Choreography Insights: Creating Dance Magic
Exploring the creative process behind choreography and performance.
Welcome back to another episode of Lyric in Motion. This week, I’m diving into the art of choreography. For those of you who are dancers, choreographers, or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes process of a Choreographer, this episode is for you.
The Choreographer's Journey
With over 20 years of experience in choreography and 30 years of performance, I've had the privilege of working across various platforms—from theme parks , cruise ships,to national tours. Currently, I’m in the thick of choreographing a new Christmas segment for the Country Roads USA show in Nashville, and it’s a wonderful reminder of the layers that go into creating a dance.
Starting with a Blank Canvas
Every choreography begins with a blank canvas. The process starts with me visualizing the end product. Often, I work from a pre-written script and music, allowing me to focus on how to bring the story to life through movement.
“Living with the music is key. I want to feel the dynamics and rhythms that will guide the choreography.”
— Laurin Floyd Turner
The Creative Process
When I step into the studio, my first task is to immerse myself in the music and script. Understanding the overall picture is essential, especially for variety shows that share different styles of dance.For example, when working on a piece, I consider the dynamics of the cast, the stage setup, and the transitions between numbers, ensuring everything flows cohesively.
Adapting on the Fly
Choreography is not just about having a set plan; it requires flexibility. Sometimes, the steps I envision don't translate perfectly when teaching them to the cast. That's where adaptability comes in. Knowing the cast’s strengths and weaknesses is crucial, especially in situations where I might not have a say in the casting process. Having access to their reels or social media helps me understand how to tailor the choreography to suit them.
Conclusion
Creating choreography is an intricate process that goes beyond just setting steps to music. It involves a collaboration with a team from the writer/director to the sound and lights. An understanding of the storyline, the cast, and considering external factors like stage conditions. Knowing when to create dynamic moments that fit with the dynamics of the song. Having flexibility/ options to change phrases on the spot and skills in Teaching the choreography you have created.
I encourage fellow dancers and choreographers to share their experiences and methods—there’s so much we can learn from one another.
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