First published 17 years ago Look Before you Leap: an advice and rights guide for choreographers by Ann Whitley has been updated and reissued by Dance UK as part of its 30th year celebrations. Whilst aimed at choreographers, with topics covering everything from money through to public liability, this handbook is relevant to anyone working within the dance industry. Look Before You Leap contains comprehensive information set out clearly and concisely, allowing the reader to locate relevant information with ease. At the end of each chapter further reading is suggested where topics overlap, such as contract and copyright laws. This useful feature helps the reader when using the guide as a quick point of reference to gather important information without missing any vital facts.

Since the original guide was published in 1995, new chapters have been added in order to reflect current and future areas of employment. ‘Working as a choreographer on a cruise ship’ by Jennifer Fairfield and ‘Making a video archive of your work’ by Bennet Gartside are two of the new chapters that have been added alongside a new section discussing the Rayne Fellowships. The addition of these chapters not only highlights the career development support available to artists but also makes the guide useful to dance professions who do not work as choreographers. Chapters such as ’Health and Safety’ and ‘Working as a choreographer with schools and youth organisations’ cross over into teaching and become relevant to community dance artists and freelance teachers; and the chapters on ‘Agents and Managers’ and ‘Equity’ are relevant to dancers.

Dancers are aware that dance is not financially rewarding. Throughout my university career numerous discussions took place around this topic both in and out of the classroom. As I read the guide it became very apparent that students and early-career dance professionals should be made aware of the content of Look Before you Leap's chapters for they would benefit enormously from the wealth of knowledge provided by industry professionals contained within this publication's pages. Personal accounts are given amongst the facts; this help the reader to relate to the chapter’s content and draw attention to the importance of knowing and addressing your rights. By making students and early-career professionals aware of their rights and responsibilities it would not only help their careers but also benefit the industry too. The guide clearly states and explains a person’s legal rights which, in my opinion, will make it easier for professionals to discuss contract and pay issues with future employers and help them to protect themselves against any abuses.

Whitley states in the introduction that she and Dance UK wanted to prevent fractious events happening to choreographers surrounding their various rights whilst creating and showing work. Look Before You Leap addresses gaps in knowledge in the industry with the intention of stopping these. Although the main intention of the guide is to address common problems experienced by choreographers, I have developed a greater understanding of what is required to be a freelance dance artist and found ‘Registering as self-employed’ particularly helpful. From reading the guide I have also been given an insight into choreographing (a view that I have not gained during my education or practice) as well as an understanding of the legal work that goes in to creating a piece, touring and having it performed.

The final chapter in the guide consists of accounts from choreographers who have become Rayne Foundation Fellows. This section is refreshing and inspiring as every choreographer has taken a different approach to being a fellow and has achieved a great deal already in their careers. Many of the choreographers that contributed to the chapter were involved in the London 2012 Olympic ceremonies; this in itself is inspiring to young choreographers.

Look Before you Leap is a tremendous resource for the dance industry. I would recommend this publication to everyone in the dance industry and hope that universities and conservatoires will encourage their students to purchase and read it. Choreographers and other dance professionals will benefit from carrying the guide with them and referring to it when starting a new project.