DDP’S LATEST DATA BYTE MINI-REPORT SHOWS WOMEN MAKE UP LESS THAN A THIRD OF ALL RESIDENT CHOREOGRAPHER POSTS AT DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPANIES
March 2, 2021 | Northfield, IL | Dance Data Project® (DDP) today announces the Data Byte: Global Resident Choreographer Survey 2021, a mini-report focusing on the gender distribution of 64 resident choreographer (RC) positions at 75 United States and 68 international ballet companies for a total of 143 companies. The study finds just 28 percent of all resident choreographers are women. Domestically, DDP finds 11 female resident choreographers out of 34 positions, while internationally, DDP’s research shows 7 women among 30 positions. The data for the mini-report was sourced and verified from staff rosters on company websites and is an increase from the number of companies (116) examined by DDP in 2020.
“Resident choreographer appointments offer artists a significant opportunity on the path to leadership, as well as stability and benefits that freelance and gig workers are not afforded.” said DDP Founder and President Liza Yntema. “If less than a third—just 18—of these positions are held by women, then increasing the number of women is crucial to positive progress towards gender equity in choreographic and leadership roles overall within ballet companies.”
The Data Byte: Global Resident Choreographer Survey 2021 can be found on DDP’s website with information and graphic displays found on Instagram and Twitter.
“The breakdown here is not unique; our team finds that women in ballet often sit around the 30 percent range in so many areas, such as commissions, that we examine year after year,” said DDP Director of Research Isabelle Vail. “While 28 percent is undoubtedly better than 10 or 20 percent, we know from seeing equitable ratios in executive directorship and dance festival leadership that the industry is capable of elevating women to a much greater degree.”
DDP will conduct its annual #DDPHerstory campaign, which highlights the names and stories of women leaders in ballet daily, to honor Women’s History Month in March. DDP’s growing index, the Leader Board, is available on the website. DDP will continue to update the 2020-2021 Season Status Updates resource, as well as the COVID-19 resources available online.
Please be advised that DDP reviewed the current status of some of the positions included in aggregate calculations following the publication of this report. The Data Byte reflects the amended findings as of March 31, 2021.