Finding work as a Dancer in Japan
- liD !
- Jul 31, 2020
- 2 min read
In Japan there are numerous English teaching jobs, and it is a great way to get your foot in the door, learn the culture, earn a steady income and get familiar with your surroundings. But for many of us creatives, doing a job that you are not passionate about can be soul destroying and unproductive not only to you but the people you interact with. There are ways to find other jobs in Japan, especially dance related ones. Below is some information to find dance jobs in Japan.
Take lessons
Taking lessons is one of the best ways to network and create connections. You can meet other dancers who may know information. Studios often post details on their notice boards and websites. Sometimes the teacher may know of some jobs. Check out Lid's Studio Directory and click here to see what you need and how to prepare for taking lessons in Japan.
Theme Parks
Working at a theme park is a great way to get experience as well building up your skills. In Japan, there are two well known theme parks: Tokyo Disney Resort and Universal Studios Japan (in Osaka). Both theme parks hire foreigners and have various roles for performances. However they may be expecting a more theatrical dance background and people who could be considered a triple threat.
Agencies
If you have lots of commercial experience back home or looking to go commercial, then agencies are the best step forward. Unfortunately, the majority of them are based in Tokyo. There are a few agencies that have jobs around Japan and even abroad. Be prepared with a full length photo, a headshot and a couple of dance videos.
Other
Gaijin Pot is considered the go to for finding jobs. There are occasionally posts for dance related gigs but posted nowhere as often as the english teaching jobs. It’s best to check frequently and sign up to alerts so you don’t miss out.
Teach your own lessons.
Renting a studio space and hosting your own lessons is probably one of the easiest ways to teach dance in Japan. If you are not confident yet or don’t have a large clientele, ask your friends to sign up or create a schedule where a group of dancers take turns to teach every week. This is a great way to support each other and the industry.
Depending how many attend, studios can be cheap to rent out also. If you are not sure where to go, dance studios often have rental spaces and discounts for members (which is another reason why you should take lessons!).
Hopefully this article inspired you to start searching and not give up hope about getting a dance job in Japan. Please comment below with your experiences, thoughts and opinions!
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