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Performance Choreography Contract

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PERFORMANCE CHOREOGRAPHY CONTRACT

Effective Date:

Parties

Recitals

WHEREAS, the Choreographer is engaged in the business of creating, teaching and staging choreographic works and has represented that the Choreographer has the experience and ability to provide choreography for the production identified herein; and

WHEREAS, the Client desires to retain the Choreographer to create and deliver choreography for the Production entitled: to be performed on or about: and the parties wish to set forth the terms of their agreement.

WHEREAS, the parties desire to reduce their agreement to writing and to define the respective rights and obligations of each party.

Scope of Work

The Choreographer shall develop, teach, rehearse and deliver original choreography for the Production consistent with the production schedule and the creative brief provided by the Client. The Choreographer's obligations shall include staging, notation as reasonably requested, direction of rehearsals during the term, and delivery of final choreography as described below.

Payment Terms

In consideration for the services described herein, the Client shall pay the Choreographer the fees and reimbursements set forth below. All payments are due in U.S. dollars unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Unpaid amounts not subject to a good-faith dispute shall accrue interest at the rate specified above and the Client shall be responsible for reasonable collection costs and attorneys' fees incurred in enforcing payment obligations.

Reimbursable expenses shall be pre-approved in writing by the Client and supported by receipts. If a cap applies, specify cap amount above.

Term and Termination

Either party may terminate this Agreement for material breach by the other party upon written notice if the breach is not cured within the notice period specified above. Termination shall not relieve the Client of payment for services rendered and reimbursable expenses accrued prior to termination.

Confidentiality

The parties acknowledge that the Choreographer and the Client may exchange confidential information in connection with the Production. Each party agrees to hold confidential and not disclose to third parties any confidential information of the other party, except as required by law, for a period of years following the Effective Date. Confidential information does not include information that (i) is or becomes publicly known through no wrongful act of the receiving party, (ii) is already known by the receiving party without restriction, or (iii) is independently developed without use of the disclosing party's confidential information.

Ownership, License and Credit

The Choreographer retains ownership of all original choreographic works created by the Choreographer and hereby grants the Client a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to perform the choreography for the Production described in this Agreement, in the territory of: for a period of years, subject to payment in full and the terms herein. The Client shall provide the Choreographer on-screen or program credit as: .

Any use of the choreography beyond the scope set forth in this Agreement requires the Choreographer's prior written consent and may be subject to additional compensation.

Representations; Indemnification

Each party represents that it has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement. The Client shall indemnify and hold the Choreographer harmless from and against any claims, liabilities or expenses arising from the Client's production, except to the extent caused by the Choreographer's gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Choreographer shall indemnify the Client for claims arising from the Choreographer's breach of representation or infringement of third-party choreography.

Limitation of Liability

Except for indemnification obligations and willful misconduct, neither party shall be liable for incidental, consequential, special or punitive damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement. The total liability of either party for any claim arising under this Agreement shall not exceed the total fees actually paid to the Choreographer under this Agreement.

Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to its conflicts of law principles.

Amendment; Waiver

This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument signed by both parties. The waiver of any breach shall not constitute a waiver of any other or subsequent breach.

Entire Agreement

This Agreement, together with any attachments or addenda signed by the parties, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous oral and written agreements and understandings.

Choreographer (Print Name):

By:

Date:

Client (Print Name):

By:

Date:

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What a Performance Choreography Contract Covers

A Performance Choreography Contract is a written agreement that defines the relationship between a choreographer and the hiring party for creation, rehearsal, and performance of choreography. It allocates rights and responsibilities including scope of work, delivery schedule, fees and payment terms, ownership or license of choreography and related intellectual property, permissions for recordings and broadcasts, credit and publicity, insurance and indemnity, termination conditions, and dispute resolution. The contract helps prevent misunderstandings about creative control, use of choreography after the engagement, and financial obligations between parties.

Why a Clear Choreography Agreement Matters

A precise contract protects creative ownership, clarifies payment and performance obligations, reduces disputes over recordings or reuse, and documents consent for licensing and public presentation. It provides enforceable remedies and supports reliable production planning.

Why a Clear Choreography Agreement Matters

Who Typically Uses a Performance Choreography Contract

Common parties and stakeholders who rely on this agreement.

  • Independent choreographers and dance creators contracting with theaters or production companies for original work and performances.
  • Producers, directors, and hiring organizations that engage choreographers and need to secure rights, schedules, and payment terms.
  • Venues, broadcasters, and recording partners who require written permissions for filming, streaming, and subsequent licensing.

Use the contract to assign responsibilities clearly and reduce downstream licensing and payment disputes.

Essential Clauses to Include

A professional contract should include standardized sections that address delivery, compensation, intellectual property, credits, performance logistics, and dispute resolution.

Parties & Scope

Identify the choreographer and hiring party, and describe the services, number of pieces, and rehearsals so obligations are clear and measurable.

Compensation

State fee amounts, payment schedule, reimbursements, and any performance bonuses or royalties tied to recordings or future uses.

Ownership / License

Specify whether choreography is assigned to the employer or licensed for specified uses, including duration, territories, and media formats.

Recording & Publicity

Grant or restrict permissions to film, stream, or distribute performances and require written consent for commercial exploitation.

Term & Termination

Set effective dates, renewal terms, and termination triggers plus obligations on notice, cure periods, and final payments.

Indemnity & Insurance

Allocate risk for injury, property damage, and IP claims; require liability insurance where appropriate and specify limits.

Step-by-Step: Filling Out the Contract

Follow these steps in order to prepare an enforceable Performance Choreography Contract.

  • 01
    Gather party data: Collect legal names, addresses, and tax IDs.
  • 02
    Define scope: Write concrete deliverables, rehearsal counts, and performance dates.
  • 03
    Set payments: Enter fees, schedule, and payment methods.
  • 04
    Sign and record: Obtain signatures and save final executed copies.

Customizing the Contract for Online Workflows

Configure digital fields and routing to match your production workflow and signer order.

Field | Configuration Field Name | Action or setting
Signature Fields Place per party, require date after signature
Initials Add initials at key clause pages
Conditional Clauses Show royalty clause only if recordings permitted
Signer Order Set choreographer then producer then venue

Digital Signing and Integration Considerations

Choose signing and storage tools that support secure signatures and required formats.

  • Formats Supported: PDF, DOCX, and fillable forms
  • Integrations: Connectors include Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
  • Authentication: Email links, SMS codes, or advanced signer verification

Confirm the platform supports audit trails, encryption, and any regulatory needs such as HIPAA or 21 CFR as required.

Where to Send and How to Distribute the Executed Contract

A clear distribution plan ensures parties and stakeholders receive executed copies promptly.

  • To the Producer: Send fully executed PDF to producer for project records.
  • To the Choreographer: Provide a signed copy for the choreographer's archive and tax records.
  • To the Venue: Share performance and insurance clauses with the venue manager.
  • To Financial Team: Forward invoicing and payment schedule to accounting.

eSignature Pricing Snapshot for Executing This Contract

Compare baseline plan and feature availability for common eSignature vendors when executing choreography agreements; signNow is listed first.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Security and Compliance Highlights

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 & AES-256
Audit Trail: Comprehensive event history
ESIGN / UETA: Meets ESIGN and UETA standards
HIPAA: BAA available on request
SOC 2: SOC 2 Type II certified
21 CFR: 21 CFR Part 11 compliance options

Key Legal Risks and Potential Penalties

Breach of Contract: Damages or specific performance
IP Dispute: Loss of rights or injunctive relief
Backup Withholding: 24% if TIN missing
Late Payment: Interest charges or collection costs
Misclassification: Employment taxes and penalties
Data Breach: Regulatory fines and remediation costs

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing This Contract

  • Vague scope descriptions that leave rehearsal and delivery obligations open to interpretation and later dispute.
  • Failing to address ownership or licensing of choreography and recorded performances, which creates uncertainty for future uses.
  • Omitting payment schedule details or failing to specify currency and payment mechanism, which slows producer accounting.
  • Not obtaining written release for recording or broadcast rights, leading to takedown requests or royalty disputes.

Industry Examples of How Parties Use This Contract

Two concise examples show how choreographers and producers typically apply contract clauses in practice.

Regional Theater Production

A choreographer is hired for a six-week run with rehearsals and three performances

  • Payment split into deposit, midpoint, and final invoice
  • The agreement licenses live performance and prohibits commercial recording without additional compensation and written approval from the choreographer.

Commercial Recording Session

A choreographer creates choreography for a filmed advertisement

  • The hiring company pays a flat fee plus a buyout option
  • The contract assigns synchronization rights to the company for the campaign duration while reserving choreography credit and moral attribution for the creator.

Practical Tips for Clear, Enforceable Contracts

Adopt these practices to reduce disputes and streamline production administration.

Use precise deliverables
Define the number of pieces, rehearsal hours, and expected outcomes. Attach schedules and shot lists as exhibits to avoid ambiguity in scope and acceptance criteria.
Clarify IP treatment
State explicitly whether choreography is assigned, licensed, or jointly owned. Describe permitted uses, sublicensing rights, and compensation for recordings or derivative works.
Handle recordings separately
Include clauses for filming, streaming, and commercial exploitation. Require separate written consent and specify additional fees or royalty splits when recordings are monetized.
Document approvals
Require written sign-off for final choreography and any changes that affect cost or schedule. Track approvals in production records to support final payments and credit allocation.

How to Update or Revise an Executed Contract

Follow a clear amendment workflow to validate changes and preserve enforceability.

01

Review change:

Confirm scope and compensation changes.
02

Draft amendment:

Prepare a short amendment referencing the original contract.
03

Obtain consent:

Get signatures from all original parties.
04

Date amendment:

Use MM/DD/YYYY and note effective date.
05

Attach records:

Attach amendment to original executed file.
06

Distribute copies:

Send final signed copies to all stakeholders.

Notarization and Witness Steps for Authentication

Authentication steps help confirm identity and intent when notarization or witnesses are required by venue, broadcaster, or third parties.

01

Prepare final document

Ensure all blanks are completed and parties review the final text before signing.

02

Verify identity

Signers present government ID to the notary or witness as required.

03

Sign in presence

Parties sign in the physical presence of the notary or required witnesses.

04

Notary acknowledgment

Notary completes acknowledgement and adds seal if required.

05

Use RON option

If available, use Remote Online Notarization with identity proofing and audio‑video record.

06

Maintain records

Notary journals and RON recordings should be retained per state rules.

07

Attach exhibits

Include signed exhibits or schedules as part of the notarized package.

08

Distribute executed

Provide executed, notarized copies to all parties and relevant stakeholders.

Who Can Sign and Bind the Agreement

Choreographer

The choreographer or an authorized representative signs to accept responsibilities, deliverables, and any license or assignment of rights. If the choreographer is a business entity, the signatory should be an officer listed in corporate records to ensure enforceability.

Producer

The producer, hiring organization, or an authorized agent signs to accept payment obligations, venue coordination, and distribution rights. Agents must have written authority to bind the organization for the contract to be effective.

FAQs: Common Questions About Performance Choreography Contracts

Answers to frequently asked practical and legal questions when preparing, signing, and storing choreography agreements.


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