Prepare the camera equipment in advance. In most cases, you will need a camera with a quick shutter speed, several prime lenses featuring large apertures, one or more zoom lenses with large apertures and a good camera flash. If you’re using more than one camera, set up one for action shots and the other for group shots and still photos. Make sure you have enough batteries and memory cards on hand to last the entire performance.
Choose a seating placement that provides the best view of the stage without frequent seating changes.
Configure the camera for action shots under low light conditions. Use high ISO values and the largest aperture available to compensate for the lack of light.
Capture the dancers using the widest shot possible. The constant movement will make it hard to crop the pictures during the shoot. Set the camera to manual focus, as the automatic focus may not be able to keep up with the dancers’ movement.
Alternate between single shot mode for poses that last several seconds and burst mode for quick dance movements that can’t be captured easily. Use the camera controls to switch modes and hold the shutter button down one to three seconds to create burst shots.
Refrain from using the flash during the performance. Many theaters and concert halls prohibit flash photography during performances. Some venues allow the use of a flash during the close of the performance, when the dancers are bowing to the audience.