2027 Backstage Team at Journey Dance Competition in Freehold, NJ

About Us:

Journey Dance Competition takes pride in producing the industry's best dance competitions. We deliver exciting, world-class live events in a high-energy, feel-good atmosphere. Our team is made up of the friendliest and most dedicated professionals, who are driven by passion and have made the commitment to serve. Thanks to their extensive training, attention to detail, and our seamless, on-time events, we consistently surpass expectations, ensuring that each event leaves a lasting impression and creates unforgettable memories. Come work alongside a fired-up, passionate, and fun team that’s driven to do great work.

Our mission is to deliver the best dance competition experience, honoring every guest with care and detail—because everyone deserves to be recognized and celebrated.

What We Give Back

• Paid training, paid travel, double-occupancy lodging, and event meals
• Professional and self development — confidence, leadership, adaptability, communication, and real-world experience you'll carry for the rest of your career.
• A team culture worth showing up for — passionate team members who care as much as you do, and friendships that outlast the season.
• Industry connections — dance educators, choreographers, studio owners, and professionals from across the country
• Hands-on experience in live events, production, hospitality, customer service, and operations
• Room to grow — more responsibility, new skills, and a real path into leadership. A lot of our leads started exactly where you're about to.

About The Role:

The Backstage Team are the go-to people for dancers and studio directors throughout the event. It is crucial that these team members are genuine, friendly and helpful in order to be successful and make sure our guests feel welcomed and well informed. Backstage Managers direct the dancers and work with the Audio Operator to ensure the event is running in order and on time! Directing the flow of traffic and maintaining organization is a must in this position to keep the backstage area safe. Backstage Managers also work closely with our Awards Coordinator to set the stage for our Awards Ceremonies. These team members are our party people who hype the dancers up during Awards as well as hand out all physical awards throughout the ceremony. This role requires stamina as the Backstage Team will be on their feet for long periods of time throughout the event. This position is for high-energy individuals who thrive in a fast-paced environment and are passionate about creating a fun and memorable experience for this generation of young dancers!

What a Weekend Actually Looks Like:

• Thursday — travel to the event city from your designated meeting point or airport
• Friday–Sunday — load in, early call times, long days, back-to-back sessions, awards ceremonies, load out
• Monday — travel home

What You Need to Know:

• Seasonal employment with Journey Dance Competition Tour, January - July
• Must be available for Mandatory Team Training; Virtual - December 11-13th, 2026; In Person - Jan. 8-10, 2027
• Must be willing to travel by road or air
• Must be 18 or older
• Must be available from Thursday to Monday for travel
• Travel from a specified meeting point or airport will be required
• Minimum commitment 6 events or more
• Paid training, travel, double occupancy lodging, and event meals
• Ability to drive is a plus
• Official government ID required
• Background check required

What Winning Looks Like:

• Load in and load out production equipment and set up, organize, and breakdown your respective station
• Become familiar with and greet all dancers, studio directors, and choreographers entering the backstage area
• Create a smooth flow of traffic backstage and keep track of the performance order
• Get routines on stage at the appropriate time to ensure that the event runs on schedule
• Communicate with the Audio Operator to inform them of performance order
• Set up the stage for Awards Ceremonies with the Awards Coordinator
• During awards ceremonies, work as a team to welcome and guide the dancers onto the stage safely
• Present the awards on stage as they are announced while congratulating dancers enthusiastically
• Attend to all other duties assigned by the Event Director(s) as needed

Skills Needed to Win:

• Enthusiastic and outgoing personality
• Comfortable working and interacting with children
• A sense of humor and the ability to make conversation with many different personalities
• Strong work ethic and the ability to anticipate challenges before they come up
• Ability to take initiative without direction
• Ability to work with others as a team
• Capable of standing for extended periods. Weekend work typically ranges from 30 to 40 hours
• Capable of lifting a minimum of 30 lbs to 50 lbs
• Dance/Entertainment industry background is a plus but not required

Who Thrives Here

Humble. You do the unglamorous work without being asked and without needing credit. You take feedback as a gift, not defensive. There's no job on site that's beneath you.

Hungry. You see the problem before it lands. You move with urgency. You'd rather be trusted with more than coast through less. You're the one asking "what else can I grab?"

Smart with people. You read a room. You can talk to a shy 7-year-old, a stressed studio director, and a teammate running on four hours of sleep — and leave all three better than you found them.

Be Part of the Team:

The job isn’t always easy, but that’s what makes it rewarding. You’ll be challenged, trusted, and pushed to grow while working alongside a team that cares deeply about what we do and the people we do it for. Bring your energy, your work ethic, and your heart. We’ll take care of the rest.

It's a passion, and we're dedicated to making an impact in the dance world. Join Team Journey!

Equal Opportunity Employer

Journey Dance Competition is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace that is free from discrimination of any kind. We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

What does all of this mean? We hire the best person for the job—regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, etc.

Click here to learn more about equal employment opportunity.