CHOREOGRAPHY TIPS AND TRICKS
Choreography is all of the movement that you use in your songs. It can be very different depending on the style and mood of the songs. However, the ONE TRUE purpose of choreography is to help TELL THE STORY of the characters onstage. Sometimes it is DANCE sometimes it is MOVEMENT, sometimes it is GESTURE. Musical Theater is not just ONE style, however there is a clear stereotype of musical theater choreography. Here is an example! |
ContemporaryThis is a style of dance that you is deeply emotional. It has roots in ballet. Movements are purposeful and expressive.
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GesturalThis is a style of movement that is based in pantomime. It is every day movements that are stretched or manipulated to fit to music and emotion. This can often help with TRANSITIONS
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SoloSometimes a character has a solo that requires movement from the other cast members. This is a great way of adding emotional depth and interest to a solo.
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Teaching actors Choreography
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What challenges do you think your group will face? How can you create and prepare choreography that challenges the group, fits the song and is within reach?
Get Inspired
Once you know you want to choreograph, where can you look for inspiration? When it comes to the movement itself, Okada suggests giving yourself a simple task, like creating a few 8 counts or phrases of material based on what you do the chorus of the song. Then, play around with that movement. Try speeding a phrase up, slowing one down or rearranging the sequence.
Be Prepared—But Not Rigid
Prepare for rehearsals ahead of time by having your music on hand and sketching out what you aim to complete each day. But once you’re in the studio, be open to deviating from your plan and to what a dancer might add to your concept. Even the best ideas can get better.
Get Your Message Across
Don't be afraid to use video and share it with your dancers.
Some dancers are quick to learn new material. Others may need time to comprehend your steps. . Teach your movement in a way that makes sense to the dancer who’ll perform it, whether that’s dancing with them in front of a mirror or telling the story of how you created a phrase. You can even ask the dancers themselves to create movement that you then put together. If they are invested in the process often they will remember better. However, don't let them take over- be clear about what you want.
Keep Things Fresh
Above all else, stay true to your unique voice. “It’s easy for beginning choreographers to look at a dance they really like and try to imitate the things that they like about it,” Jablonski says. It’s good to be inspired by others, but as you work, check in with yourself every once in a while to make sure that the dance you’re making is coming from you.
At the end of the day, remember to put things in perspective. “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to make something ‘good,’ because that’s when you end up with a disaster,” Jablonski says. “It’s dance. It’s fun!”
What challenges do you think your group will face? How can you create and prepare choreography that challenges the group, fits the song and is within reach?
Get Inspired
Once you know you want to choreograph, where can you look for inspiration? When it comes to the movement itself, Okada suggests giving yourself a simple task, like creating a few 8 counts or phrases of material based on what you do the chorus of the song. Then, play around with that movement. Try speeding a phrase up, slowing one down or rearranging the sequence.
Be Prepared—But Not Rigid
Prepare for rehearsals ahead of time by having your music on hand and sketching out what you aim to complete each day. But once you’re in the studio, be open to deviating from your plan and to what a dancer might add to your concept. Even the best ideas can get better.
Get Your Message Across
Don't be afraid to use video and share it with your dancers.
Some dancers are quick to learn new material. Others may need time to comprehend your steps. . Teach your movement in a way that makes sense to the dancer who’ll perform it, whether that’s dancing with them in front of a mirror or telling the story of how you created a phrase. You can even ask the dancers themselves to create movement that you then put together. If they are invested in the process often they will remember better. However, don't let them take over- be clear about what you want.
Keep Things Fresh
Above all else, stay true to your unique voice. “It’s easy for beginning choreographers to look at a dance they really like and try to imitate the things that they like about it,” Jablonski says. It’s good to be inspired by others, but as you work, check in with yourself every once in a while to make sure that the dance you’re making is coming from you.
At the end of the day, remember to put things in perspective. “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to make something ‘good,’ because that’s when you end up with a disaster,” Jablonski says. “It’s dance. It’s fun!”