Directory
Group choreography credits: give each collaborator visibility and fair royalties
Clear credits and equitable royalties turn a one-off dance piece into an asset that pays every contributor long after the curtain closes. Follow this roadmap to map roles, set transparent splits and showcase every collaborator so your next group choreography shines on stage and online.
Why crystal-clear credits make or break group choreography
Credits do more than appease egos—they unlock future work and passive income. When casting teams scroll collaborative dancer listings, they filter by proven roles. If your lighting-fast hip-hop fusion piece credits a rehearsal director, co-choreographers and featured dancers properly, each artist surfaces in recruiter searches and collects lawful royalties from touring, streaming or broadcast deals.
Map every role before rehearsals start
Common collaborators in contemporary creations
- Lead or primary choreographer – owns the core concept and movement vocabulary.
- Co-choreographer(s) – builds sections or styles that complement the core.
- Rehearsal director – keeps spacing, counts and style consistent across casts.
- Dancers – often double as creative contributors during improv labs.
- Composer or sound designer – tailors music cues to accentuate dynamics.
Documenting these roles early prevents “credit creep”—that tense backstage moment when someone asks, “Why isn't my name on the program?”
Calculate fair royalty splits without burning bridges
Start with industry ranges, then adjust for scope. Below is a snapshot from Dance/USA's 2023 Choreography Compensation Report.
| Role | Typical royalty range | Factors that raise the % |
|---|---|---|
| Primary choreographer | 40–55 % | Full ownership of concept & title credit |
| Co-choreographer | 15–25 % | Distinct stylistic section or duet |
| Rehearsal director | 5–12 % | Maintains touring casts for >6 months |
| Dancers (creative input) | 5–20 % (shared) | Improvised phrases kept in final cut |
| Composer/Sound designer | 5–10 % | Original score, adaptive tempo tracks |
Three split models you can adapt today
- Pro rata points – each collaborator earns points that equal 1 % of gross income.
- Tiered percentages – a fixed hierarchy (e.g., 50/20/10/10/10) easier for accounting.
- Hybrid model – base fee plus sliding royalties if the piece tours past 10 shows.
Draft a credit clause everyone signs
Embed a “credit & royalty” article in your contract so collaborators know exactly how the group choreography credits will appear on posters, programs, and streaming descriptions.
- Credit wording – list the official title followed by “choreography by…” and each role.
- Royalty calculation window – specify gross or net and the audit frequency (quarterly beats yearly).
- Usage triggers – touring, film adaptation, social promos or licensing to brands.
- Termination clause – what happens if a collaborator leaves mid-tour?
Need deeper contract language? See how to anchor financial clauses inside balanced dance-industry agreements.
Tools that automate credit tracking and payments
1. Digital fingerprinting for dance films
Platforms like Veritone ID attach metadata so streaming platforms auto-display group choreography credits and feed payments to rightsholders.
2. Royalty dashboards
Use services such as LabelGrid or Exactuals to split payouts; each collaborator can verify statements in seconds.
3. On-chain smart contracts
Web3-savvy troupes mint an NFT of the final video and embed royalty logic—no late checks, no drama.
Visibility tactics that amplify every collaborator
- Shared EPK – a one-page kit with bios, headshots and links to individual portfolios.
- Staggered social drops – schedule reels that tag each artist when their creative moment peaks.
- Directory cross-links – co-choreographers can lift SEO by linking to each other's case studies like our guide to paid dance collaborations on social media (article available soon).
- Residency shout-outs – if the piece premieres abroad, spotlight visa efforts using tips from international dance visa roadmaps.
Case study: A five-way split that toured 18 countries
Contemporary collective “Kinetic Pulse” agreed on a 45 / 20 / 10 / 20 / 5 split (lead/co/rehearsal/dancers/composer). Their credits appeared in three languages on promotional posters and every dancer gained at least two new contracts within a year—proof that fair group choreography credits amplify careers.
Test your credit-sharing savvy
FAQ
- How often should we audit royalty payments?
- Quarterly audits keep cashflow transparent without drowning the producer in paperwork.
- Can dancers without creative input claim royalties?
- Yes, if their likeness appears in monetised recordings, they're entitled to performance royalties even without choreography credit.
- What happens when a piece is re-staged by a new cast?
- The original credit structure stays intact; new dancers receive performance fees but not authorship royalties.
- Do international tours require separate credit agreements?
- Usually no—add a global territory clause to one contract. Check local collective management rules for broadcast.
- Is social media promotion considered a payable usage?
- If the platform monetises the video (ads, pay-per-view or sponsorship), the same royalty split applies.
Next step: lock fair credits before your first eight-count
Group choreography credits fuel careers and passive income. Write your clauses, choose a split model and share an EPK so every collaborator wins. Ready to formalise your next project? Download our free credit-clause template and book a 30-minute consult.
