Sadly, I agree.
It can be a bit insulting to ballroom dancers who have worked so hard for years to have people think they can come in and learn it in a snap.

But what can you do? That's why I think in this case it'd be easier to just get a video - as all the advice given here would never be understood and used properly.

Of course a video will still leave you plodding around the floor, but that's better than the alternative of absolute chaos and confusion!

From a dance coach... this is the best advice.. go to a Prof... 3 / 4 basic variations are really all you need for the purpose at hand.. One minute in duration ( it will seem like an hr ! ).

Box step... Under arm turn... Twinkle and Progressive forward changes .

Find an up tempo Amer. syle waltz.. 32 / 34 BPM.

Thank you all for your help so far. I agree that this is a ridiculous task, and that ballroom dancing is by no means easy.

For the dress, should I use a floor length formal gown, or should I look for some other kind of dress with leg room?

A formal dress looks lovely but be careful of the length. Test it out first, can you dance backward without stepping on it? Also, will your heel get caught in the hem when you lift your foot? The best length is around or slightly above your ankles. Are you going to buy dance shoes? If not, don't wear anything with a slingback heel or a mule. It is impossible to go backward in those shoes. Heels should not be too high - 2 to 2 1/2 inches is best for stability. If you hair is long, tie it back or put it in a bun so it doesn't fling around your face and get stuck on your lipstick. False eyelashes look good and some sparkly eye shadow. Jewelry that sparkles is a good choice.

Also a point, I tend not to be the one who steps on my dress, but my partner does during heel leads. Make sure he is as comfortable with your dress as you are.

This is an enormous undertaking. Maybe you should do what they do on Dancing with the Stars and not really attempt the mechanics (because there is no way you are going to be able to dance them properly) and throw in a bunch of flash and lifts to hide what you don't know, AND get a pro to help you. Yes its expensive but if you get one who is good at choreography he can hide your deficiencies.

Wow!! Would not want to be in your shoes. I'm afraid I would refuse to try and learn something like this and perform it in front of people.

"In order to increase ticket sales for our company, we must choreograph ballroom dances for us and a well known member of the community."

Then you must hire a good ballroom instructor to create this choreography and train your company to approximately perform it.

You all have been very helpful, thank you so much.

I am just a high schooler, our company is not professional, it is just a part of a local dance school. Unfortunately, I am not able to hire an instructor, but I have just been watching youtube videos and it will probably be a very simple, boring piece. But thanks again!

If the costumes look nice and you can incorporate the few steps that Terence mentions, your dancers should be fine. Spend as much time on making sure the couples are holding frame properly and they will look pretty good -- even if the steps are simple or even slightly off. A professional eye would be a key in setting up proper framing, but it can be done by watching YouTube sessions in a pinch.
Local dance schools may not be "professional" in a certain sense, but they are an important part of the community and should strive for professionalism, no matter what type of event or dance is at hand. If there is any way to attend a ballroom dance event in your town or a nearby town, just to watch, or maybe make a connection with some good dancers who would take a look at your company at no charge, then that could be somewhat helpful.

As a coach of ballroom dance I don't think it is easy to just choreograph a routine having never danced ballroom before.

If you want to give it a shot I would recommend Nat King Coles 'Fascination' which is easy to dance to or if you fancy a challenge Dana Glover's 'It is you I have Loved'

Good luck! :)

You do realise this request is from 15 months past ?... ( he probably could have learnt a Bronze medal routine by now ! )