🎯 How I Broke Into the Dance Industry (And the 10-Step Cheat Sheet I Created to Help You Do the Same)

Breaking into the dance industry isn’t easy—especially if you don’t have an agent. I learned that the hard way.After years of full-time training and still feeling stuck, I realized something no one talks about: 90–95% of dancers don’t get signed by agencies, even after putting in the work.That’s why I created this free 10-step cheat sheet—to help aspiring dancers like you get booked, stay persistent, and build a real career in the dance industry without relying on luck or gatekeepers.

Who Am I?
I’m Chris Van Doren, and I’ve been working professionally as a dancer in Australia and internationally for over a decade.From performing with artists like Taylor Swift, Jason Derulo, and Kelly Rowland, to appearing on The X-Factor, The Voice, and Magic Mike Live—I’ve seen what it really takes to go pro and stay booked. But none of that came from being discovered overnight. It came from understanding the business of dance—and that’s exactly what this guide is all about.

What You’ll Learn Inside the Free Cheat Sheet 
This isn’t just another “train hard and hope” type of guide. These are real, actionable steps I used to break into the commercial dance industry, and they work whether you want to tour, teach, choreograph, or perform on big stages.

✅ Step 1: Define What “Making It” Means to You

Do you want to tour with artists? Perform on stage? Teach internationally?
Get clear on your dream so you can move with purpose.

✅ Step 2: Keep Training, Learning, and Posting

Keep developing your skills—but don’t train blindly.
Learn from people who’ve done what you want to do.
Record your class footage and start using social media as your portfolio.

✅ Step 3: Find Your Look

Your “look” is your brand.
In the commercial dance industry, being marketable matters just as much as being good.
Find what makes you stand out—and own it.

✅ Step 4: Build Your Dance Portfolio

You don’t need an agent to look professional.
Create a clean CV, professional headshots, a short dance reel, and use your Instagram like a website.
This is how I started getting booked.

✅ Step 5: Reach Out to Agents the Right Way

Once you’ve built the foundation, start emailing agencies—not DMing them.
Include your CV, reel, headshots, and social links. Keep it short and professional.

✅ Step 6–10: Learn the Industry From the Inside

The second half of the cheat sheet teaches you how to:

• Stay persistent when things feel slow

• Network without being fake

• Stand out on set so you get rebooked

• Find your voice as an artist (not just a dancer)

• Build momentum and actually live your dream

   

   

   

🎁 Get the Free 10-Step Cheat Sheet

I’m giving the entire guide away for free—no strings attached.
This is the cheat code I wish I had when I was getting started.

👉 📥 Download the Free Cheat Sheet + Book Your Free Call

💬 Why I Created This

Because the dance industry is broken. Too many dancers are creating content for free, hoping someone notices. But exposure doesn’t pay rent. You don’t need to be discovered. You just need the right tools, mindset, and plan. That’s what this guide is.

It’s time we stop dancing for free and start building real careers.

Final Thoughts 
If you’re serious about becoming a professional dancer—this is your starting point.

Let’s build your brand.
Let’s get you booked.
Let’s get you paid.

— Chris Van Doren
Founder of The Movement Org
Professional Dancer & Online Coach