Dancer Mindset 

3. How This Experience Improves Production Outcomes 

4. Conclusion: Why Lived Experience is the Advantage 

Introduction: From Dancer to Managing Dancers 

Hi, I’m Fern. I started from the age of eight. I spent my childhood and teenage years absolutely obsessed with dancing - I could not get enough of it. 

This led me to study dance at university, completing a BA in Dance Practice and an MA in Dance Production. My years as a dancer connected me deeply with the industry and gave me a strong understanding of the creative process, both as a performer and a choreographer.

Dance is where my career began. Before stepping into a producer role, I worked as a dancer in rehearsal rooms, on stage, and within the day-to-day realities of the industry. 

During the pandemic, I decided it was time for a switch up.

It led me to think “what else can I offer the dance industry - what is missing”. 

This led me to complete a Master’s degree in Dance Management and Producing, studying remotely during the pandemic. This opened up new opportunities and new ways of working. 

My career has now led me to work extensively with dance artists, supporting their careers and managing their creative projects. I also work with global brands and production companies to manage dance effectively within their projects.

This has allowed me to see every project through their lens and believe me there are so many things that can be easily missed from a production standpoint without this vital point of view. 

Understanding the dancer mindset

Dancers have quite a different mindset compared to our production brains. 

Rooted in community and culture, they understand audiences, cultural shifts, social trends and create experiences that truly move and connect with people. 

They approach most things from a creative mindset first. Dance artists are focused on how their movement translates to the camera, a live audience, how movement works within a specific location and ensuring that they deliver on the creative brief. 

Dancers tell stories through their art, using emotion, style and technique. Their decisions are not at all random, they are deliberate and aimed at creating the most impactful performance possible. 

Without understanding a dancer's mindset, it can be easy to overlook the value of what dance can offer to a project. 

Once you do, you can manage dancers in a way that supports their creative process rather than restricting it, which is where their best work truly shines.

How this experience improves production outcomes 

Having worked as a dancer, I approach producing dance differently. 

By not simply looking at logistics, budgets, timelines etc. I understand what is actually required for dancers to deliver at their best. 

Scheduling & Time Management: 

• I create schedules that fully reflect the time needed for the dancers to be performance ready

• Shoot/Performance days, with enough time built in for tech rehearsals 

Budgeting 

• Building budgets that reflect the true costs working with dance

• Avoiding last minute budget adjustments

Communication & Alignment 

• One central person that manages all dance talent on the project 

• Avoid the endless cc’ing in of multiple people 

• Ensure everyone is aligned and working towards the same outcome 

• Avoid confusion between the creative and production teams

Connected to the dance community 

• Sourcing high-quality talent from within the dance community

Whether that’s fatigue, time constraints, or creative limitations, I can spot potential issues early and adjust accordingly. These are often the details that get missed without a dance background, but they are the ones that make or break a performance.

Conclusion: Why Lived Experience is the Advantage

Having lived experience as a dancer is a real advantage when it comes to producing incredible dance content. 

It allows you to see the full picture of a project, not just what needs to be delivered, but how to get there in the most effective way.

Dancers are not just another part of a production. They are artists, athletes, and storytellers, all at once.

When they are supported properly, when their process is understood, and when they are given the right environment to create, the results speak for themselves.