Stress
Oh, yeah, be prepared for stress as a choreographer. You're the one in control, and being the one in control isn't always what it's cracked up to be. If the dance turns out to be a big sloppy mess, it's your fault. The buck stops with you, and you're going to take all the flak for it. The pressure of managing the overall picture can really take a toll.
On top of dealing with your own stress, you'll also have to deal with the stress of others. When your star dancer starts hyperventilating on opening night, there's a good chance that you're the one who'll need to get her to chill out. Even though you might be flipping out on the inside, you've got to at least act like you have it together.
We recommend having a good-sized stash of paper bags ready to go. You can use them to help your dancers breath though the anxiety, then you'll have some left over for yourself once they go on stage.
There's also the stress of simply surviving. We keep harping on it, but most choreographers' lives are about as stable as a small volcanic island. There's no job security, barely any cash, and constant, grueling work. Stressful enough for ya?